The greatest shipbuilding company in the Grand Line, no, the entire world of One Piece! Galley-La is the main shipwright company of Water 7. They have a rich history dating back to the time of Tom’s Builders, legendary shipwrights of the Oro Jackson. They have a few notable members, and a long, intertwined history of pirates and intrigue.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for One Piece, available to stream on Crunchyroll or read the manga on Viz. Catch up before continuing here!
Where is Galley-La Company?
Galley-La Company resides in the many docks of Water 7, nestled in the Grand Line. It’s one of the three stops between Enies Lobby and Marineford. This also gives it access to the undersea prison Impel Down by extension. Galley-La doesn’t quite make up the entirety of Water 7, but it does account for most. They’re also most of the business and political inner workings of the town. It’s kind of hard not to when it’s run by the founder of Galley-La itself.
The company itself is one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world. It’s products are found throughout the seas (even in the live action series). Whether it be in the New World or East Blue, Galley-La supplies are everywhere. Thier ships are some of the main Marine vessels sailing in the seas.
Mayor Iceberg
The Mayor of Water 7 is also the founder of the Galley-La company. He’s an expert shipwright, trained under the great Tom, builder of the Oro Jackson. Iceberg studied diligently alongside the great Tom and his other apprentice Cutty Flam. All despite Flam’s many ridiculous inventions while they were trying to learn. Tom is taken and Cutty Flam dies, but Iceberg goes on to keep improving his craft. Eventually he founds Galley-La on his own. He’s incredibly kind and gentle with everyone he meets, and this earns him an amazing reputation among the workers.
It’s this reputation that eventually lets him transcend from Galley-La founder to Mayor. He’s incredibly beloved by all the citizens of Water 7. Now, he’s made it his mission to protect the city from rising water levels. Iceberg is one of the most integrity and honor-driven characters in the series. Definitely someone that most fans will root for no matter what.
Paulie
The most loyal member of the Galley-La company by far, Paulie is also the Ropes Master for the company. He’s amazing with ropes, able to tie any kind of knot needed, and always has length on hand for any situation. Paulie teams up with the Straw Hats when his fellow Galley-La workers turn out to be Cipher Pol agents. He’s mad, and he shows it by being one of the vital moving parts during the break-in in Enies Lobby. Paulie is the main one helping to lower the bridge to get everyone through. Along with Lulu, Tilestone, and Zambai, he keeps bringing honor to the integrity of Galley-La’s product today.
Cipher Pol 9 Infiltration
One of the darkest days of Water 7. The much-revered shipwrights Rob Lucci and Kaku, along with secretary Kalifa and bartender Blueno, reveal themselves as traitors. It’s one of the most unexpected reveals of the series pre-time skip. Then their attempted assassination of Iceberg sends everyone into disarray. While they aren’t caught right away, the eventual second attempt and kidnapping of Nico Robin sets off the desperate journey. Not only to save her, but for Galley-La to take revenge.
Without the alliance between Galley-La, Straw Hat Pirates, and the Franky Family, there wouldn’t have been an Enies Lobby incident. They help everyone get through the front lines. The Straw Hats in turn rescue Franky and Nico Robin from a fate worse than death.
Puffing Tom
After the Enies Lobby incident, the Galley-La Company kept going as the maintenance team for the Puffing Tom between building ships. Paulie is now the Vice-President, and Iceberg’s new assistant is definitely not old enough to hold a full-time job. They’re working on innovations now for the Puffing Tom though, and making it their goal to expand the tracks far beyond Water 7.
Galley-La is still a major part of the One Piece story, and recently got another check-in during the Egghead Island arc. The various builders and Mayor Iceberg himself will come into play in the later story for sure, especially if Franky still has those plans for the Ancient Weapon Pluton. In the meantime, the fantastic shipbuilders of the Galley-La Company will continue honing their craft for the struggles to come.
