Jessica Watson - Aussie Girl to Sail Solo Around the World

Australian teenager, Jessica Watson has struck more than a sea-going freighter in her plans to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Her dream is being condemned by many as "reckless", but she refuses to back down amid the publicity her plans have attracted.

As if nothing more could go wrong, Jessica is now mourning the loss of one of her mentors, Andrew Short (a veteran of 16 Sydney to Hobart races) and his friend Sally Gordon (a highly experienced ocean yacht racer) in a freak accident off the New South Wales south coast early on Saturday, 10 October. Mr Short and Ms Gordon were killed when their yacht was smashed into pieces on a rocky island south of Sydney.

Prior to this tragedy, Jessica had not confirmed a departure date, but she is still determined to set sail on her record-breaking attempt.

Inspired by Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail solo non-stop unassisted around the world, and Jesse Martin, the youngest person so far to achieve the feat, Jessica (a schoolgirl from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland) is taking on a huge challenge. She wants to break Jesse Martin's record.

Jesse, who sailed from Port Phillip Bay, in Victoria, Australia to set the record in 1999, celebrated his 18th birthday during his journey. Jessica wants to return home before she turns 17 in May 2010 to take a year off Jesse's record.

The sea voyage is more than 40,000km - a distance that is expected to take between seven and eight months.

The yacht:

Jessica's yacht is a Sparkman and Stephens 34, which became famous after Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin used the brand of yacht for their history-making solo circumnavigations. Sparkman and Stephens yachts are popular vessels used in the Sydney to Hobart blue water classic.

Off to a bad start:

The 16-year-old adventurer arrived in Sydney on Monday, 6 October, after a five-day trial trip from the Gold Coast on her yacht Ella's Pink Lady.

It was her second trial run to Sydney. On 9 September, her first voyage ended prematurely when her yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne cargo vessel off North Stradbroke Island, Queensland.

Queensland Marine Safety inspectors found, among other things, she had probably dozed off before the collision, did not turn on a warning device, could not produce a clear, plotted plan for her journey and had kept a log with "irregular latitude and longitude entries". These findings sparked numerous comments as to whether Jessica is technically competent to undertake such a journey.

A group of Gold Coast boat repairers quickly clubbed together to effect a rushed $50,000 repair job on Jessica's craft and she has continued on to Sydney in readiness for the commencement of her challenge.

Divided opinion:

Comments on television and in the press have been mixed. Some say Jessica should "go for it". Others condemn Jessica's parents, Roger and Julie Watson, as being irresponsible to allow their schoolgirl daughter to embark on this voyage. Many fear for Jessica's safety while others think she is just too young and inexperienced to be in this situation.

Several high profile Australian yachtsmen have thrown their support behind Jessica, but others have warned that the teenager could face doom.

Other commentators in Australia ask "Who should pay to rescue Jessica if things go wrong?" This question arises because Australia has had to rescue other seafarers at taxpayer expense. In 1997, British sailor Tony Bullimore was the subject of a major sea rescue. Community outrage erupted because Bullimore was not expected to chip in for part of the cost of his rescue. It was totally funded by Australian taxpayers.

Realizing a dream:

Jessica seems determined to go ahead with the voyage. It is her dream to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

So, should a teenager be allowed to chase a dream when it has such high risk factors? Is 16 too young to be out in the ocean at one with the elements with nobody to help if something goes wrong?

Most people would think twice about letting a 16 year old take on a dangerous adventure like this. Who is to say what Jessica should and should not do. Many teenagers these days have no dreams. They are stuck in a pit of apathy with no direction in life, let alone such an ambitious desire to achieve a world record for a dangerous venture. No doubt, Jessica has been made aware of the risks, and all the support in the world won't save Jessica if she encounters other perilous situations at sea. On the other hand, if this feisty teenager can pull off this amazing maritime feat, she will be lauded as capable well beyond her years.

I guess all that needs to be said now is - "Go Jessica!". Let's all pray for her safe journey and that she achieves her dream to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Sources:

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26189268-3102,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/indepth/section/0,,5019132,00.html

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