Nova Scotia

Bluenose II steering problems to be studied in $30K report

The steering problems that plagued the Bluenose II last summer will be studied in $30K report ordered by the provincial government.

The report's recommendations likely won't impact the next sailing season, transportation minister says

The steering problems forced multiple cancellations of tours on board the Bluenose II last summer. (Len Wagg/Communications Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotia taxpayers will be paying at least $30,000 for another consultant's report into the rebuilt Bluenose II schooner.   

The provincial government has ordered a review of everything related to the controversial steering mechanism, which became stiff towards the end of August, Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan said Thursday at the legislature.

As a precaution, the schooner was pulled from service for four days to allow for some of the hydraulic equipment to be replaced.

"We can get a full understanding of what we could be required to do for next year," MacLellan said.

The engineering review, which will be done by the Rhode Island-based company Langan Design Partners, is due at the end of January, MacLellan said.