American archaeologist drowns after Viking ship model sinks

An American archaeologist has died after the replica boat she was piloting capsized in rough seas during an expedition from the Faroe Islands to Norway.

There were six people on board the Naddoddur when it ran into trouble on Tuesday evening – the fourth day of the voyage – and a distress signal was sent out.

Only five people made it into the inflatable life raft. They were then airlifted to safety.

Finally, the body of a woman was found on Wednesday morning near where the boat sank.

The US State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen “off the coast of Norway” but declined to comment further “out of respect for the family’s privacy”.

“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” the news agency told BBC News.

Norwegian media identified the dead woman as Karla Dana, 29.

A blog maintained by the group contains several entries written by Ms Dana. In a post that appears to have been written before they set off, she describes feeling anxious about the expedition as she watched online videos of the North Sea.

“It’s hard to keep the excitement from turning to fear when you see waves crashing into giant modern boats like toys,” she wrote in a post published on Wednesday.

“But the North Sea is wildly beautiful, a reminder of the raw power of nature, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this adventure.”

Dana’s body was found trapped under the capsized boat, Faroe Islands news website local.fo reported

The Norwegian Sea Rescue Association (NSSR) described the conditions when the boat capsized as very severe, posted a video of strong winds and rough seas west of Stad town.

The agency said waves were up to 5m (16ft) high and winds were up to 40 knots.

According to Dana’s LinkedIn profile, she is an archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age, with work and study experience in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, England, Germany, Morocco, China and Taiwan.

In 2023, Dana joined the Florida chapter of the Explorers Club.

The Explorers Club is a prestigious international organization founded in 1904 by Arctic explorers to promote scientific research and discovery.

Joseph Dituri, president of the Florida chapter of The Explorers Club, which sponsored Dana’s membership last year, said her death was a reminder “that we make these dangerous expeditions and discoveries seem easy, but they are not.”

“This brave explorer left this planet doing what she loved far too soon,” he told BBC News.

“Her spirit of discovery is evident in everything she does as well as her passion for life! The world is a better place with her in it.”

Dr Dituri, who holds the Guinness World Record for spending 100 days in an underwater habitat, said Dana had started her master’s degree in archaeology in June at the University of the Highlands and Islands on its remote Orkney Island campus.

“I am happy to say I am living my dream,” said Dr Dituri, as she completed the first excavation that uncovered Iron Age Viking artefacts in the Orkney Islands.

She previously led a project in Costa Rica, conducting ethnographic field research with the indigenous Ngöbe tribe. Her work culminated in a book on the tribe’s language, myths, and traditions.

Bergur Jacobsen, president of the Naddoddur sailing club on the Faroe Islands, told the BBC that everyone was very sad about what had happened.

He explained that this 10m long boat was once used by Vikings on voyages to Iceland, Shetland and Norway.

“It’s not a Viking boat, but a fishing boat from the Faroe Islands with no engine but a sail.”

He said he could not talk about the crash because the Norwegian investigation team was due to speak to him soon.

Locals are said to be in shock over the accident, with one sailor telling the BBC that tourists were keen to join the boat trips, although he himself would not be doing so.

The expedition was postponed for several days due to bad weather until Saturday.

One of the four Swiss nationals on the trip, Andy Fitze, posted a map on social media two days after departure, showing the boat was north-east of Shetland.

Before the trip, Faroese crew member Livar Nysted said that when in the middle of a storm, “you just try to do the best you can.”

“It’s an open boat. You sleep under the stars and when it rains or is windy, you can feel the elements.”

This expedition is not affiliated with Viking Cruises.

With additional reporting from Max Matza