 Alaska Marine Highway April 13, 2004
Falvey, 50, says he is pleased with the decision and ready for the challenge. "This was a great surprise. I'm very pleased and I'm ready to get down to business," he stated. "John's depth of experience in the maritime industry will be a valuable asset for the ferry system and marine highway as a whole," stated Commissioner Barton. "With the addition of two new vessels to our fleet, his skills and experience with fast vehicle ferries will be a large contributor to the success of our system as we transition." Captain Capacci says he is glad the job will be left in good hands. "John is a great team player and I have every confidence that his abilities will do good for the ferry system. For me, I had another opportunity that was too good to pass up. I look forward to my new prospects and I'm really glad John's taking the helm. I wish him the best of success." Falvey currently serves as the Fast Vehicle Ferry Port Captain in Juneau. His work experience draws on more than 27 years in commercial shipbuilding, ocean-class vessel and fast ferry operations, including crew management. Falvey graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy in 1976 and began his maritime career as a third officer in Unocal's ocean oil tanker fleet. In the following 21 years, Falvey worked through the ranks at Unocal to the position of unlimited master in command of the oil tanker Blue Ridge. Upon the closing of Unocal's marine department, Falvey entered the US fast ferry field and was employed with Fox Navigation in New London, Connecticut. Captain Falvey was one of the first four masters type rated under the International High Speed Code in the United States. He was also directly involved with the construction of two 45-meter gas turbine high-speed ferries, which were built to the International High Speed Code. Upon completion of construction, Falvey served as master aboard the high-speed ferries on routes covering Long Island Sound, the East River into New York City and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Before coming to Alaska last March, Captain Falvey also served as a type rated first officer aboard THE CAT, which is a 98-meter auto/passenger Incat fast vehicle ferry operated by Bay Ferries on an international route from Bay Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Captain Falvey and his wife,
Kimberly, a registered nurse for 28 years, say they have enjoyed
living in Southeast Alaska for the past year and look forward
to the new challenges.
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