A Campbell River boatbuilding company has been awarded a $74.7-million contract to build three coastal patrol vessels for the RCMP.

Ocean Pacific Marine will build the aluminum vessels through a joint venture with Camarc Design, a Scottish naval architecture firm whose high-speed patrol-vessel designs are used by police, coast guard, naval and rescue agencies around the world.

The RCMP will use the 27-metre-long vessels to police B.C.’s 26,000 kilometres of coastline, where the Mounties provide law enforcement, search and rescue and emergency response for remote coastal communities.

In a statement, Bruce Kempling, founder and president of Ocean Pacific Marine, said the contract 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.”

The company, which currently employs 63 people, said its workforce will likely grow by 20 to 30 employees over the life of the contract. A company representative said the vessels are currently in the design stage and gave no timeline on when construction would begin or when the ships would be delivered to the RCMP.

Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl called the contract a strong endorsement of the skilled workforce and marine expertise in the community, saying the investment will create opportunities for local workers and “further reinforce Campbell River’s reputation as a centre of excellence for marine services.”

Ocean Pacific Marine, founded in 1985, builds new vessels and does repairs and refits for recreational, commercial and government customers. It operates a 150-ton crane at its 9,000-square-metre boatyard on the waterfront in Campbell River’s north end.

The company has completed previous projects for the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of National Defence, Royal Canadian Navy, Pacific Pilotage Authority and RCMP.

Chief executive Govinda Advani said in the statement that the new RCMP contract reflects the company’s reliable reputation over more than four decades. Advani said the goal is to also be involved in the vessels’ ongoing maintenance.

The new RCMP patrol boats are designed for speeds up to 28 knots with a range of 450 nautical miles at sustained speed. They can support up to six personnel with capabilities for coastal security, diving and underwater recovery support as well as towing.

The company said the RCMP contract will generate significant long-term economic benefits for Campbell River by supporting skilled employment in welding, marine engineering, electrical and mechanical trades, project management and procurement.

It said the project will provide substantial work for a network of B.C.-based suppliers and subcontractors, including Ocean Pacific Marine’s fabrication partner, Bracewell Marine Group, based in Richmond.

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