HALIFAX – The famed schooner Bluenose II, which has just recently been cleared for public sailings following a controversial rebuilding project that went millions over budget, has been sidelined because of a steering problem.
Tours were cancelled Wednesday when the problem with the steering pump surfaced.
Captain Wayne Walters say technicians are fixing the problems and expects tours to resume Friday.
The Bluenose II rebuilding project ran four years behind schedule and its cost ballooned $20 million; that prompted a review by the province’s auditor-general.
Steering was a controversial part of the rebuilding project when it was determined the schooner’s original wooden rudder would be replaced with a heavier, steel rudder.
The steel rudder proved to be too heavy for the sailing vessel’s helm, so a hydraulic pump was installed to help steer the ship.
The hydraulic steering system was originally thought to cost $350,000, but the cost of the installation doubled.
The province announced in June that the famous schooner would be taking public tours this summer.
It’s already made one visit to Halifax, but has since returned to its home port of Lunenburg for tours.
The schooner is scheduled to sail to Sydney and Pictou and Port Hawkesbury in August.
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