What an incredible week in Nova Scotia history. It’s strange when you look back at disasters in Nova Scotia: the August Gales, the Westray Mine disaster, hurricanes Juan or Fiona. They all happen quickly; 24-48 hours and things are generally resolved leaving communities to pick up and somehow carry on. On a ship, we look for the wind to begin to change or the barometer to rise, showing the storm isn’t over but it is passing.

After some minor repairs and a good inspection, we were finally ready to re-step the foremast this week. I would have preferred to step it a week ago, but we were scheduling with Old Town Boatworks, who had a large yacht to launch. In order that we could have the crane in Lunenburg when it was best for everybody, we all compromised. Of course, spring road restrictions and the availability of the crane from Lawrence Veinotte Enterprises were the final piece of the puzzle. With our shrouds all inspected by Ironbound Rigging and all our blocks hung the mast was quickly lifted into place.