10/07/2025
In Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, lobster fishing is both a legacy and a livelihood. For Captain Curtis Halliday, a career commercial lobsterman and long-time ZF customer, it’s also deeply personal.
“I have salt in my blood. This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle,” says Halliday in ZF’s latest blog series—a four-part behind-the-scenes look into his world, his custom vessel Haul A Day, and the ZF propulsion system that helps power it all.
The series, available on ZF’s website, explores Halliday’s hands-on approach to the demanding life of commercial fishing, his self-built boat, and the gear that keeps him on the water through long, frigid, and often unpredictable days at sea.
Curtis and his crew are their busiest from November through May, during the official commercial lobster season. In the early months, days begin well before dawn—often around 2:00 a.m.—and stretch into 60-hour work weeks depending on the weather and the biomass of lobster.
During prime hauling periods, Curtis and his crew stay out overnight, rotating shifts to maximize productivity. Comforts on board include a microwave, oven, slow cooker, fridge, and generator-powered electricity. “We basically have all the accommodations you have at home,” he says. But sleep comes in short windows. Curtis often takes on the overnight watches himself to make sure his team is rested and sharp for the next day’s haul.
It’s an intense, all-consuming lifestyle. That’s why Curtis swears by ZF’s propulsion systems to help keep operations safe and efficient, no matter the conditions.
Read more: https://www.nationalfisherman.com/salt-in-his-blood-captain-halliday-has-zf-gear-powering-his-legacy
