Love Boat


In the early 1980s, HMCS Cormorant became the first vessel in the Canadian Navy to board a mixed gender crew. This historic first was tarnished by the alleged rampant sexual harassment and misogyny that occurred on board, earning it the nickname “The Love Boat” among sailors.

After a long career as a diving support vessel for the Canadian Navy, HMCS Cormorant was decommissioned and abandoned at a dock in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia where it languished for over 20 years. During that time the ship was neglected and eventually became an environmental hazard, with reports of toxic waste accumulating in its fuel cells.

After years of public pressure, the Cormorant was finally towed away for scrapping in 2020.

In a province where gender-based violence is on the rise, HMCS Cormorant is a reminder of the visible and invisible tolls of trauma. The works presented in “Love Boat” map the Cormorant’s last resting place on the LaHave River: panoramic paintings include physical changes to the dock that took place during the ship’s stay, a scale boat model displays breaches along the ship’s hull, and a plywood decoy of a shag bears witness to it all.


March 8 – March 30, 2025
Chester Art Gallery, Chester

February 17 – April 15, 2023
The Blue Building Gallery, Halifax


Thank you to Arts Nova Scotia for their support of this project.

HMCS Cormorant wooden half-hull model (with breaches)

HMCS Cormorant half-hull model (with breaches) 
wood, acrylic paint, spar varnish
40 x 14 x 3 inches
2023

Special thanks to Andrew Rhodenizer, boat builder.

Photo: Brian Limoyo

“We don’t have to look at her rotting in the river” - D.M.(Bernadette Jordan aboard the Cormorant)

acrylic, oil, and spray paint on canvas
36 x 48 inches
2023


Photo: Amanda Rhodenizer

Shadow decoy silhouette of cormorant on buoy

Shag 
acrylic and spray paint on plywood shadow decoy
36 x 36 x 9 inches
2023

Photo: Brian Limoyo

They’re just guys being guys in an atmosphere where that kind of behaviour is tolerated, allowed or encouraged
acrylic and oil paint on canvas, series of eight
55 x 66 inches
2023

Photo: Brian Limoyo

Exhibition installation view

Love Boat quote

Photo: Brian Limoyo 

They’re just guys being guys in an atmosphere where that kind of behaviour is tolerated, allowed or encouraged
acrylic and oil paint on canvas, 2 of 8
55 x 66 inches
2023 


Photo: Amanda Rhodenizer

Do Not Load throw blanket

found textile, spray paint
70 x 52 inches
2023

Photo: Amanda Rhodenizer

Love Boat

installation view, at the Blue Building Gallery

Photo: Brian Limoyo

Love Boat

installation view, at the Blue Building Gallery

Photo: Brian Limoyo 

They’re just guys being guys in an atmosphere where that kind of behaviour is tolerated, allowed or encouraged
acrylic and oil paint on canvas, series of eight
55 x 66 inches
2023

Photo: Brian Limoyo

They’re just guys being guys in an atmosphere where that kind of behaviour is tolerated, allowed or encouraged
acrylic and oil paint on canvas, series of eight
55 x 66 inches
2023

Photo: Brian Limoyo
Using Format