How do I become a Merchant Mariner?

Does having a minor mental disability keep me from joining the merchant mariners?

• I'd like to know if someone who has a disability which inhibits but not incapacitates someone from doing physical and mental work on a ship be able to become a merchant mariner. I can see someone who is in a wheel chair or is severly autistic would probably not be qualified, but if the disability is so minor that unless one gets to know that person you would never know he's disabled, then i would think since being a merchant marine is not governemtn operated like the navy that it wouldn't be such a big deal. I need to know for sure though before going any further as ive already gotton my zeke and twic card and will be taking the physical exam this august and am paying a fortune to get all this taken care of.

• Answer:

  in the US --even governemtn agencies are not allowed to discriminate (but they do--anyway) if it does actually inhibit you--it may be an issue but if its unnoticabel--maybe