The Viking Ship Museum's boatyard built a Faroese 'seksæring' for the Museum's sailing service.
The boat was launched on 23rd April. It was built by boatbuilder Hanus Jensen with help from Ture M. Møller.
The boat was called Geirfuglen, the Nordic name for the auk bird, also known as the 'Nordic penguin'. 'Geirfugl' could swim incredibly fast but were slow and clumsy on land, and therefore easy to catch. They were used as provision on board ships and died out in the Faroes during the 19th century.
Geirfuglen is a Faroese 'seksæring' - a boat with six pairs of oars.
In order to fully explore the new boat's potential, the Faroese rowing club, 'Knørrur' were invited to take part in the launch and the first rowing trip. You can see that they've tried this before.
Another of the Museum's Faroese boats, Trolle, an ottemannarfar - eight men, four pairs of oars - were there to welcome the new boat. Hanus also built Trolle.
Geirfuglen lived up to all expectations: beautiful and light to row, and fast in the water - just like Geirfuglen.
The boat comes immediately into use with the Museum's sailing service. Here, a group is given instructions on how to row before taking a trip on Roskilde Fjord.
This Faroese boat has Norwegian stem tops, as they say on the Faroe Islands.
Geirfuglen sailing on Roskilde Fjord in strong winds and with two reefs, with a school class on board.
