About Us
We are the crew of the Ocean Explorer—four people from different places and walks of life, brought together by a shared love for adventure, life on the water, and serving others along the way.
As we restore and outfit our vessel for long-range travel and serious fishing, we are learning that the journey is rarely predictable. Plans change, equipment breaks, weather turns, and sometimes God redirects our course entirely. Through it all, we keep moving forward—one repair, one lesson, and one adventure at a time.
Ocean Explorer
Willy searched for more than two years, even though he had no idea whether he could cover the cost of an ocean-going, liveaboard vessel.
Then why search, you ask? Great question.
God told him to look—so look he did.
During one of those searches, Willy traveled from Alabama to Rhode Island to see an older 80-foot boat. He inspected her, took pictures, and continued searching. Not wasting a second, he soon found the Ocean Explorer, a 60-foot, Ray Hunt-designed aluminum vessel built in 1986. Although nearly 40 years old, she had been well maintained by her previous owner and had spent her life working commercially on the water.
The Ocean Explorer traveled between New York and Bermuda while being used to research green sea turtles. Under her second owner, she performed sonar work for NOAA and accumulated approximately 17,000 hours on her repowered engines—a pair of Iveco V8 twin-turbo diesels.
When Willy took ownership, it was time for a complete refit. But before settling into boat projects, he headed directly into an Atlantic Ocean storm to see what she could do.
The original plan was to reach Florida in three weeks.
Well…God had other plans.
Three months and three weeks—to the day—after leaving Rhode Island, Willy and the Ocean Explorer made it only as far as South Carolina. That unexpected journey brought storms, breakdowns, lessons, new friendships, and more than a few moments when God’s protection was unmistakable.
You can watch that entire adventure on our Wandering Willy YouTube channel.
Meet the Crew
Willy — Captain and Dreamer
Willy is the captain and the heart behind Wandering Willy. He dreamed of creating a life built around fishing, exploring, meeting people, and helping wherever he could. He is usually at the helm, working on the next boat project, studying the weather, or deciding—sometimes at the very last minute—where the next adventure will take us.
His willingness to listen to God, search faithfully, and dream boldly is what brought the Ocean Explorer and this unlikely crew together.
Pepper — First Mate and Storyteller
Pepper is our bookkeeper, galley lead, first mate, and the voice behind many of the stories shared from onboard. She keeps the crew fed, the numbers organized, the lines handled, and the journey documented from her unique perspective.
A cancer survivor and woman in recovery, Pepper knows what it means to be carried through storms. Her faith is at the center of everything she does, and she believes God has used every part of her story to prepare her for such a time as this.
Jim “Gumbo” — Repair Lead and Problem Solver
Jim, better known as Gumbo, is our repair lead and resident problem solver. On a vessel nearly 40 years old, something always needs attention, and Gumbo has a gift for studying a problem, getting his hands dirty, and finding a way forward.
His knowledge, steady presence, and willingness to tackle just about anything make him an essential part of keeping the Ocean Explorer safe and moving.
Frank — Seamstress, Organizer, and Crew Member
Frank brings creativity, determination, humor, and plenty of personality to the boat. A fellow cancer survivor, she understands the strength it takes to face life’s storms and keep moving forward.
As our onboard seamstress, Frank helps repair, create, and improve the many things a traveling vessel needs—from practical projects to the little touches that make the Ocean Explorer feel like home. She is also the organizer of our crew and a great list maker, helping us keep track of provisions, projects, and the endless details of life aboard.
Frank continues to learn every part of boat life, including handling lines, navigating tight spaces, and laughing through the lessons none of us saw coming.
Jetty — Ship Dog and Morale Officer
No crew introduction would be complete without Jetty, our four-legged shipmate. Jetty keeps watch, supervises projects, explores new places, and reminds everyone when it is time to stop working and enjoy the journey.
More Than an Adventure
Wandering Willy is about more than traveling the world or catching fish. It is about people, places, purpose, and following Jesus beyond the horizon.
Our future plans include establishing Faith Afloat Ministries as the outreach arm of our journey. Through this ministry, we hope to serve the communities we encounter, share the hope found in Christ, lend a hand wherever one is needed, and become true “fishers of men.”
This vision is still growing, and we are trusting God to reveal what it will become in His perfect timing. We do not always know where we are going next, how long it will take us to get there, or exactly how He will use this vessel and crew. We simply trust God with the course and try to remain willing when He calls.
Come aboard, follow the journey, and grow with us as we learn what it really means to live, serve, fish, and explore together.
Let’s Wander Together.