History

Established in 2001 with more than 30 years of experience, F.J. Darley Traditional Shipwrights Pty. Ltd. comprises a team of professional time-served shipwrights who are the industry’s best. Based in Williamstown, Melbourne, F.J. Darley Traditional Shipwrights was founded by Ferdi Darley. Ferdi’s impressive shipwright services portfolio began with 10 years of square-rig and traditional sailing and rigging experience followed by a 6 -year shipwright/blacksmith apprenticeship, with T. Nielsen & Co. at Gloucester Docks, U.K. After a number of years amassing shipwright expertise in the UK, Ferdi and his wife Wendy, decided they wanted to return and raise their children in Australia. Securing the Head Shipwright position in the re-construction of the officers’ accommodation on the Polly Woodside, landed Ferdi and his family in Melbourne. The re-build and full restoration of their own vessel Ruthean, a 54” Laurent Giles yawl, saw them deciding to stay in Melbourne.