Graham Clarke, owner of Graham Clarke Group, left, and Brook Castelsky, CEO of Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) announce the acquisition of OBMG by Graham Clarke Group
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Vancouver-based Graham Clarke Group (GCG) has purchased the Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG), annexing the 62 year old company to grow a business that now spans the Georgia Strait.
GCG also owns Harbour Cruises – a 113-year-old Vancouver marine tourism and hospitality attraction, Coal Harbour Marina in Vancouver, the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre and B.C. based ferry operator and ship builder Western Pacific Marine.
GCG’s purchase of OBMG includes its four Vancouver Island marinas – Oak Bay Marina, North Saanich Marina, Ladysmith Marina and Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina – along with OBMG Boathouses and the Marina Dockside Eatery. In Victoria. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! World of Adventure in Newport, Oregon is also under the OBMG umbrella.
“For me, this is deeply personal,” says Graham Clarke, owner of Graham Clarke Group. “I grew up in Oak Bay and have always admired the legacy of Oak Bay Marine Group. This acquisition is more than an expansion; it’s about honouring a business that has meant so much to the community. Our goal is to preserve what makes OBMG special while building exciting new opportunities for the future.”
GCG is committed to ensuring a seamless transition for OBMG customers, employees and partners.
“When Bob Wright founded OBMG, his vision was to connect people with the beauty of our coastal environment and create unforgettable experiences on the water,” says OBMG CEO Brook Castelsky. “Graham Clarke Group shares that same vision. This partnership ensures OBMG’s legacy will carry on while we continue to serve the communities and customers who have supported us over the years.”
Harbour Cruises in particular is ideally positioned to blend the best of both organizations for an even brighter future.
GCG’s headquarters are in downtown Vancouver. The firm was established in 1908 as the New Brighton Ferry Company and incorporated in 1920 as Harbour Navigation.
Harbour Cruises is Canada’s oldest continuously operating marine transportation company, specializing in marina infrastructure, cruise ship services and hospitality. It is known for its sightseeing, dining, and private charter experiences in Downtown Vancouver.
Coal Harbour Marina offers 250 slips in downtown Vancouver for marine vessels up to 330 feet long.
Western Pacific Marine provides ferry services under contracts with BC Ferries and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. Notably, Western Pacific Marine is leading the construction of Canada’s first electric-hybrid ferry for the Kootenay Lake service.
The Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre was born from a vision to transform Coal Harbour for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The facility was designed by aviation experts to be the permanent home for Vancouver’s float plane operators.
Since 1962, Oak Bay Marine Group has been a trusted name in marine tourism, offering services and recreational opportunities at its marinas and oceanfront locations.
Burkett & Co., based in served as financial advisor to OBMG.
By Mark MacDonald
