Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter (Hardanger Ships Preservation Centre) Foundation (HFS) was established in 1984. As a commercial foundation the centre is engaged in a broad spectre of services in ship preservation and conservation, building new and restoring old clinker built small boats, the rehabilitation of socially disadvantaged youth, apprenticeships, museum management, camp schools and activities related to tourism. HFS is one of three national ships preservation centres appointed by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage. HFS owns and operates the Hardanger s loop Mathilde. The Centre is located in Norheimsund, Hordaland County, some 70 kilometres from the city of Bergen on the west coast of Norway.

The Centre has 60 employees and a turnover in 2007 of approximately NOK 27 millions. 14. 000 guests visited the Centre and the Hardanger Sloop Mathilde in 2007.