In 1992, upon returning to
the United States, Darren began Vigilant Design. Over the last 21 years, he has
grown the business from a small operation under his father’s auto body shop to
a sizeable design and fabrication business operating in a 12,000 square foot
building in Jersey City. The focus of Vigilant Design is fabricating high-end
furniture and architectural metal work. In addition to building the pieces,
Darren often works in collaboration with designers, architects, and machinists
to resolve mechanical and technical issues.
In 1999, Darren embarked on
another project. He traveled north to Newfoundland, Canada to purchase and
begin a restoration of tugboat Bertha and ultimately sail Bertha to his home of
New York City. His father Paul
Vigilant and Wally Pennell, the former owner of the tug, accompanied Darren on
this voyage down the coast.
Bertha’s restoration has been
continuous and is very close to completion. Restoring Bertha has been Darren's passion for 14 years.
