W23 — THE PILOT BOAT*
We recently had the opportunity to witness the brave and essential work of the pilot boats off the coast of Taranaki, New Zealand. Rain, hail, or shine, these pilots and vessels guide ships safely into port, ensuring the economy keeps moving smoothly.
We were fortunate to follow Willis Luttrel on one of these trips, and it was a rare calm day off the coast.These jet pilot boats are incredibly impressive and can handle big seas in tight areas when dropping off pilots, with an average day being 20-30knts and 2m plus seas.
Willis has been doing this work for a few years now, and you can tell he has a deep love and respect for the ocean as a skipper and fisherman. His passion for the sea runs deep, and he embodies the spirit of “Just Another Fisherman.”
Special thanks to
Matt Queree ~ mattqueree.com
The Pilot ~ Willis Luttrell