News release

Lunenburg Marine Museum Society to Operate Bluenose II

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Lunenburg Marine Museum Society to Operate Bluenose II


The base of operations for the Bluenose II will remain in Lunenburg thanks to an agreement-in-principle reached by the province and the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society.

The locally based, non-profit society, which operates the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, has agreed to work with the province to develop a formal contract for the operation of Bluenose II.

"It was extremely important to the government of Nova Scotia to make every effort to keep the operation of our sailing ambassador in Lunenburg," Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage said today, Feb. 4. "We are confident the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society is more than capable of carrying out this task."

Members of the society board are all from the Lunenburg area and represent a wide range of marine and business experience, including vessel maintenance, engineering, fabrication, retail and accounting. One of the board members is Captain Wayne Walters, who served as Captain of the Bluenose II and is versed in all areas of the vessel's operations. Mr. Walters is the grandson of Captain Angus Walters, the captain of the original Bluenose.

"It is clear to the board that the operation of the Bluenose II would be a perfect fit with our museum. The vessel's activities would be governed by what is best for the vessel itself, the town of Lunenburg, the province, and the country," said Captain Walters. "We also believe it is most important to keep the operation of the Bluenose II in Lunenburg."

The society intends to offer employment to the core group of the current crew of the Bluenose II including its captain, engineer, two mates, and the cook.

The Bluenose II Preservation Trust Society has been operating the vessel under contract with the province since 1998. Efforts to develop a new contract with the trust have not been successful.

"I want to thank the trust for operating the Bluenose II and we appreciate all of their efforts in maintaining the vessel during their contract," said Mr. MacDonald.

That contract expires on March 31.

Efforts now will concentrate on getting the Bluenose II ready for the 2005 sailing season.