# Volunteers Needed for Maintenance of Historic Draken Harald Hårfagre Ship The vessel featured in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey requires public assistance for restoration. - **Source:** [Popular Science](https://www.popsci.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/66483b24-b5d8-42f9-bef1-48eaa8028a12 ## Restoration of Cinematic Vessel The Draken Harald Hårfagre, a massive wooden ship featured in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, requires volunteers for upcoming maintenance. This 50-oar vessel served as a practical set piece in the film, highlighting the director's preference for physical props over computer-generated imagery to achieve an authentic, epic scale for the production. ## Historical Viking Design Roots Commissioned in 2010 by Sigurd Aase, the ship measures 114 feet in length and 26 feet in width. Its design is based on historical Viking skaldic poems and the famous Gokstad ship from 890 CE. Despite its role in a Bronze Age film, the vessel represents a modern reconstruction of ancient Nordic maritime engineering. ## Transatlantic Sailing Heritage The Draken has a storied history beyond its Hollywood appearances, including a successful transatlantic crossing from Norway to Newfoundland in 2016. A crew of 100 rowers completed this journey, effectively recreating historic Viking routes. Today, the ship travels globally for educational tours and exhibitions, serving as a floating museum for maritime enthusiasts. ## Maintenance Schedule and Tasks Routine maintenance is scheduled to begin on April 10, 2027, and will conclude on May 15. The work involves clinking the hull, replacing weakened oak planks, and scraping away ocean grime. Additionally, volunteers will assist with re-tarring and painting the exterior to preserve the structural integrity of the massive wooden frame. ## Volunteer Application Requirements Applications are open to anyone over 18 years old who can travel to Norway by April 2027. While the project welcomes general enthusiasts, preference is given to those with prior experience in wooden ship maintenance. Volunteers can choose to participate in one-week windows or commit to the full five-week duration of the project. ## Logistics and Support Provided The organization provides meals and accommodations for all accepted volunteers throughout the four-week endeavor. This hands-on opportunity allows participants to learn about the vessel's construction and the community efforts required to keep such a historic ship operational. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications through the official project website as soon as possible. ## Cinematic Context and Accuracy While the Draken is not period-accurate for the Late Bronze Age setting of The Odyssey, it provided the necessary physical presence for the film. The movie also features contemporary English dialogue and modern casting choices, suggesting that the ship's inclusion prioritizes visual impact and practical utility over strict historical or archaeological fidelity. ## Future Operational Readiness Once the maintenance period concludes in May 2027, the Draken will be fully restored and ready for future exhibitions or potential film roles. This cycle of routine care ensures the ship remains a functional piece of living history, capable of navigating international waters while continuing its mission of public education and global maritime outreach. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.popsci.com/technology/odyssey-movie-ship-repair-volunteers/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._