The Canadian Coast Guard has set up an operations base in Bridgewater as they prepare to remove three derelict ships from a privately owned wharf on the LaHave River.

The ships being removed are the Hannah Atlantic, Cape Rouge, and the Rupert Brand VI. All of which have been in the area for a number of years and are in various states of disrepair.

An aerial view of The Hannah Atlantic, Cape Rouge, and the Rupert Brand VI. Photo: Canadian Coast Guard.

“This is very exciting for our community so many reasons,” said Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell. “Obviously not having to look at these eyesores and the risk they posed but also when it is a clean slate, the opportunity and potential that property presents is immense.”

The wharf is owned by United Gulf Developments (UGD) and is located on the outskirts of Bridgewater. The ships being removed were abandoned on the dock when UGD purchased the wharf and who is responsible for them has been a contested issue.

The Coast Guard expects the removal to take approximately six months. Before the ships can be removed the Coast Guard needs to remove all pollutants and hazardous materials on board.

The three vessels being removed will then be dismantled and removed from the site. They will not be towed out the LaHave River so as to reduce the risk of environmental contamination.

During the removal process, the Coast Guard is asking the public to avoid the dock site and water near the ships as it will be an active work site, with the potential for contaminants to be present.