Fall River man goes from fixing golf ball machinery to lobstering during coronavirus layoff

FAIRHAVEN — As unemployment rises across the nation during the COVID-19 outbreak, those out of work are finding different ways to pass the time while complying with social distancing guidelines.

John Moniz, of Fall River, has taken to the sea after being laid off from his job at Titleist corporate headquarters in Fairhaven.

With the price of lobster having been significantly reduced due to the coronavirus crisis, however, Moniz isn’t doing it for the money.

Alone in his boat, Pride-N-Joy, Moniz has been lobstering, a change of scenery and of labor for the machinist millwright who, until recently, worked for the internationally known golf equipment brand.

“I’ve got the license and I’ve got the boat, too, so I like doing it and it’s a chance to at least do something during this time," Moniz said. "I’m not even doing it to make cash because it doesn’t even pay for me to go lobstering right now because the price is so low."

Lobstering also gives Moniz the chance to bring home a quality free meal.

With the decreased price of seafood making a small commercial lobstering operation unsustainable, Moniz, like many, has had to file for unemployment benefits from the state, being sent home with other full-time Titleist employees for indefinite time out of work.

“I’ve been laid off for almost two weeks now," Moniz said. "They gave us two weeks' pay and we’re supposed to be staying with our health insurance, but I don’t know how long that’s going to be. They just said, ‘You might be going back the week of May 9’ or something like that, whatever day it is, but that’s all we’ve heard.

“I fix machines and make parts and worked in the back in the distribution and packaging area. They closed it right down. It’s all closed down and nobody is there. I think some of the higher-ups may be working from home. Some probably were laid off, too.

“I wish this would just be over with so we can get back to a normal life, you know?”

Moniz docks Pride-N-Joy at Union Wharf in Fairhaven, taking the boat out to reel in the catch from his multiple traps while his wife works at Shaw’s in Fall River.

Acushnet Company President and CEO David Maher posted a statement on Titleist’s official website as an update to the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the statement, dated March 24, Maher said operations have been suspended at Acushnet Company to ensure the "health and well-being of our associates and their families.”

The statement read: “We hope that you and your loved ones are safe during these uncertain and trying times. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, our absolute top priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our associates and their families, our many partners, and all of the communities in which we live and work.”