That was the word of the day February 9 as the team responsible for the $14.8 million restoration of Bluenose II updated a throng of media on the progress of the project.

 Attending the briefing, which was held at the Lunenburg Shipyard's Bluenose II Interpretation Centre, were Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall; Michael Noonan, communications director for the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage; Bill Greenlaw, executive director of the Heritage Division of Communities, Culture and Heritage; representatives of the project managers and design consultants; as well as members of the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance who are doing the construction work on the vessel.

 Those efforts actually began last July when site preparation began with the installation of a new marine railway, a capital improvement which it is hoped will serve as the future backbone of the shipyard.

 At the same time, production of frames and sections of keel commenced at the off-site facilities of Covey Island Boatworks and Snyder's Shipyard, respectively, two firms which, with Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering Ltd. (LIFE), make up the alliance.

 In what is a first, at least for the Lunenburg waterfront, pictures showing the process of restoring the iconic schooner are being streamed in real time to viewers around the world by means of a trio of webcams which have been strategically placed under the huge dome in which the work is being carried out.

 Interested parties from as far away as Kuwait have logged on to the site, http://www.novascotiawebcams.com, to view the proceedings.

 "While it is spectacular to watch it on the webcam, when you go down and see it in person, it is truly a spectacular site to see this boat being rebuilt," said Mr. Greenlaw. "It is truly impressive."

 He said that not only are Nova Scotians interested in the reconstruction, but so too is the rest of Canada and beyond.

 "We are pleased that the world is paying attention to this project and drawing attention to Lunenburg and the excellent craftsmanship we do have in this province, and specifically, Lunenburg," he said. "Bluenose is a visible reminder of Nova Scotia's connection to the sea and our proud maritime heritage."

 He said the restoration is "a great showcase" of the talents of three long-standing Lunenburg companies which came together to help work on the vessel.

 "This is not only an investment in Bluenose II, but positions the companies involved with the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance to be more competitive in their future shipbuilding projects, and to showcase collectively their skills to the world," he said. "A unique set of circumstances combined to allow us to proceed with a major restoration of Bluenose II that will extend her life to what we know will be for several more decades."

 Rory MacDonald of Lengkeek Vessel Engineering Ltd., design consultants on the project, said that his firm was mandated to build a hull that would last at least 50 years and rebuild the interior so that it would look more like that of a 1920s fishing schooner.

 They were also required to create a deck layout to reflect that of the original Bluenose as well as enhance the schooner's safety features and environmental considerations to reflect current requirements.

 "Additionally, we've improved the life-saving, fire-detection and extinguishing and bilge-pumping arrangements," he added.

 Not only has the project drawn international attention to Lunenburg, it has also brought employment. The three members that make up the Alliance have already hired about two dozen additional workers and more are expected to be brought on stream as the project progresses.

 The restored hull of Bluenose II is expected to be launched into the waters of Lunenburg harbour sometime this summer, with final completion expected to take place by March 2012, in time for that summer's sailing season.