#Context
Verifly served as the primary digital health pass during the pandemic, automating compliance checks to prevent massive bottlenecks at airports and seaports. I led the critical B2B integration with SeaCare, the medical clearance platform used to relaunch operations for Carnival Cruise Line and Viking.
#Problem
Following a landmark contract win with Carnival, we faced an immovable target: the high-profile return to sea of the flagship Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral, Florida on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
The timeline was aggressive, but the timing was worse. As we sprinted to build the integration, the global holiday travel season was beginning. We were walking into a perfect storm of technical constraints.
IATA Data showing International RPKs rising from ~14% of normal levels (Jan 2021) to ~42% (Dec 2021)—a near tripling of active volume throughout the year.
CDC Press Release (Dec 6, 2021): "Effective December 6, all air passengers... must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel.
#Strategy
To manage the massive holiday load while meeting the Carnival deadline, I implemented a strategy focused on prioritization, caching, and synchronization.
#1. Monetizing the Traffic Surge
I engineered a Premium Users Priority System to handle the surge. Instead of a standard FIFO model, I built a logic-based queue that allowed paid users to "cut the line." This monetized the high demand while ensuring critical passengers were processed first.
#2. Targeted AI & OCR Optimization
I prioritized country-specific OCR tuning for our highest-volume routes, drastically improving data matching rates. I also connected our internal AI tool to a feedback loop: every time a human corrected a document, that data retrained the model, increasing automation daily.
#3. Cryptographic Hashing
I implemented cryptographic hashing to fingerprint every file. If a document was verified once, we cached that decision. Any subsequent upload of the same file was instantly auto-approved, cutting duplicate work by ~30% and clearing the queue.
#4. Bidirectional Integration & Coordination
I architected a bidirectional integration with SeaCare, ensuring our systems "talked" in real-time to keep medical statuses synced. Simultaneously, I led the technical coordination with Carnival’s operations team, aligning our engineering efforts to land the pilot launch on time.
#Impact
#Reflection
Looking back, this project was a masterclass in high-stakes agility. The requirements didn't just change; they evolved daily as global regulations shifted. Yet, instead of chaos, we found a rhythm. Working under such tight deadlines with a brilliant team and a supportive CTO turned a pressure cooker into one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. There is a unique satisfaction in shipping code on Friday and seeing it help thousands of families board their dream vacation on Saturday. It proved that with the right team and the right strategy, even a "perfect storm" is navigable.
