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Snyder's Shipyard to Build 'Bluenose IV'

Joan Roué and Philip Snyder after the announcement that Snyder's Shipyards will build Bluenose IV. (Photo by Robert Hirtle, Lighthouse Publishing Ltd.)

DAYSPRING, NS (May 3, 2007) - Queen of the North Atlantic Enterprises (QTNA) is thrilled to announce that the construction of Bluenose IV will be heralded by the widely renowned and highly regarded Nova Scotia shipbuilders at Snyder's Shipyard in Dayspring. The actual construction site will be on an undeveloped piece of land owned by Snyder's Shipyard alongside the Lahave River, just across from the beautiful, spacious, and easily accessible Municipal Activity Recreation Complex (MARC), owned and operated by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Queen of the North Atlantic Enterprises is further thrilled to announce an agreement in principle between the QTNA Foundation and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg that will see the MARC Grounds serve as supporting infrastructure to accommodate the large crowds expected to witness the public construction site of Bluenose IV.

"Having access to the MARC allows us to do everything we planned at the outset when announcing our project, and more," said Joan Roué, president of QTNA and great-granddaughter of Bluenose designer William James Roué. "It is our desire to help preserve the hallowed legacy of our beloved schooner Bluenose for generations to come, and to pay homage to Maritime shipbuilding skills.

"With Snyder's, the MARC, and our agreement with the Municipality, we will have the ability to develop a shipbuilders apprenticeship program where we can train shipbuilders to ensure the trade remains viable in this province for generations to come. With the residence at the MARC, the apprentices will be able stay on-site during their training program.

"We are also exploring the possibility of establishing a permanent Wooden Shipbuilding Interpretation Centre with the construction of Bluenose IV as the centrepiece."

Master shipbuilder Philip Snyder, along with Snyder's Shipyard co-owner Wade Croft, will assemble the core team of shipwrights charged with building a vessel for tomorrow with the skills of yesterday. Philip Snyder, recently retired from day-to-day operations at the Shipyard, planked his first boat when he was 11 years old. He started working at the family business in 1966 and became a master shipbuilder in 1972. Projects of note at Snyder's include the construction of 'Theodore Too', 'Avon Spirit', the refit of the schooner Highlander Sea, and the 1994 refit of 'Bluenose II'.

The construction site will be developed over the next year to include a superstructure approximately 190' x 90'. The perimeter of the ship will be surrounded by a two-level viewing gallery, approximately six feet from the vessel, each eight feet wide with six-foot chain-link fences on both sides - allowing the public to get that close to witnessing the creation of a national icon and global symbol.

Storyboards will be placed at workstations describing the process, and interpreters will also be available to answer questions. The site will be open year-round, seven days a week from May to September, five days a week October to April. A sign marks the site, allowing visitors to see where this historic event will take place.

Once construction begins, the project is expected to directly employ over 40 people.

With the diverse elements of the MARC, families will be able to make a day of their visit, enjoying activities year-round, such as hiking, skiing and sledding, while viewing the construction of Bluenose IV.

QTNA will have a gift shop and administration offices on site, starting in June 2008 - in conjunction with the projected Bluenose IV keel laying on July 1, 2008. The projected launch date for Bluenose IV remains as originally announced: July 24, 2010.

Bluenose IV will be a world-class, totally self-contained sail training vessel, working 10 months a year. She will spend her summer months in Maritime waters, then be laid up for maintenance before sailing across the Atlantic to Europe, where she will spend several weeks before heading for Mediterranean waters. Early in the spring she will sail to the Caribbean then head back home again for a one-month lay-up for maintenance before beginning the cycle again.

Lunenburg will be her registered homeport, as it was for the original Bluenose, and is for Bluenose II.

There is no doubt in Joan Roué's mind there will be global interest in Bluenose IV.

"Besides having received communication from all over the world since our initial announcement, we have already been invited to participate in major events in Europe starting in 2011," said Roué. "We're excited to imagine what a great ambassador she will be around the world, promoting both her legacy and her home."

Bluenose IV will be a self-sufficient operation, gaining revenue from private and corporate charters, endorsements, merchandising and fundraisers.

A preliminary meeting has been held with Transport Canada to discuss requirements necessary to bring the original Roué plans drawn in 1920 up to current code, to meet and exceed safety and environment standards. Application has also been made to allow Bluenose IV to carry overnight, overseas passengers as she sails around the world.

• Click here to learn more about 'Bluenose IV' - you will be redirected to the online port for Queen of the North Atlantic Enterprises.