America's 250th on Great Bay

In the cockpit of the Viking 58, from left: Robyn Boerstling of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA); Kaitlyn Healey; Justin Healey; Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Manager Robin Donahue; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Justin “J” Shirley; Viking President and CEO Pat Healey; Sean Healey; and NMMA’s Bryan Spadaro. On the flybridge, from left, are John DePersenaire, Viking Director of Government Affairs & Sustainability, and Viking’s Stan Jackson.

Viking Yacht Company hosted a South Jersey stop of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Great American Expedition earlier this week, part of the national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The campaign is taking the America 250 flag to DOI-managed lands and waters across the country, with the National Marine Manufacturers Association coordinating boat expeditions.



Pat Healey was joined by his children Sean, Justin and Kaitlyn Healey, underscoring Viking’s multigenerational family ownership.

The Viking 58 heads from the Bass River toward the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.



The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects coastal marshes, shallow coves and other habitat around Great Bay, while supporting fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. Great Bay also has a direct connection to Viking: These waters have long been used for sea trials, testing and product development. The event brought together American boatbuilding, conservation and access to public waters.

For Pat Healey, bringing the Great American Expedition to Viking has special meaning. “I grew up in this area. The Healey family, we’ve been here 62 years on this river. This is the Bass River that leads to the Mullica River, and then we were out in Great Bay. It’s just a wonderful thing.”

Viking Sales Professional Jacob Addis leads a factory tour as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Justin “J” Shirley looks on.

The visit continued inside Viking’s New Gretna plant, giving federal and industry guests a closer look at the people and processes behind the boats. Founded in 1964, Viking has delivered more than 6,000 boats and employs 1,850 boatbuilders across its manufacturing, engineering, service, sales and administrative operations.