Vancouver Island firm awarded $74.7 million RCMP patrol vessel contract
Published 10:30 am Friday, July 3, 2026
By Kari Fredheim
The Ocean Pacific Marine team with an RCMP vessel they previously worked on. (Laura Kempling/Contributor)
The federal government has awarded Ocean Pacific Marine a $74.7 million contract to design and build three Next Generation Police Coastal Patrol Vessels (NG-PCPV) for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s West Coast Marine Services.
The project will see the advanced aluminum patrol vessels designed through a joint venture between Ocean Pacific Marine and Camarc Design, the internationally recognized Scottish naval architecture firm whose high-speed patrol vessel designs are in service with police, coast guard, naval and rescue agencies around the world. Together, the joint venture will deliver modern, purpose-built vessels to support the RCMP’s critical marine policing mission along the province’s 26,000 kilometres of coastline.
“This award represents much more than the design and construction of three vessels,” said Bruce Kempling, President of Ocean Pacific Marine, which he founded in 1985. “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.”
Trending
- Annual burn camp for B.C. kids kicks off
- Attorney General comments on rural B.C., Indigenous land rights issues in Revelstoke interview
The new vessels will replace and modernize the RCMP’s existing coastal patrol fleet, improving law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency response, and policing services for remote coastal communities.
The RCMP contract is expected to generate significant long-term economic benefits for both Campbell River and British Columbia’s marine industry. Construction of the vessels will support a variety of skilled employment across welding, marine engineering, electrical and mechanical trades, project management and more, while also creating new job opportunities.
The project stands to generate substantial work for a broad network of British Columbia-based suppliers and subcontractors, including Ocean Pacific’s key fabrication partner, Richmond- based Bracewell Marine Group, whose expertise will contribute to the successful delivery of the vessels.
For Campbell River, the award further strengthens the city’s growing reputation as a leading centre for marine services including shipbuilding and vessel repair. The contract will also support apprenticeship and local workforce development, attracting engineering and technical talent. It will also contribute to regional economic activity over the next several years.
As a proudly Canadian owned company, Ocean Pacific Marine views the award as a recognition of the dedication of its employees, partners and customers over the past 41 years.
“Our success has always been built on the people who work here and the community that has supported us,” said Kempling. “We’re honoured to have the opportunity to build these vessels in Campbell River and to showcase the exceptional talent that exists here on Vancouver Island.”