Johno Harris has worked at LPC for six years and loves his job working on the water out at sea. Johno’s career has been one of steady progress from lines supervisor to deckhand in the Marine team.

Formerly a registered social worker and outdoor educator, Johno started as a casual line supervisor, transitioning to a permanent role after two years. He was responsible for managing a team of linesmen tying up or letting go of a
vessel on the wharf with a pilot onboard.

“I would organise where the lines would go, with two spring lines at each end and four head lines and four stern lines to keep the ship secure on the berth,” Johno says.

“I valued the teamwork aspect of the role and enjoyed the variety of tasks, including working with the pilots and ensuring the safety of the vessel.”

He then trained as a deckhand on LPC’s pilot launch Awaroa and LPC Rescue, assisting pilots during critical transfers to and from vessels out at sea day and night, the arrival of car ships and high winds.

Johno also studied for his commercial skipper’s ticket, preparing for the next step in his career.

“I was in the best position I could be to successfully get a full-time role as a deckhand and relieving skipper.”

He worked on the two Lyttelton tugs Blackadder and Piaka, assisting in the arrival and departure of vessels from the jetties and wharves.

A year later, Johno was signed off as a launch master and a relief skipper on the pilot launch.

The role involves navigating the challenging sea conditions day or night and coordinating with pilots their safe transfer to and from vessels at the pilot station two nautical miles off the Lyttelton Heads.

“I love the challenging sea conditions delivering and picking up pilots at the pilot station. We manoeuvre the launch alongside, stick hard up against the vessel, travelling together at 8 knots beneath the ship’s pilot ladder to
provide the best platform for the pilot transfer.”

Johno says he is working towards becoming a full-time skipper.

“It requires patience and commitment to get the role.”

The positions are sought after, and he knows he will have to wait his turn.

“I love overcoming the challenges of the sea, be it flat and calm or large steep swells up to 6 metres at times.”

Johno says he gets the greatest satisfaction from being in the marine environment out on the sea.

“I have seen a lot of sunrises and sunsets. The sea offers an unmatched sense of freedom and adventure, and you never know what the sea will hold,” he says.