If you have made the drive along the Niagara stretch of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) you have undoubtedly seen the rustic, 141-foot ship that is nestled in the Jordan Harbour.

“La Grande Hermine” (The Big Weasel) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region but it may soon look a little different.

According to a public document on the federal government’s buy and sell website, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently accepting bids on the old ship.

The 3 masts on La Grande Hermine may soon be gone, Fisheries & Oceans Canada have requested bids to remove them from the abandoned ship after a March inspection by the Coast Guard determined the boat poses a risk to the environment and the public. @CHCHNews @CHCHTV pic.twitter.com/PRrMlVrYpm

— Matt Ingram (@MattIngramNEWS) October 28, 2021

A technical assessment of the vessel was completed back in March by the Canadian Coast Guard Central Region Vessel of Concern (VOC) program.

The assessment determined the wreck posed a “significant level of danger to the environment, as well as to the health, safety and well-being of the public.”

It was deemed necessary to proceed with the removal of the main mast and restrict access to the wreck to mitigate the hazards present.

The assessment by the VOC describes the ship as “stranded, dilapidated” and “burnt.”

It lists the owner of the boat as “not determined.”

The ship was built in 1965 and is a life-sized replica of the three-masted sailing vessel that famous explorer Jacques Cartier traveled on in the 1500s.

It was later converted into a restaurant and was refurbished with a wooden facade built over the steel hull. The boat was featured at the Montreal Expo in 1967.

The vessel was then purchased by a businessman man who wanted to convert it into an interim casino in Chippewa.

He docked the vessel while awaiting approval, however, the man passed away and the boat was left abandoned.

In 2003, the ship was destroyed by a suspicious fire.

The burned-out hull still sits in the harbour roughly 25 metres from shore and continues to attract tourists from all over the world.

Over the years, many people have shown interest in taking ownership of the boat, including a man from the United States who wanted to sink the vessel so it could be used by divers to explore underwater.

A group from Hamilton also expressed interest in restoring the ship and moving it to Pier 4 so it could be used for observation and recreational purposes.

Companies looking to place a bid on the vessel will have to meet specific criteria to be awarded the contract, including the successful completion of a minimum of two vessel recovery projects in the last five years.

The winning contractor will also be responsible for the removal and disposal of the masts as a whole or in pieces, provide proof of disposal and secure dangerous accesses within four weeks of the contract being awarded.

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority no later than five days before the bid closing date on Nov. 9.