Bluenose II sail date still unclear; 25 items to be addressed

The government department responsible for overseeing the completion of the Bluenose II project in Lunenburg says there's no firm date set for when the schooner will be ready to sail because there are still 25 items that need to be addressed.

Geoff MacLellan, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, says the steering committee for the project is trying to secure different certification and technical requirements from Transport Canada.

MacLellan said it's hard to say when the schooner will be ready to sail again.

"At this point, we're looking at probably early summer. Again, very leery to get into specific details about sailing times and when the boat is ready for the water," he said.

According to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, the following items still need to be addressed before the Bluenose II is ready to sail:

• Adjust gooseneck vent heights, fore and aft.
• Change four flexible hoses to stainless in hydraulic system.
• Build and install wheel box.
• Design, fabricate and install deflection roller for starboard anchor cable.
• Install a valve in the grey/black water systems to ensure water tight bulkhead.
• Engine, wire overspeed trips to Maretron alarm system; conduct four-hour engine test.
• Confirm life saving plan once life saving gear is back on ship.
• Finalize amount of trim ballast.
• Finalize stability book.
• Paint plimsol line.
• Order remaining signage and affix.
• Ensure sufficient airflow with deckhouse fan.
• Install plexiglass panels on back of engine control panels.
• Update electrical schematic drawing to reflect as-built.
• Compile complete as-built drawing log.
• Compile mill certs and equipment manuals for all onboard equipment.
• Complete operations manual.
• Confirm placement of loud hailer.
• Conduct water test to confirm deck installation is water tight.
• Remove winter covering.
• Conduct anchor testing after winter cover removal.
• Water quality confirmation testing.
• Hire all crew (2 remaining).
• Crew training on all systems and rigging.
• Check sacrificial anodes and replace as needed, using divers.

'We've learned a lot of lessons'

The Bluenose II was initially supposed to return to the water in summer 2012 after an extensive rebuild with a budget of $14.4 million.

The bill for the rebuild has grown to more than $20 million. An additional $4.5 million is still in dispute between the province and the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, which is the consortium hired to do the work on the Bluenose II.

The boat is currently tied up at a wharf next to the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg. MacLellan remains optimistic about the project's completion. 

"There's been such a story and a schedule change and things that have happened with the Bluenose, we want to make sure things are done properly. We've learned a lot of lessons from this project for sure," he told reporters Wednesday.

"The one thing we hear from the people in Lunenburg is they want this to be a good story. They want this to be done right, that we return to the positive message of the Bluenose."

MacLellan said most of the boat's crew has been hired.

The schooner will still have to undergo sea trials before it can start a regular sailing schedule again. It will be run by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society once it is ready to sail.