MEDIA RELEASE: Town of Lincoln requests Canadian Coast Guard to save masts of La Grande Hermine
Lincoln, ON – (November 9, 2021) – Town of Lincoln Council unanimously passed a motion at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on November 8, 2021 asking the Canadian Coast Guard to save the three masts of La Grande Hermine ship currently residing in Jordan Harbour. Through this motion, Council recognizes this landmark as a tourist attraction in Lincoln and requests that the Canadian Coast Guard redirect the money currently slated for removing the masts towards making the masts and ship safe for future visitors to visually enjoy.
The Town will not be seeking to own the ship but does call on the federal government to support this tourism landmark.
“Lincoln is a vibrant community that is becoming a top tourist destination. La Grande Hermine draws many visitors who support our local tourism economy, spending additional time visiting our other attractions in Lincoln,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “While we certainly share the Coast Guard’s safety concerns about the ship, we encourage them to redirect the funds currently slated for removing the masts into saving them for future visitors to visually enjoy.”
“The replica ship has been a tourism attraction since it arrived at Jordan Harbour on July 1, 1997 and has become a landmark in the Town of Lincoln for those travelling both North and South along the QEW,” said Paul Di Ianni, Director of Economic Development and Communications. “The Town sees tremendous benefit to preserving the ship which puts Jordan Harbour and Lincoln on the map.”
Town staff have been in communication with the Canadian Coast Guard regarding the ship which was identified under their Vessels of Concern Program as an abandoned and wrecked vessel. The Coast Guard conducted a technical assessment of the ship which identified a few safety hazards that need to be addressed.
The Coast Guard has proposed removing the three masts and securing the access points on the ship to prevent people from accessing it, as the structural integrity of the hull is compromised in certain points with a high risk of injury. The ship currently has no ownership.
The motion passed by Lincoln Council will also be shared with all Niagara Members of Parliament, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
Direct: 905-563-2799 ext. 230