From JP:


Dear Valued Customers and the Cuttyhunk Community,



After careful thought and consideration it is with sincere regret to inform you that I have decided to close the Cuttyhunk Water Taxi business and sell the Seahorse. Over the last 3 years I’ve been putting a lot of thought into this decision due to the decrease in passengers paired with the great increase in costs caused by inflation.


As you may have noticed over the past two years I have tried to make some adjustments to increase revenue which I feel has negatively affected the amount of passengers. Unfortunately I experienced engine problems earlier this week at a critical time of year when business is busier. It was determined I needed a new engine. This brought my decision to a turning point. Given all of these factors, I have made the very difficult decision to explore new potential career opportunities.




I want to thank everyone for their patronage and support of me and my business for the past 23 years. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the island community and you are all like family. Please keep in mind the Seahorse is available for sale and I am open to new career opportunities.




I look forward to seeing you all out on the island.




Best regards,



Captain John Paul Hunter
Cuttyhunk Water Taxi

JP was always a good guy.

Hopefully he finds something on the island.

I wish him and the family well. He was a lifeline for many here on our numerous Cuttyhunk trips... And a part of some great memories spent out there. Another sign that I am aging out of so many activities I have enjoyed over the years...

Thats a bummer. I remember the drama when Bob Gingrass stopped his seaplane service to the island. Back then, it was just him and the Alert. Quieter times.
Damn i love that place.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

JP was always our way onto and off the island. Like others here I was on the Seahorse dozens of times. Wishing the best of everything for John Paul.

Well that sucks

Hopefully someone will step up and fill the void.

This is such a bummer. I was supposed to be on Cuttyhunk this week and was taking my older son (8) with me and my Dad/brother for the first time. All three generations of us fishing the island for the first time. A family emergency forced us to cancel our trip, but already the less frequent schedule of the Alert was making logistics somewhat challenging.

My son was so excited to go on the seahorse and he was even more excited to leave a sticker of the logo for our little family fishing group on the exhaust stack like many have before.

When i got the text from Lena saying the trip was cancelled due to engine failure, my first thought was oh no i hope he doesn't shutter the business.

The flexibility JP offered on timing, etc. was crucial to planning a trip to this lovely, remote island... especially when you have to fly in from Texas like I do.

JP was always kind, happy to see us, and willing to help with whatever and whenever. I remember fishing there in the spring of 2016 right before my older son was born. My wife was a month away from her due date and she was nervous about me being able to get off the island in an emergency or in the middle of the night. I mentioned this to JP and he said, if anything happens, no matter the time, just knock on my door and i'll get you to the mainland.

I'll miss JP, the Seahorse, and the countless naps i've taken on those benches with feet propped up on a cooler...