Jessica Watson urged to cancel round wrld attempt

[Larks]

Jessicas blog

http://youngestround.blogspot.com/

yes, see post #69

[TimH]

Sorry. Missed that one

[donald branscom]

Just a PR story. Totally planned.

Why don't the new stories tell us something useful. Like what kind of boat she is using.

[TimH]

Why don't the new stories tell us something useful. Like what kind of boat she is using.

Ella’s Pink Lady


The S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34, a classic design from the famous Sparkman & Stephens, it is known firstly for its seaworthiness, toughness and track record. It is a boat capable of consistent speeds and one that Jessica can easily handle.
The S&S 34 became famous after Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin used them for their history making solo circumnavigations.
There is now an S&S 34 association and hundreds of other S&S 34 have made and are making successful circumnavigations and offshore passages.
S&S 34’s are commonly entered in the notorious Sydney to Hobart and many participate in club racing all around Australia and the world.
SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall: 10.23m
Waterline Length: 7.37m
Beam: 3.08m
Draft: 1.83m

[donald branscom]

Now that is useful info. I like the skeg mounted rudder, but I do not like the short fin keel.

[Candyfloss]

Well, she crossed the line today. She is officially in foreign territory. The dreaded Northern Hemisphere. Fortunately she will not be there for long. Just whip round Kiribati Island & back to friendlier waters.
It seems she experienced some difficulty untangling the line from around her keel, but apart from that, no problems.

[delecta]

Tania Aebi went around the world in 1985 in a 26' footer, she was 18. No gps or solo sailing experience at all when she set sail. Took her two weeks just to get to Bermuda when she finally learned celestial navigation. As I recall she didn't get the record because she gave someone she met a lift from one island to another in the South Pacific.

She wrote a book which is a good read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tania_Aebi
http://www.48north.com/aug_2006/tania.htm

[Candyfloss]

She's now heading south.

[bucheron]

Now that is useful info. I like the skeg mounted rudder, but I do not like the short fin keel.

Sorry I have not responded a bit quicker to this post, Donald.

The fin keel on the S&S34 is moderate both in length and depth by today's standards I would say.

[bucheron]

Tania Aebi went around the world in 1985 ........ As I recall she didn't get the record because she gave someone she met a lift from one island to another in the South Pacific.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tania_Aebi
http://www.48north.com/aug_2006/tania.htm

You are right, her voyage is not recognized as a record, and yet nobody seems to care very much. Tanya seems to be as well-known as any young voyager and better known than most.

It was a good book, and she did not seem to be doing it so much for fame and acclaim, as for her own personal development.

I am uncertain how much fame and acclaim are Jessica's motives, but I am impressed with her achievement so far.

[bloggs68]

Another one??

Looks like it might be catching this adventuring stuff

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outp...o-journey.html

AD

[BarnacleGrim]

Could these girls end up stealing Reid Stowe's show? He's reaching 1000 days at sea in only 47 days now.

[RFNK]

Looks like it might be catching this adventuring stuff

Yep. 15 year old next, then the Dutch 13 year old can blow them all out of the water while some 12 year old gets his boat ready ..... Rick

[Candyfloss]

It is depressing. And Abby's boat, an Open 40, is totally unsuited to the job.

[donald branscom]

Tania Aebi went around the world in 1985 in a 26' footer, she was 18. No gps or solo sailing experience at all when she set sail. Took her two weeks just to get to Bermuda when she finally learned celestial navigation. As I recall she didn't get the record because she gave someone she met a lift from one island to another in the South Pacific.

She wrote a book which is a good read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tania_Aebi
http://www.48north.com/aug_2006/tania.htm

You should read the WHOLE story in her book. Thats all I have to say.

[PatrickXavier]

http://www.rogersandall.com/jessica-...the-cruel-sea/

[TimH]

This could crosslink to the whaling thread

[Candyfloss]

Anyway Jessica’s okay. There’s a lot of what is best in the Antipodal character about her — ‘let’s give it a go’ combined with a jaunty attitude and an optimistic will to succeed. We wish her well. Luckily the middle of the ocean has been serene so far and the Pacific well-behaved — almost a danger-free zone. Slocum once knew a ship’s master who took a benignly complacent view of the Pacific Ocean and claimed that its perils had been much exaggerated. Then a hurricane nearly blew his ship out of the water. After that, wrote Slocum, he was a changed man. Maybe that will happen to Jessica too. Maybe not. We shall see. ————-

Interesting view. I also worry about what will happen when something breaks. Nonetheless, it's fairly easy to avoid the hurricane season in the South Pacific. Jessica is well outside the area. In fact the nearest she got to it was when she was near Tonga, & they get a hurricane about once in 10 years.

[riverat]

I have just read a preliminary report on Jessica's accident, The ship had her on radar the whole time, the OOW took evasive action by changing course to stbd. but still she stood on.(because she was below) She had seen a trace on her radar but "assumed" it was a trawler. so she ran into the ships port side midship. After speaking to the ship she secured the remains of her mast etc. and proceeded to motor back to port. Later she and her father were taken to Sydney by AMS and conducted over large ships and shown the limitations they have in seeing small vessels at sea. And before anyone says "the ship should have blown its horn" when you have been given "full away" after pilot gone, and secure for u.m.s running on HFO , the air is shut down and engineers go on to 24 hr. rosters-there is no one down there either and it can take up to an hour to change over from HFO to light before you can manoeuver the engines.

[Steve Paskey]

An excerpt from the latest news:

Jessica has been in daily contact with all her shore team including Project Manager Bruce Arms, whom she has been cross checking lists with.

“Jess has prepared well and has been kept busy sealing small leaks and finding little jobs that are all very important as she heads into the tougher conditions down south. We went over the checklists that we had created especially for this part of the journey and I can’t fault her attention to detail,” said Bruce.

Perhaps I'm just a curmudgeon, but to my mind all this takes a great deal away from the idea of a "solo" circumnavigation. Sure, she still has to sail the boat herself. But in contrast to Slocum and thousands who made the trip after him, as long as the radio's working she will NEVER be forced to rely on her own wits, judgment, and experience. Instead, she has the "project manager" to tell her what she should do.

[BarnacleGrim]

I'd have a really hard time resisting the temptation to stop and visit all those interesting places on the way. She's not too far from Pitcairn now.

[riveter]

Quote from Steve Paskey-Perhaps I'm just a curmudgeon, but to my mind all this takes a great deal away from the idea of a "solo" circumnavigation. Sure, she still has to sail the boat herself. But in contrast to Slocum and thousands who made the trip after him, as long as the radio's working she will NEVER be forced to rely on her own wits, judgment, and experience. Instead, she has the "project manager" to tell her what she should do.[/QUOTE]

Steve....Slocum went to shore all along his way..what 3 years...so yes solo..but with many contacts all along the way...and a few tacks for the deck? Jessica will rely on her own wits...and does daily, using the tools of our age, ...like the thousands before her. The first astronaut to land on the moon...BIG GUY, ummm ...yep he had a "project manager "...but had control of the joy stick. Give this kid abreak...she is doing an amazing journey...

[Candyfloss]

"Using the tools of our age. Like the thousands before her."

I like that.

The fact of the matter is, she is alone in the middle of the Pacific ocean. I wish I was so brave.

And before you start. Brave or foolish? Has there ever been a quantifiable difference?

[RFNK]

I wish I was so brave.

Me too! I'm full of admiration for her skill and courage, no question about that. It's this dubious `youngest round' goal that is so foolish and dangerous. If she was just some kid doing this then I think we'd all say `wow, good on you and good luck' but when you see massive sponsorship, media hype and marketing capitalising on this `youngest round' record attempt, and you think deeply about the potential consequences to, not only, Jessica, but to others who may follow, then the whole thing becomes very distasteful. It's a really dangerous environment and endeavour. It is not something we should be encouraging children to do. This is not a few broken limbs and teeth being risked here - this is a very real risk of a lonely death, regardless of the boatful of gadgetry.

It's illegal for a kid of 16 to ride a motorbike around to the shops in Australia but it's okay to send one off into the most dangerous seas in the world all on her own. Time to get real. Rick

[Candyfloss]

Let's just focus on one issue at a time here. Either it is right or it is not. If her folks were rich enough to to provide her with this level of support without resort to sponsorship and all the media hype that that entails would it then be OK to send her out regardless of her age and experience?

I'm asking myself this same question. My own greatest fear for her safety is whether she is physically strong enough to fix what must inevitably go wrong. If the rig falls down can she get it back on board, or cut it loose, before it holes the hull & sinks the boat? Would I be? I'm only a little guy. I weigh 60 kilos on a good day. My mate lost his rig off Cape Palliser (Wellington) in a bit of a blow. He told me he seriously doubted his ability to save his life & get rid of the thing before he sank. And he was much bigger and stronger than me. And his boat was only an 8.8. Jessica's is a 34ftr.
He said he lost his pliers overboard in the first few moments so he had to unwire & unscrew all 8 turnbuckles & cut all the halliards & the mainsheet loose because he wasn't strong enough to drag the rig back on board under those conditions. Is anyone? And hey, that was within sight of land. Well, it would have been if it wasn't dark.

What I'm saying is where do we draw the line? Pass a fitness test? I'd fail. Have to be how old? I'm probably too old. And not be allowed to do what? Climb Mount Everest? Cross the Sahara on a motorbike? Oh, that's right, that's illegal. On a camel, then. All records only encourage people to do something even more risky. I don't see how we can legislate against it.

[TimH]

I guess an important point that we dont know is how much of the drive to do this is her own and how much is impressed upon her by others.

[riveter]

I guess an important point that we dont know is how much of the drive to do this is her own and how much is impressed upon her by others.

Tim, yes I agree..we don't know how much is her own drive....but if we look at the facts,... she is doing it! , at her young age, with all the negative suggestions and comments from some people o this thread. (and elsewhere) What we can derive is... she is doing it...she may "look" like a weakling...but I have seen many a man fail in his mental strength from the stress of public criticism..... This kid just keeps on going....just doing what she wants to do...of course her parents support her...that is what they should be doing anyway. I'm happy for her...I'm proud of the millions who support her...its a dream for her, and she is brave enough to be out there, with her stuffies and all.

Riveter
Ya never know where your too, til ya been where yur at

[RFNK]

I don't see how we can legislate against it.

I'm not sure that I'd want to see legislation against it. In my view there are already way too many regulations in places like Australia. Nevertheless, I think the pursuit of `youngest' records is irresponsible, I think parents who think children should be able to do whatever they want to do are irresponsible and I think parents who encourage children to undertake activities as dangerous as solo circumnavigation are irresponsible.

I think it's worth asking this question - if the `youngest' goal wasn't out there, would Jessica still want to do this? Would her parents be advising her to go alone, or with others? Would there be any sponsorship? Rick

[elad]

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/jess...uers-cape-horn

[dskira]

She was very lucky to not be on the bottom of the ocean after been hit by a tanker. They don't get it the parents. If they absolutly want their daughter to die, they should tell her to play on the highway.
These parents belongs to prison, and the kid to foster care.
Some parents are more than moroon, they are dangerous. These one are even more dangerous than parents of teenager gang member, because they are encouraged by the media.
Shame on them. I hope they have to pay every penny of anny rescue, that will teach them a lesson, since commun sense and love of the kid is complitly laking on these people.
Without the media, they will be just a couple of insane under the influence moroon. But with the media they are what make the youth and the parent proud of themself.
Money is the worst enemy.
Daniel

[TimH]

She seems to be doing pretty well. I only hope the best for her.

I wish I had had the opportunity when I was 16.

Comparing her to a gangster is ludicrous or her parents to the parents of a gangster. This is more like the polar opposite. The world needs more parents that take this much interest in and have this much faith in their kids.

[BarnacleGrim]

These parents belongs to prison, and the kid to foster care.

The kid is much safer rounding Cape Horn than being in foster care.

[Bob Triggs]

I have to admire this young woman. True Grit!

[py]

I think she's rounding Cape Horn as we pontificate. More power to her.
Go Jess.
Phil

[Ian McColgin]

py is right. Her site says she's around.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Which is more than most of the armchair sailors here can boast of.. Including this armchair sailor!

[floatingkiwi]

The conflicting thoughts on the matter are interesting. I would have thought everyone here, being sailors, would be behind anyone on a solo effort, just as they would like everyone behind them if it was their hairy little ass dotting around that vast wobbly expanse.
I am sure her parents love her and having plenty of money, would have an almost failsafe plan for her in the event of her being in a position beyond her capabilities.
I am thinking she is being monitored in a numberof technologically advanced ways down to the use of the head and when the word is given, its ditch bag, one of two liferafts, and rescue machinery on site before she gets cold. Good on ya gal. Wish I was with ya.

[floatingkiwi]

Diego Ramirez Islands in the background, taken by Jessica earlier today, approx 60nm before reaching Cape Horn. This is significant in that it was the first land Jessica has seen since departing Sydney on 18 October.

[modelsailboat.com]

Good for Jessica! If she has the spirit to go back out and keep on trying like she is doing, she will probably be able to make it fine. Kids get hurt falling off horses too, but nobody says girls shouldn't ever ride horses. In the seventies I single handed a 24 foot boat that I built, all down the East Coast, through the Bahamas and down to Haiti - not quite like the Southern Ocean, but there were probably more ships to avoid where I was. It is tough, and you do get really tired and you do take chances and you make mistakes, but it was a great experience!

[Sayla]

With the satellite electronics, weather watches and eperbs and so forth that are at hand these days, And, with such interested onlookers such as Richard Branson, I would think that Jessica's risk factor (despite her younger age) is really much less of an issue than that of the circumnavigators of the previous century.

Heck of an adventure for her to be doing (wish I were looking around the Horn myself) - is there really any better thing that she could be doing?

[Larks]

I was one that questioned the judgement of the parents in egging her on to go AFTER se had collided with the tanker, which made me question her judgement, maturity and capability.

But after seeing how she managed to "survive" the media storm and all of the negativity towards her trip during that period, I could not help but admire this young lady and wish her nothing but success!!!

There is no doubt that sailing solo around the world has changed significantly since Sir Robin Knox Johnson's first circumnavigation, she is able to talk to her mother on the sat' phone a couple of times a day and her support team is in ready contact for repair advice and encouragement, so the psychological stress is not so extreme as it may once have been.

But the inflexibility and unpredictability of the Southern ocean does not change, (global warming or not), so it still takes one very brave young lady to attempt what she is doing!!!

Bravo again young lady and safe home!

[Steve Paskey]

Okay, so I've been a curmudgeon about the modern communications. It's still a great thing that she's doing ... and fantastic to see that she's humming along so well thus far. Cheers to her, and fair winds.

[TimH]

23-Jan-2010

Jessica Watson has faced her toughest test to date on her solo circumnavigation, having experienced a violent storm overnight with hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 70 knots and a swell of 7-10 metres, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Jessica also experienced her first knockdown and then had to endure three more during the eight hour storm. A ‘knockdown’ is when the mast goes below horizontal and into the sea. In Jessica's case, she was hit by a series of rogue waves.
During the storm, Jessica sailed past the 11,000 nautical mile mark. She was belted in to her wet-seat throughout.
Despite the horrific conditions and some minor damage, the good news is that both Jessica and Ella’s Pink Lady have fared well.
"We certainly copped a pounding out here, but we came through it all OK. It’s time like this when you realise why good preparation of the boat is so important. She handled it well," said Jessica.
The winds have now abated and the dolphins have returned. She is sailing along in more pleasant conditions with a 10 knot breeze and a 3 metre swell. Jessica is now cleaning up all the mess topside and is about to catch up on some sleep.

[The Bigfella]

Go Jessica.

[PeterSibley]

[ishmael]

How old is she? Fourteen? What a grand adventure at that age.

At one point I think a Yank, a young fella held the title of being the youngest to circumnavigate solo in a small sailboat, a Hawian named Robin Lee Grahm. I think he was sixteen when he started. His books are worth a read, BTW.

It takes a fair amount of fortitude, both physical and emotional. Just the physical parts of managing a small boat in a storm take strength.

May the force be with her.

P.S. As to rigs, I've been revisiting Hasler's junk rig on Jester. While not as weatherly as a masthead sloop, it seems to have many good qualities re ease of use. Opinions?

[Thad]

Good girl! Good person!

[paladin]

Robin is building houses in Montana...and still doing the talk circuits periodically.

[purri]

In the quest for even younger participants and parental stupidities I'm reminded of a scene from "Blackadder" that goes something like this:

"So you are Pitt the Younger, or next perhap will it be Pitt the Very Young, or perhaps even Pitt the Gleam in His Father's Eye".

[riveter]

Peters Quote

__________________
"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead
....and I say

...Ya never know where your too....
till ya been where your at!
An old Newfoundlander Salt


Way to go Jessica live your dream...
I have always been 100% behind your aspirations and never sat on the fence. If Slocam had a satellite phone...bloody sure he'd of used it more than once a day in a gale. So he touched down on "land" a number of times instead.