Amputee’s Single Handed Solo Voyage

A British Army veteran who overcame life-changing injuries to make history as the world’s first triple amputee to sail solo across the Pacific Ocean has launched a film documenting his historic voyage.

Single handed launched exclusively on YouTube this week captures 35- year-old Craig Wood’s extraordinary courage and determination navigating 7,500 nautical miles nonstop over 90 days from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Hiroshima, Japan.

The film offers an opportunity to hear directly from Craig about the physical and mental demands of the expedition aboard his 41-foot catamaran, Sirius II, the obstacles he faced when his boat became damaged and he broke his prosthetic arm, but also the peace and spirituality behind his determination to get to the finish line and be reunited with his growing family.

Craig, who LWD interviewed shortly after his epic journey for a feature in our Autumn 2025 edition, managed to raise over £55k for Blesma and Turn To Starboard – two charities that inspired him to replace his ‘missing limbs with sea legs’.

In 2009 Craig lost both legs and his left hand in an IED blast in Afghanistan. His face was also ravaged by shrapnel. Waking up 14 days later from an induced coma, nothing would ever be the same again.  

It took eight months for Craig to learn to walk again and four-and-a-half years of rehabilitation work at the dedicated Headley Court facility in Surrey to improve his quality of life.  

Back home as a triple-amputee, he returned to the hobby his father had shared with him as a child on their family trips to Bridlington - sailing.

Single handed opens the audience to Craig’s extraordinary story providing an insight into the person behind the records and the experiences, the setbacks and resolve that shaped his journey as well as moments of enlightenment and appreciation for the world around him. It is a story that challenges perceptions of disability and explores what can be achieved when determination meets opportunity.

“A solo Pacific crossing is difficult in general, not just for a triple amputee but I wanted to show other disabled people what we can achieve because we’re not incapable, we’re disabled,” said Craig.

“In it, I talk about the preparations I made for the crossing, including a ‘Craig design’ airbag system made from six car airbags attached to the boat to avoid sinking if the boat became damaged and my anxiety about the mental toll the challenge will have on me.

“Ultimately, this film documents my journey towards appreciating my mind and it’s out-the-box thinking ability, how much resilience I have and this isn't just about sailing. It's about showing that even after being blown up, after losing your legs and your hand, life isn't over. You can still do something that matters.”

Single handed is available to stream exclusively on YouTube now at: Single Handed - Conquering the pacific

Photo credit: Gareth Davies & Craig Wood Sails