Bluenose II to be out of commission until 2012

A refit of Nova Scotia's most famous ship will take a year longer than expected.

Bluenose II is undergoing a facelift worth more than $14 million starting this summer.

The work was scheduled to be finished by March 2011 but tourism officials tell the Herald that timeline has been extended to March 2012.

Department spokesman Michael Noonan says the ship needs more extensive repairs than just a new hull.

Noonan says even out of the water, the Bluenose will still be a tourist attraction becayse people will be able to watch the refit taking place on the Lunenburg waterfront.

Ottawa was to fund part of the refit costs under its economic stimulus package, but that was based on the condition the work be finished by next March.

Noonan says talks are underway with Ottawa to use the leftover cash for other projects.