VIDEO: Bluenose II Hydraulic Steering Unveiled

Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador is expected to undergo its next sailing trials in the spring. The new hydraulic steering system for the Bluenose II was unveiled Tuesday by project lead Wilson Fitt and Iain Tulloch, the designer of the system. It was needed after the steel rudder was too heavy to turn manually. Fitt demonstrated the wheel turning using power-assist and by hand. A five horsepower electric motor runs the steering system. If the power fails, the steering can be used manually. Tulloch says its perfectly safe. He adds, “It’s structurally much safer than the old one. Wooden rudders were notorious for breaking and they had very ineffective stops if something went wrong. This is much stronger with more backup systems than a wooden rudder ever had.” The system needs a wooden frame before it’s complete. The estimated cost of the system was $350,000, but the province hasn’t confirmed the financial figure. Meanwhile, Peter Kinley says he looks forward to seeing Bluenose II sail out of the harbour. He’s the president of the Lunenburg Foundry and Engineering, one of the groups that make up the Shipyard Alliance tasked with building the vessel. The reputation of shipbuilders in Lunenburg was questioned by many because of project delays and cost overruns. However, Kinley says the workmanship speaks for itself. He adds, “There is a wonderful example of what can be done. I think when you blend the traditions of the sea with modern regulations, the requirements change and therefore additional effort is needed to meet those challenges.” Work on the project started in 2009.