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NLIS 5
May 3, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


Minister calls for volunteer crew for Islendingur, Viking replica longship

Wanted - Stout-hearted sailors with good sea legs to crew the Viking replica longship Islendingur as she makes her way to 10 ports around the province.

While that may have been a recruitment opportunity in Scandinavia 1,000 years ago, it is in fact a crew call for this summer as the Vikings! 1000 Years Celebrations extends an unprecedented sailing opportunity to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

After the Islendingur arrives at L�Anse aux Meadows on July 28, she will take on three local sailors for each leg of the journey. While the Islendingur�s core crew will be in place to navigate the vessel, 27 temporary volunteer crew members are being sought for the province-wide tour.

"This is without a doubt one of the ultimate interactive experiences of our Vikings! 1000Years Celebrations, as people will actually get an exciting chance to Make the Journey," says Tourism Minister Charles Furey, adding the project is a chance for people from throughout the province to follow in Leif Ericson�s footsteps.

"The opportunity to sail a Viking replica longship into a port of cheering people will have to be the voyage of a lifetime for any Newfoundland or Labrador mariner," Furey adds.

Participation is voluntary for the project, which is open to male or female sailors 19 years of age and older, with some or a great deal of sailing experience. Successful candidates would be required to arrange their own transportation to their respective ports of departure and arrival. It is anticipated volunteer crew will each cover one leg of the 10-stop Islendingur tour.

"History will come to life for those who take part in each of these brief but exciting trips," Furey said, adding that the volunteer crews will be determined through a selection process conducted by the Marine Advisory Committee for the Islendingur.

"There's no doubt, our corporate sponsors and thousands of volunteers are enabling us to bring Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations to many areas of the province," Furey said. "The beauty of the Islendingur crewing project is that it will enable Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to bring the Viking celebrations to each other."

Applications for the Islendingur crew project are available by calling (709) 724-9063 or toll-free 1-877-793-CREW (2739) or by visiting the web site at: www.gov.nl.ca/vikings. All applications must be received by May 26.

Media Contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-3813.

2000 05 03                                         4:55 p.m.


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