Can An Amputee Get A Commercial Sailing Licence

[chucklet321]

Can an amputee get a licence to crewed charter a boat???

[captainKJ]

what R U missing, NO disrespect meant. and do you mean just to bareboat a yacht or buy your own and be the captain?????

[atoll]

you should read this,much more interesting than trolling on the internet

Tristan Jones Web Site - Outward Leg

[denverd0n]

Not sure what you mean by "crewed charter a boat." Are you wanting to be the crew? The captain? Or the charterer?

In any case, there are no rules, laws, or restrictions that say you can't do any of the above if you don't have all of your limbs (at least, not in the U.S.A.). There are, of course, practical limitations. If you are unable to perform the activities required by the position then you won't be able to fill that position... Obviously.

[Jeannius]

In the UK you do have to have a medical to upgrade the standard pleasure captain's license to a commerically endorsed license. This is needed to be the captain of a boat taking paying guests.

I think you would fail this medical if, for instance, your disability meant you couldn't tie knots and handle lines competently. I can't think of anything in the medical that you would fail if you are missing a leg.

[bobconnie]

I don't know about any Lic. But Ive seen amputees sailing all over the world !! some missing legs or arms ect, unless ya lost your desire to sail ya should be able to figure out a way !! Just my 2 cents

[Geoduck]

Yes! But they have to go before a board to prove they are "able bodied seamen"
I have a friend in Alaska who lost both arms as a child in a wild fire. He has a skippers license and runs charter boats out of Seward, AK. He had to fight like hell to get the chance to prove he could do it and it took an act of congress but he won his battle and got his 6 pack license back in 79 or 80. He's been packing pukers ever since. They call him "Capt Hooks"
He also sailed a Cheoy Lee Rob from Fla to south Pacific, Hawaii, Alaska - mostly single handed or as he says "alone & unarmed".

[Bash]

All applicants pursuing a USCG license must take a medical exam in which they must prove that they are capable of doing the job. Forms and regulations regarding the exam can be found at this website: General Requirements - USCG National Maritime Center

[twistedtree]

Originally Posted by Bash

All applicants pursuing a USCG license must take a medical exam in which they must prove that they are capable of doing the job. Forms and regulations regarding the exam can be found at this website: General Requirements - USCG National Maritime Center

That's the answer if you are looking to be the skipper and take out paying passengers. You will need to get a waiver saying you are capable of performing the job despite your handicap. It's likely achievable, but will take some work.

[David M]

Call the Coast Guard National Maritime Center for more specifics on who and where at the Coast Guard you can get your question answered. Nobody on this forum is qualified to give you a yes or no answer.

1 888 427-5622

[belizesailor]

Since your post title refers to a commercial license I assume that by "crewed charter a boat" you mean with you as captain carrying passengers for hire.

There are no specific restrictions regarding amputees for USCG license that I know of. If you can pass the USCG medical evaluation then you can get a license.

Color blindness is the only condition I know of that will stop you at square one.

[Travelnik]

Maybe you should finish your double circumnavigation first Chucklet.

Or are you going to be the first amputee double circumnavigator?

[Dulls]

its very hard if you are a neck amputee.