Where the old lifeboats go - Deas Pacific Marine Inc. 12800 Rice Mill Road, Richmond BC V6W 1A1

BC Ferries has operated a refit and maintenance facility on the south arm of the Fraser River since 1962. The facility, called Deas Dock when it was a department of BC Ferries, is located in Richmond across from Deas Island. The facility also provided BC Ferries with an emergency repair capability.

In 2003, the refit and maintenance facility became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the new, commercial company, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. The new subsidiary, Deas Pacific Marine Inc, commenced operations on July 1st, 2003. The facility continues to provide maintenance, refits, repairs, component rebuilds and automotive services to BC Ferries and is working to develop other customers in the ship maintenance and repair market.

DPM offers several services, an outline is provided here. The full list is contained in the Customer and Contractor Guide.

Deas Pacific Marine has four vessel berths with Ro-Ro ramps, and three alongside berths; all berths are serviced.

Storage Yard - on the west side of the the BC Ferry Bay on Lulu Island - February, 2007.

Machine Shop: Removal and re-installations of heavy machinery and equipment; overhaul of propulsion thrusters and engine components; attending to structural steel repairs on vessels; piping systems repair and replacement; fabrication of components; measurement and reconditioning of components.
Rigging: Inspection and replacement of all cordage - mooring lines, lifebuoy lines, passenger control lines/barriers and flag halyards; manufacture of slings, strops, etc. and splicing a variety of wires and ropes.
Ship Safety Equipment: Annual inspection and count of all lifejackets; checking lifeboat equipment and replacement as required by Regulatory Authorities.
Life Saving Appliances: Annual servicing and repairs to inflatable life rafts; annual servicing and repairs to release hooks.
Shipwrights: Manufacture of deck and shelving requirements; manufacture and repair of thin gauge metal products; inspection and maintenance of fire doors and other internal doors.
Upholstery: Manufacture of all fabric covers; repairs to fabric and foam in all vessel seating.
Marine Coatings: Structural surface preparation and coating application on vessel interior and above the waterline on vessel exterior.
Sign Shop: Signage and decal application on coated surfaces; sign fabrication.
Marine Electricians: Responding to emergency troubleshooting and repair requests from operational vessels; switchboard and power distribution maintenance; generator and motor maintenance.
Automotive: Automotive mechanical and electrical maintenance and repairs in shop and in the field; air care inspection and certification.