GREEN BAY - The largest modern Viking ship will only get to Green Bay with a lot of help from its friends.

The Draken Harald Hårfagre, which was set to continue its voyage to Green Bay for the Tall Ship Festival in August, needs to raise $430,000 for the unanticipated cost of having to hire a pilot to navigate the Great Lakes. When they left Norway for the United States, the boat's crew mistakenly believed they qualified for an exemption to a federal law that requires all foreign ships to take on a pilot when navigating the Great Lakes.

The ship will head back to Norway if funds are not met.

The Sons of Norway Foundation, a Minnesota-based organization, launched a public fundraiser in order to keep the Norwegian ship on its course through the Great Lakes. The fundraiser had collected about $25,000 through Friday afternoon.

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PMI Entertainment Group, the organizer of the Tall Ship Festival in Green Bay, said it, along with other ports hosting the Great Lakes Tall Ship Challenge, would be willing to pitch in more than the current fee each port pays to the ship. PMI did not say how much that extra donation may be.

Terry Charles, public relations manager for PMI, said the ship is likely to announce early next week whether it has raised enough funds to continue its voyage.

The ship was scheduled to stop at 11 Great Lakes ports in cities that are home to many of Norwegian descent, so the Viking replica would resonate with many people, Charles said.

The ship also has a unique feature among others taking part in the Tall Ship Challenge.

"It's not something people get to see a lot," Charles said. "What's unique about the ship is that it's all powered by rows and sails. There are no motors."

Charles said that while the ship would be a great addition to the Tall Ship Festival, there is much to look forward to without it.

"I'll be disappointed if it can't come," Charles said, "but we'll have a lot to offer. We have eight other ships and we can look at the possibility of replacing (the Viking) with another ship."

To donate to the Sons of Norway fundraiser, go to and follow her on Twitter @jacyzollar

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