December 16, 2025
Police Department
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Assistant Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
Contract with Bay Marine Boatworks Inc. dba Svendsen's
Bay Marine to Provide Repair and Maintenance Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed total three-year expenditure of $300,000 with the option for one two-year extension of $200,000 is included within the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Police Department budget and will be budgeted
accordingly in subsequent fiscal year budgets (Account
String: 01194021 - 400501).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department’s vessels “Liberty” and
“Rescue” are essential in responding to emergencies,
providing security to high-asset locations (Port of
Richmond, Chevron Refinery, S.F. Bay Ferry, and
Richmond/San Rafael Bridge), and preventing derelict
vessels from illegally mooring on the shorelines of the City of Richmond. Both vessels need repairs and ongoing maintenance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a three-year sole source contract with Bay
Marine Boatworks Inc. dba Svendsen's Bay Marine to
provide repair and ongoing maintenance services for a
total contract amount not to exceed $300,000, for a
three-year term effective December 17, 2025, through
December 16, 2028, with one two-year extension options
not to exceed an additional $200,000, for a total contract up to $500,000 – Police Department (Assistant Chief
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
Timothy Simmons 510-620-6651/Lieutenant Joseph
England 510-620-6661).
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Police Department’s (RPD) police vessels known as “Liberty” and “Rescue” are crucial assets for the safety and security of the citizens and visitors of Richmond. The City of Richmond has 32 miles of shorelines, that comprise of very high security assets, that include the Port of Richmond, Chevron Refinery, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. Richmond waterways also include many residents whom live on the waterways. The Richmond Police Department’s vessels also play a pivotal role in community events, like the 3rd of July fireworks show and deterring illegal mooring/anchoring on the Richmond shorelines.
Police boat “Liberty” is a 37-foot duel jet drive catamaran hulled vessel, built in 2013, powered by two Cummins diesel engines. The vessel is equipped with technology, including Lowrance Radar, Lowrance Sonar, Global Positioning System (GPS), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Infrared Camera, and High-Intensity Search Lights. Police boat “Rescue” is a 28-foot aluminum hulled vessel, built in 2002, powered by two Kawasaki outboard engines (225 HP). The vessel is equipped with technology, including Lowrance Radar and a High-Intensity Search Light.
These vessels are stored on boats lifts in the Marina Bay Harbor and are subject to saltwater corrosion. Over time, these vessels have been subject to corrosion on the hulls and decks of the vessels due to the saltwater elements. This includes vessel paint chipping away and corrosion pitting on the hulls of each vessel. Neglecting these issues is compromising the effectiveness and safety of emergency response and prevention on the waterways of the City of Richmond. Richmond Police Department staff rely on these vessels to be ready in a moment’s notice. These vessels also have important equipment, like the FLIR system, sonar system, VHF radios, and navigation systems that need repair or upgrading for effective response to critical incidents.
Given these concerns, the department reached out to Moose Boats, LLC, “Liberty” vessel manufacturer, for repair services for this unique non-trailered vessel. Moose Boats LLC was unable to undertake the project and instead recommended Svendsen’s Bay Marine, a local Richmond vendor authorized to service the hull, Cummins engines, and other onboard technology. The vendor has extensive experience in marine repair and maintenance, to include servicing vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard, and has demonstrated proficiency in handling complex systems and equipment in law enforcement vessels.
The RPD seeks City Council approval for a sole-source repair and maintenance contract with Svendsen’s Bay Marine. This vendor is recommended by the boat manufacturer and is identified as the only local provider capable of performing the required work (Attachment 1). Selecting a sole-source vendor ensures that all repairs
December 16, 2025
are completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for both vessels, which is critical for maintaining vessel integrity and safety.
Using any other vendor presents several risks. Contracting with a non-local provider would require transporting the vessels by trailer; however, the Police Department does not have trailers for either vessel, nor an adequate towing vehicle to transport Liberty by roadway. Transporting the vessels by water to a marina outside the area could also be dangerous, especially in the event of catastrophic hull or engine damage. These factors increase both safety risks and operational costs.
Svendsen’s Bay Marine eliminates these challenges because both vessels can be transported by water to their facility. In addition, the company currently services the Fire Department’s vessel, Victory, and has demonstrated expertise in maintaining the complex systems found on these vessels, including twin diesel turbo engines, advanced radar, sonar, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, and GPS technology.
Svendsen’s Bay Marine has outlined the services they will provide, including engine inspections, repairs, maintenance, addressing/correcting corrosion, and technology equipment repairs and/or replacement (Attachment 2). Providing essential repair and maintenance will keep Richmond Police vessels on the waterways to ensure public safety. The RPD requests that the City Council approve the repair and maintenance contract so that the department may authorize the vendor for the repairs and maintenance of our police vessels as needed.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Sole Source Justification Form
Attachment 2 – Standard Contract