schedule
site map
supporters
contact us
BLUENOSE II History Under Sail!
Image courtesy of Sherman Hines © Sherman Hines

BLUENOSE II
Lunenburg Marine Museum Society

Schooner BLUENOSE II - 2010 & 2011 RESTORATION SCHEDULE

Schedule may change without notice.
For more information please contact:
Capt Wayne Walters, Director of Operations
(902) 634-8483 or toll free at: 1-877-441-0347
To follow the restoration, check the links on our restoration gallery page.

Friday, September 9th, 2011
Communities, Culture and Heritage

The restoration of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador Bluenose II reached another milestone today

The restoration of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador Bluenose II reached another milestone today, Sept. 9, as the last plank, known as the whiskey plank, was attached to the vessel's hull.
Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson was joined by local officials and employees of the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance on the Lunenburg waterfront for the event.
"The innovation and skill of our master boatbuilders is ensuring Bluenose II will keep our proud marine heritage alive for residents and visitors alike," said Mr. Wilson. "This helps the companies involved to compete for future work that can create economic opportunities for Nova Scotians."
A visitors centre is providing daily tours of the construction site on the town's waterfront. There has been a steady flow of people taking advantage of the unique opportunity to see the Nova Scotia icon being restored.
"As this project has unfolded here in Lunenburg, the world has had a front row seat to history being rebuilt," said Mr. Wilson. "Many visitors have seen the tremendous skill and pride of our skilled Nova Scoria boatbuilders as Bluenose II's legacy is renewed for decades to come."
A consortium of three Nova Scotia boatbuilders, the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance is leading the construction of the schooner.
The restoration of Bluenose II is being funded by both the provincial and federal governments.
The federal government is contributing almost $5 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for hull reconstruction that will be completed by Oct. 31. The work involves replacing the wood hull, frames and planking of the ship with improved laminated wood frames and conventional planking materials using traditional boat building methods.
Information about the Bluenose II restoration and links to webcams streaming images can be found at www.schoonerbluenose2.ca

Monday, May 9th, 2011
Communities, Culture and Heritage

The restoration of Bluenose II on the Lunenburg waterfront continues to make history and create good jobs

The restoration of Bluenose II on the Lunenburg waterfront continues to make history and create good jobs that grow the economy. The first plank, or garboard, of the vessel's rebuilt hull was attached today, May 9, at the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance construction site.
"Once again the Bluenose legacy is drawing the world's attention to Lunenburg," said MLA Pam Birdsall, who attended the milestone on behalf of Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage David Wilson. "Our master boat builders are combining tradition with modern innovation to secure the future for Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador."
Major construction for the restoration project began in the fall with images broadcasting on the Internet. A visitors centre has been providing guided tours of the construction site since January.
"This is a rare opportunity to get a close look at a large-scale wooden boat-building project," said Ms. Birdsall. "And it is helping the companies involved with the construction compete for future work that can create economic opportunities for Nova Scotians."
The vessel's hull has been rebuilt using Angelique timber that is more resistant to rotting, and modern laminating techniques that will prevent hogging, which is when the keel sags towards the waterline. The modern boat building methods will create a stronger hull for Bluenose II and help to reduce the need for extensive maintenance.
The province announced the $14.8-million restoration of Bluenose II in 2009. The project is receiving funding from the provincial government and the federal government's infrastructure stimulus program.
Bluenose II will return to sail in the summer of 2012. Images of the restoration project can be viewed at www.novascotiawebcams.com/south-shore/bluenose-ii.html .

Monday, October 18th, 2010

The Bluenose II Visitor Information Office is now operational.

The location is at the Lunenburg Shipyard just steps from where the restoration of Bluenose II is being done.
At this time we are still putting together a site for the public to be able to view the actual work. This should be in place sometime in November.
We are near the completion of the deconstruction phase and will soon be moving into the "Big Boat Shed". It should be in place soon and we will be starting the actual construction phase.
Our contact number for our Shipyard Office is (902) 640-3105.
Our office hours are Monday - Friday 1000 - 1700 (10-5).
For any detailed information please call anytime at (902) 634-8483.
Wayne Walters
Director of Operations

Monday, October 18th, 2010

The Bluenose II Visitor Information Office is now operational.

The location is at the Lunenburg Shipyard just steps from where the restoration of Bluenose II is being done.
At this time we are still putting together a site for the public to be able to view the actual work. This should be in place sometime in November.
We are near the completion of the deconstruction phase and will soon be moving into the "Big Boat Shed". It should be in place soon and we will be starting the actual construction phase.
Our contact number for our Shipyard Office is (902) 640-3105.
Our office hours are Monday - Friday 1000 - 1700 (10-5).
For any detailed information please call anytime at (902) 634-8483.
Wayne Walters
Director of Operations

July 8, 2010 11:22 AM

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

The province awarded the Bluenose II construction contract, worth $12.5 million, to the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance today, July 8, as part of a significant restoration project announced by the provincial and federal governments in May 2009.
The total value of the project is $14.8 million.The federal contribution towards the project will come from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
"Because of the work about to take place on the Lunenburg waterfront the iconic Bluenose II will continue to showcase Nova Scotia's proud marine heritage to the world for many years to come," said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Percy Paris. "Not only is her future secure, we will also create a legacy of good jobs that grow the economy by helping Nova Scotia firms be more competitive for future boat building projects".
"The government of Canada is committed to supporting projects like this one that will promote national pride while strengthening our country's, and our region's economic future," said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "This restoration project provides Nova Scotia with a living legacy of its history and heritage."
The Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance includes Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering and Snyder's Shipyard Ltd. of Daysprings, Lunenburg Co.
The restoration work will take place on the Lunenburg waterfront at Lunenburg Industrial Foundry's facilities. As part of the contract, shipbuilding infrastructure worth $1.5 million will be added to the waterfront as a lasting benefit for Lunenburg.
The alliance was the successful respondent to a request for expressions of interest issued in January, and responded to a detailed request for proposals in June that formed the basis of the final contract.
MHPM Project Managers were selected to manage the restoration on behalf of the province following a tender last fall. Lengkeek Vessel Engineering were hired as the design consultant following a tender late last year.
"That the co-operation of both provincial and federal governments in making this possible is to be highly commended," said Laurence Mawhinney, mayor of the town of Lunenburg. "The Bluenose II project will be a major attraction for visitors to Nova Scotia during the next two years."
Plans are proceeding to provide the public with views of the construction site through a video link at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg. The museum's collection includes a number of artifacts and resources that tell the story of the famous schooner Bluenose whose legacy the Bluenose II helps preserve.
Construction activity will begin immediately with the Bluenose II being moved from its home berth at the museum wharf to the Lunenburg Industrial Foundry site.

July, 2010

On July 5th 2010 BLUENOSE II will commence a restoration project that will see the vessel out of service until March 2012.

The first phase of the project is the deconstruction

There will be no public access during this period for SAFETY reasons. This phase will end in approximately 6 - 8 weeks.

The second phase will be the reconstruction of the hull

There will be limited public access with guides on hand to explain the work being done. This will take place at the Lunenburg Shipyard near where BLUENOSE II and BLUENOSE were built. This phase is expected to be complete by April 2011..

The final phase will be the rigging and trials

There will be public access to the dock only. This work will be carried out by the regular crew. This work will be done during the months of April and May of 2012 after the main work has been completed in March of 2012.

Announcement - March 3, 2010

The province has short-listed a consortium of Nova Scotia shipbuilders for construction work to restore the schooner Bluenose II.
The Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance was the successful respondent to a request for interest issued in December.
The consortium includes Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering of Lunenburg and Snyder's Shipyard Limited of Dayspring, Lunenburg Co.
"This is another crucial step in securing the future of Bluenose II," said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Percy Paris. "The Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance brings together the experience and know how of three world-class Nova Scotia companies, and ensures the investment to preserve this icon flow to the provincial economy."
(source: NS TCH)

Announcement - December 17, 2009

Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador Bluenose II is closer to a planned restoration with the announcement that contracts have been signed with a project manager and design consultant. (source: NS TCH)
68 Bluenose Drive, PO Box 1363, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, B0J 2C0.
Phone (902) 634-8483
www.schoonerbluenose2.ca
"BLUENOSE II" & the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
are operated by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society