Idea for “FishAbility” – Accessible Fishing Trips in Alaska – is hatched.

Capt. Jack Finnegan has offered fishing trips in Ketchikan for many years. But Finnegan also has years of experience working with adults experiencing a variety of disabilities.

These two skill sets finally mashed up in Finnegan’s head when it became obvious that his fishing boats were not wheelchair accessible. The idea for “Fishability Alaska” was born.

Finnegan’s quest is to construct a custom boat with accessibility as a core design component. Travelers using wheelchairs are just one set of visitors. “Not all disabilities are visible,” said Finnegan. “Sometimes visitors with disabilities includes hearing or vision impediments, or PTSD,” he said.

Finnegan has some good stories about helping blind visitors catch fish. But with the bow lander on his boat-of-dreams, he could run up on the beach so folks could go beachcombing, tide-pooling or explore wilderness trails on a far-off island. Read more.