Late yesterday afternoon (August 6th) the province of Nova Scotia sent me a response to my questions about their decision to take control of the Bluenose. 

They were responding to this blog post HERE

Here's their response: 

"Mr. Lacey:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the questions you raised regarding the Bluenose II. Please see our response below. We have also updated this information on our website and provided a link to the inspection report, at http://cch.novascotia.ca/faq-Bluenose-II-restoration . Please note that some  items have been redacted, and items crossed off have been completed. If you need anything further, please let me know.

Thank you,

Vicki Roberts

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The province took delivery of the Bluenose II following an inspection by Lengkeek Vessel Engineering.

The project is substantially completed with only minor deficiencies to be corrected (not including the rudder and steering issue). The rudder and steering issue has not been attributed to the builder to this juncture, so the Province did not take the position that these modifications should hold up delivery.

It is not unusual for the Province to take delivery of capital assets in large projects where substantial completion has been reached and where defects have been identified and are being remedied. Usually funding is held back until these have been corrected, as is the case with the Bluenose II.

The cause of the rudder and steering issues is being investigated and responsibility for it will be addressed in the claims process. Steering is being addressed as part of a separate stand-alone contract and that work is now underway.

There are also practical reasons for taking delivery of the vessel at this time. Having control of the vessel enables the captain to complete work to get the vessel prepared for sail (e.g. painting, checking rigging, preparing sails, etc.). As well, moving the vessel to its regular berth by the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic makes it more accessible to visitors and the general public."

But questions remain. 

Of particular interest is the inspection report, which itemizes a number of deficiencies including major problems like the vessel's stability to minor ones like missing handrails. 

Why did the government accept ownership of Bluenose with so many small and large problems? 

Why was Lengkeek Engineering (boat's designer) used to do the inspection? Why not use an independent outside inspector like you would if buying a home? (Note: contract states the inspector can be Lengkeek or "such qualified alternate as Minister may propose...")

The province deserves credit for providing more information, but now even more questions remain unanswered.