Ocean Pacific Marine in Campbell River outfits and services commercial and pleasure craft. Photo credit: Ocean Pacific Marine
CAMPBELL RIVER – Ocean Pacific Marine Supply Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Canadian investment fund Regenerative Capital Group to buy the marine services provider.
Founded in 1985 in Campbell River, Ocean Pacific is aligned with Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The company provides repair, refit, and vessel life-extension services for government, commercial, and recreational vessels, supported by a full-service boatyard and marine retail store. Ocean Pacific operates a 150-ton travelift and maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, with ABYC-certified technicians and CWB-certified welders. Its strategic location, specialized infrastructure, experienced workforce, and long-standing customer relationships position it as a critical service provider in British Columbia’s capacity-constrained marine services market.
“After nearly 40 years building Ocean Pacific into the trusted name it is today, Linda and I are proud to pass the helm to a team that shares our commitment to quality, our employees, and the Campbell River community,” says Bruce Kempling, founder and President of Ocean Pacific. “Regenerative Capital Group’s approach to honouring business legacies while unlocking future potential made them the right partners for this transition.”
The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks, subject to customary closing conditions. All Ocean Pacific employees will be retained, and operations will continue from the company’s Campbell River facility. Kempling will support the transition and knowledge transfer in the role of President for the foreseeable future. Key management, including his wife Laura Kempling, Manager of HR and Administration, and Tyrone Monteith, Boatyard Manager, will continue in evolved roles.
“Ocean Pacific is exactly the kind of business we back: founder-built, deeply embedded in its community, and essential to a capacity-constrained market,” says Cordell Jacks, CEO and General Partner of Regenerative Capital Group. “Our role is to provide patient capital and support the next phase of growth without disrupting the people or relationships that made the company successful.”
Govinda Advani is the incoming CEO of Ocean Pacific, and states the company “represents exactly the kind of business I sought through RCG’s CEO‑in‑Residence program—a company with a strong technological foundation, deep expertise, enduring customer relationships, and an outsized impact potential.
“I’m honoured to steward Bruce and Linda’s legacy and to work with the incredible Ocean Pacific team to cultivate the company’s full potential while maintaining the quality and service excellence that has defined it for four decades.”
Michael Miller, Chair and General Partner of Regenerative Capital Group, notes “With specialized marine infrastructure, an experienced technical workforce, and long-standing government and commercial customers, Ocean Pacific is built to handle more complex work at greater scale. Those fundamentals give the company a clear runway for growth while maintaining the service standards Ocean Pacific is known for.”
Business Examiner
