The Australian Article said she had done 6000 ocean miles and 5000 miles. That is certainly a lot more than I have!! At an average of say 5 knots that is almost 100 days.

It also mentioned that her family lived aboard a motor cruiser up and down the costs for some time. Have motor cruising hours been counted in the above I wonder?

Anyway if these are genuine sailing hours then good luck to her. I wonder why her website doesn't say this?

A few interesting comments in a new article...

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/comm ... 02,00.html

Since it appears that Jessica is actually going to get to the starting line it's probably time to put the best wishes of everyone behind her. I don't think the attempt is a good idea at her age and with her physique, but if she's going to do it then she'll need all the positive reinforcement and support she can get especially when the going gets tough as we all know(as does Jessica I'm sure) it will from time to time. I'm not sure how many solo ocean miles she's done but getting to the start in Sydney via Lord Howe could be just the "pre season" she needs.

I don't like it but I'll be willing her along all the way.

Cheers
argus

I agree with Argus.

Best of luck to Jessica.

From BrisbaneTimes.com.au

CHRISTINE KELLETT
September 8, 2009 - 10:15AM

Schoolgirl skipper Jessica Watson has pushed off from Mooloolaba Wharf today on a week-long test run ahead of her record attempt to circumnavigate the globe on her own.

Ms Watson, 16, of Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast, hopes to become the youngest person ever to sail around the world unassisted in her 10-metre sloop Ella's Pink Lady when it leaves Sydney for the Tasman Sea later this month.

She will spend the next 10 days sailing south - the longest time she has spent on her own aboard the pink-coloured yacht.

The "rules" she has set for herself include only using wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed on the 22,000-nautical-mile journey. She will also have to carry out her own repairs.

Ms Watson has just left her berth.

------------------------------------------
'Yes I can': schoolgirl's solo quest
Jessica's solo sail 'irresponsible'
Dutch skipper, 13, banned from voyage
------------------------------------------

"Everyone's been asking whether I'm feeling nervous but to be honest, I just can't wait to leave," Ms Watson wrote in her blog, which she will use to log her voyage, expected to take seven months.

"I plan on taking around 10 days to sail down to Sydney so that I get plenty of time on the water the test all the systems and give Ella's Pink Lady a good run in."

Ms Watson, who was 15 when she announced her solo ambition in May, has polarised public opinion on the safety of a teenager sailing around the world by herself.

Her decision, which has the full backing of her mother Julie and father Roger, has attracted criticism from parents groups.

The debate was reignited last month when a Dutch court blocked 13-year-old Laura Dekker's attempt to set her own solo sailing world record, citing "serious concerns" and temporarily placing her in state care.

Ms Watson hopes to shave a year off the current record set by Victorian Jesse Martin, who completed his solo voyage in 1999, aged 18.

Her yacht is the same design as that used in Mr Martin's successful journey.

Ms Watson spent the weekend packing food supplies onto the boat and will stay in constant contact via a satellite phone, her spokeswoman said.

"She's fully outfitted," the spokeswoman said, citing internet access including a web cam.

"She's done a couple of solo sails already, she's taken [the boat] out for a couple of days on her own.

"She's on a pretty tight schedule and the trip has been delayed a few times due to the weather."

A mission statement posted on Ms Watson's website acknowledges the dangers of the journey.

"In her quest, to reach what is considered the absolute pinnacle of sailing, Jessica will pit herself against mother nature and all she can deliver including the notorious Southern Ocean as well as the physical and psychological demands of eight months alone at sea," the statement reads.

"In doing so, Jessica wants to show that even the most gentle among us can achieve great things and with determination and the support of those around us can live our dreams."

Apparently lost her mast in a collision with a ship after less than 24hrs.

"She has contacted her parents who in turn called AMSA. She advised that her boat had suffered quite a bit of damage to the vessel and the mast but she herself is okay."

From news.com.au

so did she hit the ship or did the ship hit her?

wow realy surprised at this, just so happened to happen close to the coast

Without knowing any of the details, one would have to assume the ship had right of way being a commercial vessel.

This is actually pretty sad...

I agree - it is indeed pretty sad. Maybe, hopefully, she has had her bit of bad luck for the voyage?



From the "International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea:



Except where rule 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require:

(a)A power driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i)a vessel not under command;

(ii)a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii)a vessel engaged in fishing;

(iv)a sailing vessel;

(b) A sailing vessel under way shall keep out of the way of:

(i)a vessel not under command;

(ii)a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii)a vessel engaged in fishing;"

The only "Commercial" vessel a sailing vessel is required to give way to is one restructed in ability to maneauvre (by narrow channel or similar) or one engaged in fishing (like a trawler with nets out) or one that the sailing vessel is overtaking. Otherwise power gives way to sail (assuming Jessica was sailing not motoring of course).

With big bulk carriers and oil tankers of course it can be difficult for them to maneuvre quickly if they see a small vessel like Jessica's boat late. The perennial issue of keeping of adequate watch, on both the bulk carrier and by Jessica herself, will likely be a key point here.

Cheers,
Andrew

lol

Just heard several interviews on ABC. A number said what a brave girl - this will make her more determined etc..

Only one interviewee made a sensible comment in my opinion - 'what was she doing in a shipping lane - what advice has she been given?'

Well that is more a question but you get the drift.

Please stay home Jessica.

Yeah clever mate. Next time i'm out sailing i will run into an island, and then tell it that it was its fault because it is supposed to give way.

Honestly how manoeuvrable do you think these ships are? They arent exactly a jet ski...

i think, good on her for giving it a go, but if you cant get past the first day or two
without an incident with a ship what hope do you have...there are much busier areas that she would surely be going through than the east coast of australia...

Wannbe - I understand perfectly well - a point I made as well. The point you make is that as a matter of practicaility small boats like sailing yachts need to keep a good watch and keep out of the way of big vessels like this.

My point is that "legally" I don't think Jessica could be seen to be at fault because it was a "Commercial" vessel which was the suggestion I was responding to.

What will it take for her to realise that she should stay at home. not even 24 hours in..... what was she doing asleep in a shipping channel anyway???
and how could a massive coal carier avoid a 30ft yacht...

This is a pretty good read
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/epi ... ca-watson/