The Minnesota Vikings brought in a host of football consultants during their bye week in attempts to salvage a season that has started at 1-3. Looks like they`ll be needing a little more consulting – of the legal variety this week – following reports about a team party last week.

At least 17 Vikings players are being investigated in connection with a yacht excursion-turned-sex cruise last week on Lake Minnetonka.

The incident took place during the Vikings bye week, the Thursday after they lost 30-10 to the Atlanta Falcons as 6-point underdogs. Reports of the behavior weren’t made public until late Tuesday.

The Vikings travel to Chicago this weekend for their NFC North opener against the Bears where Chicago is installed as a 3-point home favorite and the total is set at 37. Sharing two yachts among 90 people, eyewitnesses recalled behavior on the cruise including oral sex, masturbation and playing with sex toys according to a story in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Direct sources also indicate that sex acts took place between consenting adults, including Vikings players having public sex on at least one of the boats.

“The behavior was terrible,” Stephen Doyle, attorney for Al & Alma`s Supper Club and Charter Cruises, told the Star Tribune. “Vikings were absolutely participating. This was not a passive event for them. It was outrageous. The crewmembers, including one who was 18, were petrified for their safety.”

Suspicions arose when the crew noticed partially exposed women walking around. They were confirmed when one employee opened a galley and three nude women sprung out.

The crew also saw women giving lap dances for money, and were offered tips if they danced.

“They [the captains] had to step around people who were having sex on the floor,” Doyle said. “They were thinking it couldn`t be safe out in the middle of the lake. It was a petrifying scene.”

After just 40 minutes of a 3-½ hour cruise, supervisors learned of the alleged behavior and ordered the boats to return to shore.

The party was organized by Fred Smoot [pictured], the team’s first year cornerback. It is customary for Vikings rookies to organize an excursion for teammates and any of their family members who wish to attend.

Doyle declined to identify any of the other players who boarded the boats.