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A major milestone in the build of your new Daintree Ferry, the keel has been laid at Birdon's shipyard in Port Macquarie, regional NSW. Here's what that means and what comes next.
If you've ever watched a house go from a slab to something that actually looks like a home, keel laying is the shipbuilding version of that moment.
It signifies the moment of transition from design to production of a maritime vessel. It is an ancient maritime tradition dating back to Viking and Roman times, designed to bless a newly constructed ship and bring good luck and safe voyages to its future captain and crew. From here, the build moves into major hull assembly and fabrication and things start to move quickly.
During the ceremony, a unique commemorative coin was embedded into the keel, serving as a blessing for the vessel's construction and its time at sea. A copy of the Daintree River Ferry commemorative coin will also be presented to Douglas Shire Council as a memento of the occasion.
For the team who've been working on this since construction began in January, it's a proud milestone. For the community, it's a visible sign that the ferry you'll rely on for decades is well on its way.
You can view the Daintree Ferry Keel Laying ceremony here: [insert link]
The build follows a defined sequence of stages. Now that the keel is laid, the project moves into:
Safety and quality are built into every stage, from the first weld to the final sea trial.
The new vessel is designed to reduce wait times, improve reliability, and serve the Douglas Shire community for decades to come.
We also recognise the environmental and cultural significance of the Daintree region, and we're committed to operating responsibly and transparently within it.
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