On October 1, 2025 the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the Vancouver Police Foundation (VPF) proudly celebrated a historic milestone with the christening of the VPD’s brand-new Marine Unit vessel – the R.G. McBeath V.C.
The afternoon ceremony took place at the Marine Unit’s Main Street Docks, where VPD Chief Constable Steve Rai and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim were joined by distinguished guests, Marine Unit officers – past and present, senior members of the VPD, key donors Joanne Watts and Bruno Wall, as well as Board Members and staff of the Vancouver Police Foundation. Together, they marked the launch of a vessel that will serve Vancouver’s waterways for future decades while carrying the name of one of the most courageous figures in Vancouver Police history.
“Today isn’t just about launching a boat,” explained Chief Constable Rai. “It’s about honouring legacy, upholding tradition, and reinforcing our commitment to public safety on the water. Our Marine Unit undergoes operations in heavy seas, urgent rescues, high-risk boardings, and criminal interactions, often in dangerous and unpredictable conditions.”
Since it was established in 1911, the VPD’s Marine Unit has safeguarded Vancouver’s waterways, from the Fraser River to the Burrard Inlet, patrolling more than 160 kilometres of shoreline – which also includes 26 marinas, five marine areas, and one of the largest marine ports on the planet, the Port of Vancouver. Across this span of ocean, the Unit responds to nearly 1,000 calls for service each year, as officers apprehend suspects, conduct vessel checks, assist in search and rescue, recover casualties from the sea, support armed ship-boardings and other complex operations.
Despite these intense responsibilities, the VPD Marine Unit has only ever operated with two vessels: the rigid-hull inflatable Larry Young and the previous R.G. McBeath which is now over 15 years old. That vessel, originally scheduled for replacement in 2019, continued in service well past its intended lifespan and it was common in recent years for it to be out of service for up to nine weeks a year while undergoing repairs.
But replacing a police vessel is no small task. While the City of Vancouver contributed $1 million toward the new boat, the specialized requirements of a purpose-built police vessel raised the cost to $1.8 million. To close the gap, the VPD turned to the Vancouver Police Foundation for support.
Thanks to two remarkable gifts from Joanne Watts and the Sandpiper Foundation and Peter Wall/Wall Financial, totaling $1.15 million, not only was the new marine vessel secured, but critical upgrades to the Marine Unit’s boathouse could also be completed to accommodate the larger, more advanced vessel. Henry and Ruth Voss were also recognized for their generosity in helping secure a much-needed boathouse.
“We are proud to support the Vancouver Police Department by funding programs and initiatives that make Vancouver safer for all,” explains David Sung, Chair of the Board for the VPF. “From time to time, that also means helping the VPD acquire innovative technology and equipment when there is a significant gap between the City’s budget and what the Department requires. The Marine Unit is an especially important bridge to our community, and we are so grateful to those who made this new vessel possible.”
In keeping with tradition, the R.G. McBeath V.C. was christened with a ceremonial blessing, the unveiling of its name, and the symbolic breaking of a bottle against the bow. VPF donor and Marine Unit supporter Joanne Watts had the honour of carrying out the bottle tradition, using a bottle of ‘Final Salute’ whiskey from a B.C. distillery that donates proceeds from every sale to support the children of fallen officers, adding a deeply meaningful touch to the occasion.
But what’s in a name? The Marine Unit’s new flagship vessel, the R.G. McBeath V.C., carries more than just equipment and officers, it carries a legacy. Robert Gordon McBeath was born in Scotland and enlisted at just 16 years old in the Seaforth Highlanders during the First World War. At the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, he displayed extraordinary courage by single-handedly attacking and capturing several German machine-gun positions and taking numerous prisoners. For his heroism, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour of the British Empire.
After the war, McBeath immigrated to Vancouver and joined the VPD in October 1922. While on midnight patrol, he attempted to intervene with an armed suspect alongside a fellow officer but was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty at just 24 years old. His funeral was one of the largest in Vancouver’s history, a testament to his remarkable service both in war and in policing.
To honour his sacrifice, the VPD christened a police boat in his name more than 40 years ago, a tradition carried forward with each new flagship vessel. With its enhanced design and technical capabilities, the new R.G. McBeath V.C. will allow the VPD’s Marine Unit to meet the complex demands of policing Vancouver’s waterways while also ensuring McBeath’s courage and service will be honoured for decades to come.
For the Vancouver Police Foundation, this important public safety project demonstrates why we do our best to ensure officers have access to the best tools and technology when public funding falls short. Adds Sung “This project stands as a shining example of what is possible when the community comes together in support of public safety – helping make Vancouver safer for all.”
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
