[1][2] The ship was initially powered by two National Gas 6-cylinder geared diesel engines driving two controllable-pitch propellers, creating 2,100 brake horsepower (1,600 kW).

[3] The ship carried 240.00 m3 (52,790 imp gal) of diesel fuel giving Provo Wallis a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km) at 11 knots (20 km/h) and the vessel could stay at sea for up to 20 days.

[3] The ship was constructed by Marine Industries at their yard in Sorel, Quebec and was commissioned in October 1969.

[2][3] The ship was named in honour of Provo Wallis, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

[3] In 2003 CCGS Provo Wallis was placed in cold lay-up/mothballed at CCG Base Dartmouth but was reactivated in 2006 and sailed to British Columbia where she replaced her sister ship Bartlett which was placed in cold lay-up until refit in 2010.