About Our Captains
Captain Paul G Forsberg – Owner/Operator of the Viking Fleet
A brief history of the story so far…..
My father, Captain Carl Forsberg, founded the Viking Fleet in 1936 in Freeport, New York. I was a mate on my father’s Freeport Viking boats until 1951. In 1951, when I was 12 years old, my father relocated the business and our family to Montauk, New York.
At 12 years of age, I owned my own 24-ft. boat in Montauk. I worked in various commercial fisheries from 1951 to 1957. In 1957, at the age of 18, I received my 100-Ton Captain’s License. From 1957 to 1959 I ran my own charter fishing boat. From 1959 to 1991, I was involved in the party boat fishing business in Montauk during the summer. During the winter, I worked on commercial draggers.
The Viking Fleet, which is a year-round operation, consists of three party fishing boats, one highspeed ferry, one commercial fishing vessel, one cruise vessel and the Viking Fivestar, available for private charter and offshore open trips.
We are the largest privately owned fishing fleet on the northeast coast. The fleet is owned and operated by myself and my son, Steven Sr. Two of my grandsons (Carl and Steven Jr.) have both earned their 100-Ton Captain’s Licenses and operate the Viking boats.
Currently Viking Fleet operates fishing boats out of Montauk NY, Tarpon Springs FL and New Bedford MA.
I am proudly holding issue 11 (55 years plus!) of my 100-Ton Captain’s License and continue to run the boats in New York and Florida. Fishing is in my blood; it is how my family have provided for ourselves and our many full-time employees. Fishing and operating our ferry boats is not a part-time or second career for any us — it is what we do. For this reason, I continue to fight tirelessly on my own time and at my own expense for the rights of recreational fishermen everywhere.
Captain Paul is currently based in Tarpon Springs, FL, where he lives with his lady, Patricia. He spends time on the Viking Freedom, a sail-assisted commercial research vessel, that he uses to research virgin grounds. In 1996 Captain Paul found some fantastic new porgy grounds in New Bedford, MA, and since then we have been fishing every year out of New Bedford.
Captain Paul has seven grandchildren and nine super cute great-grandchildren, with one on the way! In fact, the fourth generation is now captaining the boats! Captain Paul lives a very active life! Along with running one of the largest year-round businesses in Montauk, he enjoys lots of dancing, motorcycling, exercising, skiing, sailing and of course, fishing.
Captain Steven D. Forsberg
I was born and raised in Montauk, New York – fishing capital of the world! As a small child, I grew up fishing with my father Captain Paul Forsberg from the time I could walk. Fishing is the only job I have ever had. In fact, I could not see myself doing anything else! As a child, I started off working deck, and as soon as I earned my Captain’s license I began running the Viking Boats. In the eighties, my brother Paul B. Forsberg and I made a living by commercial fishing during the winters. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity of trying several different types of commercial fishing, from long lining, dragging, scalloping, gillnetting to pin hooking, but in my heart recreational fishing is where I love to be. I have pioneered the offshore party boat tuna fishing and continue to love running the offshore deepwater challenge trips. Nowadays a lot of my time is spent in the Viking Office scheduling the trips, boats and crew. My role in the company has evolved into a managerial position, ensuring that every boat sails on time and is running in tip-top shape. I spend long hours sweating it out in the engine rooms of all of our boats. That said, I would rather be at the helm any day of the week than sitting behind a desk! I have a great interest in marine construction and I enjoyed designing and building our latest vessel, the Viking Fivestar, with my father and son.
Captain Steven lives in Montauk with his wife and their two children. Captain Steven’s son, Steven Jr., has followed in his father’s footsteps and is helping him run the Montauk operation. Captain Steven’s two older daughters are based in Florida. Captain Steven enjoys fishing for a living and recreationally. He is a fantastic cook and enjoys cooking for the whole family. If you need a fish recipe, he is your man. During the winter, Captain Steven’s garage becomes headquarters, and it’s there that you will find him and his crew working on his latest project.
Captain Carl Forsberg
I was born and raised in Montauk, NY and basically raised on the Viking vessels. My father took me and my brother out fishing on an overnight cod trip to Georges Banks when I was just 5 years old, and from that time on I would go with him every chance I got. As soon as I was old enough, I work decked as a mate whenever I was not in school. After I graduated high school, I took college classes in California for business during the winters and would come back to Montauk to work in the summers. After college, I got my Captain’s License at age 20 and started running the boats. I would run the Full Day Fluke and Sea Bass boats, as well as the Night Striped Bass trips. I was also Captain on the overnight Tuna and Cod Trips. I then went to Florida and started running the multi-day trips on the Viking Superstar out of Tarpon Springs fishing for Grouper, Amberjacks, Snapper, King Mackerel and everything else during the Winter and Summertime. Eventually, I moved back to Montauk, NY full time and have been Captain on every trip we do. Whether it is a ½ Day trip, or an overnight tuna trip, or winter Cod, or even running our ferry and whale watch cruises. I love fishing for both bottom fish as well as the Pelagic, and there is no place I would rather be than on the water.
Captain Steven N. Forsberg Jr.
I was born and raised in Montauk, growing up on the Viking dock. In fact, I sailed on my first two-day tuna trip at age 5. By age 8 I was working as a mate on a charter boat, and by age 11 or 12 I was a regular mate on the Viking Fleet party boats. At age 18 I earned my Captain’s License, and by age 19 I had upgraded to my 100-Ton License. That fall I began running the two-day tuna trips and have never looked back. I love all kinds of fishing, but offshore fishing is my passion. My family has been involved in the party boat fishing industry for four generations. I currently work in our family business with my Grandfather Paul, my father Steven and my cousin Carl. The industry is changing, and we here at the Viking Fleet intend to change with it. Captain Steven Jr. runs our newest vessel, the Viking Fivestar, where he takes out private charters and open-boat trips. These consist of offshore trips for tile, tuna, swordfish, shark and mahi or local fishing for striped bass, fluke, sea bass, blackfish and cod.
Captain David Marmeno
I was born and raised on Long Island. I grew up with the Great South Bay as my childhood playground. At an early age, I began clamming from the shore. I managed to dig enough clams to buy my first boat. I was 12 years old. She was a 16-foot wood Sea Skiff with a forty horsepower outboard. I used this boat to go clamming and to drift in the Fire Island Inlet. These magical days fostered a deep love in my heart for being on the water as well as a love for boats of all shapes and sizes. I was the kid who was always hanging around the many boatyards in my town, learning maintenance and repairs. Even after all these years I still enjoy maintaining the boats I am responsible for.
I graduated from high school and then went on to college and earned a degree in Marine Biology. During my college years, I discovered Montauk, my own wonderland. I made many trips out east to surf, fish or scuba dive. All the time Montauk was a place I wished I would be able to live. Sometimes wishes do come true. I finished college in 1986 and moved back west and took a job in aquaculture. I held this position for a year and a half. Having a regular 9 to 5 job left me with some spare time. I began a restoration project on an old 1937 motor yacht, which became my pride and joy as well as my home for many years. Though I enjoyed my aquaculture job, I did not like living up island, so I took my boat and myself and moved lock stock and barrel to Montauk. I found work as a mate aboard the Viking Starlight where I worked under Captain Richie Rade. He was one of Montauk’s finest porgy fishermen and was a long time mentor of mine. I loved my job and learned so much, and realized (to my joy!) I could make a living going fishing every day. The years flew by and I finally got around to earning my Captain’s License. This cemented my career plan and I am now proudly in my 20th year as a full-time Viking employee.
Captain David Marmeno is currently living in Montauk with his wife and their two daughters. When he is not running one of the Viking boats, Captain Dave is aboard his own recreational boat fishing or having fun! In the offseason, Captain Dave is very involved in the Montauk Fire Department. Captain Dave also enjoys outdoor activities like surfing, skiing and motorcycling. Captain Dave was awarded the Viking Employee of the year award in 2006.