The wooden ship that sailed into Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is preparing for a very different kind of adventure. The Draken Harald Hårfagre, used as Odysseus’ ship in the film, is heading for maintenance in Norway in spring 2027. Its owners are now inviting volunteers to help keep the remarkable vessel sailing.
The work will involve hands-on repairs, scraping, tarring, painting, and other maintenance tasks. In return, volunteers will receive meals and accommodation, although they must arrange their own travel to Norway.
From Hollywood to the shipyard
Nolan’s production used the real Draken rather than relying entirely on a computer-generated vessel. The ship gave the film a physical presence at sea and connected a modern film production with traditional wooden shipbuilding.
The vessel is not a historically accurate Greek ship from the Late Bronze Age, the period associated with the traditional setting of the Odyssey. Instead, it draws inspiration from Viking ships, which appeared many centuries later.
Commissioned by Norwegian entrepreneur Sigurd Aase in 2010, the Draken was built in Norway and launched in 2012. It measures about 35 meters (115 feet) in length and has a single mast approximately 24 meters (79 feet) tall.
Its design draws on historical Viking shipbuilding, including the overlapping oak planks used in traditional wooden vessels. The ship later crossed the North Atlantic in 2016, when its crew recreated a Viking voyage from Norway to Newfoundland.
Since then, the Draken has continued to support maritime education, public events, and voyages. Its role in The Odyssey brought it to a new international audience.
What will volunteers do?
The ship’s official website lists maintenance and preparation work for April 2027 in Kopervik, Norway. The tasks include scraping the hull, replacing weakened planks, applying tar, painting, rigging, rope work, and general repairs.
The work is practical rather than a tourist experience. Volunteers will help maintain a large wooden vessel and support the people responsible for keeping it seaworthy.
The official volunteer program says applicants must be at least 18 years old. Previous experience is not essential, but knowledge of wooden ships, maintenance, or related crafts is an advantage. The project also looks for people who are reliable, physically and mentally fit, and able to work as part of a team.
How to apply
The maintenance period is scheduled to run from April 10 to May 15, 2027, according to reports about the project. Volunteers can apply for a shorter period or offer to help for longer, depending on the available arrangements.
Meals and accommodation are generally provided. Volunteers must pay for their own transportation to and from Norway. Applicants living outside Norway must also provide proof of travel insurance if selected, according to the official website.
Those interested can find the current opportunities and application details on the official Draken volunteer page.
For film fans, the opportunity offers a rare way to get close to a vessel that appeared in a major Hollywood production. But the project has a purpose beyond the screen: helping preserve a working wooden ship and the maritime skills needed to keep it sailing.
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