SETTING SAIL
New harbour tour excursion launches.
Two brothers who grew up on the ocean have added boat tours of Yarmouth harbour to their existing business.
Captain Lucien LeBlanc and his brother Simon have operated the popular Tusket Island Tours since 2014.
Simon, a schoolteacher as well as a talented musician, will be providing the tours of Yarmouth harbour until mid-September.
Passengers will hear about local waterfront businesses, including IMO Foods, which he toured recently, in addition to other local landmarks, shipwrecks, Frost Park, Parker Eakins and Killam’s Wharf, Gannet Rock, Green Island and more.
He says he’s looking forward to showing passengers Yarmouth viewed from the water.
“In Wedgeport we have lobster-fishing boats. Here I get to show people way more, whether it’s scallop fishing boats, herring seiners and other vessels involved in the fishing industry,” he said.
Passengers will learn how to haul a lobster trap and see the process that lobster fishermen go through.
There will also be a “bluenose” ceremony to initiate visitors. Simon will chalk their nose blue and they’ll be invited to down a shot size of Ironworks Bluenose rum. Each person will receive a certificate printed with a rhyming dialogue written by Simon.
On Wednesday evenings, at the end of the tour, there will be a lobster supper on a Yarmouth Bar dock for an additional fee.
The meal is a partnership between Yarmouth Acadian Shores Tourism Association, Tusket Island Tours and T &W catering. Highland dancers will entertain and Simon will play his guitar.
“We’re targeting tourists that want to have the Nova Scotia experience of having a lobster supper on the shore,” he said.
Depending on the size of the group, either a lobster-fishing boat or smaller, deep-sea fishing boat will be used for excursions.
Private tours, educational class trips and deep-sea fishing charters are also available.