Do you know anyone with an historic ship? York would like to give one a berth

The city with just about everything historic could use a riverside attraction. Step forward Vikings, Jack Tars or navies with redundant craft

A mooring at Kings Staith on the River Ouse in the City of York

Start your raiding and pillaging here. The mooring site at Kings Staith on the River Ouse. Photograph: City of York

Calling all Vikings... The city which once trembled at the prospect of longboats with eagles and ravens on their sails would be very pleased to have one sail along and berth beside historic King's Staith.

The city council has decided to make a mooring available as part of its policy of promoting the river Ouse – except when flood-minded – and adding to the wealth of exceptional history within the famous walls.

I say a Viking ship. Provided she fits within these dimensions - Length 134ft, Beam 24ft 6ins, Air Draught 21ft 6in, Draught 8ft – any boat could be Napoleonic, ironclad or something from the leisurely marine life of Henley-on-Thames or the Lake District. She wouldn't go anywhere; that's a market well catered-for in York, whereas the absence of static interesting vessels, on the lines of HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool HMS Warrior at Portsmouth or HMS Belfast in London, is something which the city has long felt.

There isn't room for anything as big as the trio above, but there's a great range of craft potentially available on the excellent National Historic Ships website.

The council says:

We are coming up to an important year for York in 2012, as we celebrates 800 years since the granting of the Royal Charter to create a self-governing city.Various events are being planned across the City some of which will focus on the River.
In addition, the City plays host to the Festival of the Rivers annually with events such as dragon boat racing, floating arts venues and 'come and try' activities. It is the Council's intention to work in partnership with the vessel's owner to promote the vessel as an additional venue within the City for events and to incorporate it into the many Festivals the City hosts.

Map showing a mooring at Kings Staith on the River Ouse in York

Here it is again, if any of your crew prefer charts. Photograph: City of York Council

Kings Staith is right by the main shopping centre of Coney Street and has the highest 'pedestrian footfall' in the city where approaching 7,000,000 visitors now amble about. The ship won't need planning permission but any substantial mooring works or visitor kiosks etc probably would.

You can be an organisation, a museum or an historic ships enthusiast whose spouse desperately wants to get the garden back. For more details contact the city council's property surveyors on 01904 553358 or valerie.inwood@york.gov.uk