By Mark Cardwell
Port of Sept-Îles, in partnership with Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, officially opened the Hermel exhibition site in the Port of Sept-Îles Marina building.
As part of the strategy promoting Sept-Îles as an international cruise destination, Port of Sept-Îles and Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu wanted to make Hermel accessible to cruise passengers as well as tourists and locals. To do so, they renovated the Marina building to refurbish existing facilities and create a space dedicated to this remarkable transatlantic watercraft. An interactive console sits next to Hermel, allowing visitors to learn about the famous rowboat and its 129-day voyage across the Atlantic.
In addition to being the new home port for Mylène Paquette’s legendary boat, the Marina building now houses a Tourisme Sept-Îles kiosk and an interpretive display about the Bay of Sept-Îles itself. Until Labour Day, Tourisme Sept-Îles staff will be on-site to bring the exhibits to life and answer visitor questions. The exhibition is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Once summer is over, school and group visits to Hermel will be available upon request.
“Thanks to our generous partners, the Hermel exhibition is now a part of the Port of Sept-Îles. We’re grateful to Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, and to Tourisme Sept-Îles and the Club nautique de Sept-Îles, who helped make it possible to bring Hermel to her new homeport in our marina,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, the Port’s President and CEO.
In April 2014 the Port of Sept-Îles had won the bid to acquire this symbol of courage, determination, and achievement that embodies the Port’s values and will now be displayed permanently.