The Strathcona Standard

By Grant Warkentin

Campbell River’s Ocean Pacific Marine Supply will be building three new state-of-the-art patrol vessels for the RCMP, a contract worth nearly $75 million.

The federal government announced yesterday the contract had been awarded to Ocean Pacific and Camarc Design Ltd, in a joint venture. The three new boats will all be built in Campbell River.

“This award represents much more than the design and construction of three vessels,” said Bruce Kempling, founder and president of Ocean Pacific Marine. “It is recognition that a small business from Campbell River can compete on the national stage and deliver world-class marine projects. We are incredibly proud that these vessels will be built here in British Columbia by Canadian tradespeople.”

Joël Lightbound, the federal minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to secure and protect Canadian coastlines, while supporting domestic jobs and industrial capacity.

“These new patrol vessels will enhance the RCMP’s operational presence along British Columbia’s coast, ensuring they have the modern equipment needed to respond effectively in one of the most complex maritime environments in the country,” he said. “Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy and our Buy Canadian approach, we are building in Canada, for Canada, with Canadian expertise, reinforcing a domestic marine industry that’s essential to our sovereignty, our security and our long-term economic strength, while creating lasting opportunities for Canadian workers and communities.”

According to Ocean Pacific, the RCMP contract will bring long-term economic benefits to Campbell River and British Columbia’s marine industry. Construction of the three vessels will support skilled employment across welding, marine engineering, electrical and mechanical trades, and other disciplines. It will also create new job opportunities, and generate work for a network of suppliers and subcontractors.

“For Campbell River, the award further strengthens the city’s growing reputation as a leading centre for marine services including shipbuilding and vessel repair on Canada’s West Coast, while supporting apprenticeship and local workforce development, attracting engineering and technical talent, and contributing to regional economic activity over the next several years,” the company says in a statement.

The federal government says it expects the boats to start entering service in 2028.

Quick facts

• Contract value: $74.7 million
• Scope: Design and construction of three Next Generation Police Coastal Patrol Vessels
• Customer / operator: RCMP – West Coast Marine Services
• Contracting authority: Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
• Vessel Specifications: Camarc Design 25-metre series; all-aluminum monohull, approximately 26.8 m overall
• Speed: sustained operations to 28 knots
• Range: 450 nautical miles at sustained speed, with 7-day endurance
• Crew: Four plus two specialist personnel
• Mission Capability: policing, coastal security, dive and underwater recovery support, and towing.
• Class: All three vessels will be built to the same class standard under supervision of a member of the International Association of Classification Societies and in accordance with Transport Canada Regulations