Jonny Johnson
Jonny started sailing in the 1994 on the waters of the Puget Sound. He obtained his first U.S Coast Guard Masters License in 1998 and was certified by US Sailing as a Small Boat Sailing Instructor, and a Basic Keelboat Sailing Instructor about the same time. He currently holds a 100 Ton Inland Masters and Near Coastal Mate License.
Jonny was a Founding Member of Coupeville Maritime Heritage Foundation in 2015 and has been skippering Suva since that time. Contact Captain Jonny at jonnytar@hotmail.com.
Capt Zachary Simonson-Bond
Zach grew up in Coupeville. After high school he fell in love with traditional sailing aboard the historic schooner Adventuress (1913). Zach is a graduate of the University of Washington and the Northwest School of Wooden Boat building. He is also an alumni from Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology program. When not operating the schooner Suva, Zach runs his own business inspecting vessels: Kingspoke Marine Surveying, and is often accompanied by his golden retriever Bosun.
Capt Gene Reynolds
Gene joined the Suva crew in 2022. Gene has been sailing for over twenty-five years and skippering vessels on the Puget Sound since 2006. He has lived aboard and sailed all over North and Central America including the Caribbean. He holds a 50 ton Near Coastal Master’s License with sailing and towing endorsements. A helicopter pilot by trade, Gene works full-time as an aviation manager for Life Flight Network in the PNW. During some of his free time, Gene also works as a part-time captain for National Geographic.
Capt Gary McIntyre
Gary has been a sailor for over fifty years. He obtained his U.S. Merchant Marine Officers License in 2008 when he moved to Whidbey Island. When he was the Commodore for Whidbey Island Naval Sailing Association (WINSA), he trained navy personnel for recreational sailing. He has owned sailboats most of his life and currently has a 30 foot Catalina in Oak Harbor. Gary joined the Coupeville Maritime Heritage Foundation in 2016 and has been skippering Suva since that time.
Capt Johann Steinke
Johann started sailing on tallships back in 2005. He has been a captain off and on since 2015. During his career he has sailed old squareriggers and schooners, viking ships and even a luxury catamaran. He has written a childrens books series "The Greatest Captain in the World"... which is not about him. He also enjoys entertaining people with sailor songs and stories. Getting to captain a historic vessel like the Schooner Suva and getting to know the volunteers who do so much to keep her afloat, has been a real pleasure for him.
Capt Terry Ney
Terry first learned to sail as a teen at Boy Scout camp, returning to it about 15 years ago. He’s since earned multiple ASA certifications, including Instructor and Power Boat levels, and holds a USCG Master of 50 tons license. This is his first season aboard the schooner Suva, and he has taught with San Juan Sailing & Yachting since 2020.
He and his wife moved from Eugene, Oregon to Whidbey Island in 2020 and keep their Tayana Vancouver 42, Kestrel, moored in Oak Harbor. Recently retired after 45 years as a fire chief and paramedic.