The Ottawa-based company was the project manager for the restoration under a contract awarded in 2009, co-ordinating the firms doing the reconstruction.
“At the time, the schooner had been in service for more than 45 years and showed its age,” MHPM stated. “The bow and stern were sagging, distorting the shape of the wooden vessel, and maintenance costs were spiralling.”
“It was a proud moment for our company,” said president and CEO Franklin Holtforster. “It is not every day that one has the opportunity to make such an important contribution to Canada’s maritime heritage.”
Bluenose II required extensive restoration, including reconstructing the hull to stop it from sagging again and adding electrical and mechanical systems.
However, MHPM and the other companies working on the project made efforts to keep parts from the ship, including sails, rigging, deck structures, safety equipment and masts.
“Overall, the configuration of the deck more closely resembles the original Bluenose, offering a more authentic experience for visitors,” MHPM stated.
The schooner was launched in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in late September.
MHPM noted that it does not usually work in shipbuilding, but said its “project management expertise proved its worth.”
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