The Nanaimo Port Authority has chosen Daigle Welding & Marine Ltd. of Campbell River to design and build a new EagleCraft 39-foot pilot/patrol boat.
The NPA Osprey, designed by Steve Daigle and his naval architect Felipe Garcia, will be a multi-task vessel constructed specifically to meet the duties of a pilot boat, patrol vessel, fire boat and water ambulance for the Port of Nanaimo. It is expected to be in service this spring just in time for the start of the port’s cruise ship season.
The NPA Osprey is the second vessel that the Nanaimo Port Authority has purchased in the past year from Daigle Welding & Marine. The NPA Eagle, a 32-foot smaller version of the new vessel purchased in 2011, recently had a new 110 hp diesel fire pump installed with monitors on the bow and stern.
“We have been very pleased with the quality of work on our existing vessel,” said Edward Dahlgren of the port authority. “Having two near sister vessels will provide operational efficiencies from a critical spares and training perspective. Having a local builder produce a product of this calibre is a testament to the skills and innovation of the West Coast boat building industry.”
Daigle Welding & Marine has been designing and building EagleCraft custom aluminum boats in Campbell River since 1985. The company has an international reputation for building quality aluminum boats and have shipped their products around the globe including Russia, Norway, Chile, and the United States. Daigle has built vessels for the federal, provincial and municipal governments and recently built the Vancouver City Police boat.