Jessica Watson: Difference between revisions
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Nevertheless, Watson has had her supporters. In particular, [[Don McIntyre]] strongly supported her attempt, providing her with a boat and speaking in support of her attempt.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite news | last = Taylor | first = John | date = 18 June 2009 | title = 'She can do it': Teen's sailing adventure | work = [[The 7.30 Report]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/18/2602410.htm | accessdate = 26 January 2010 }}</ref> Similarly, [[Tony Mowbray]], who, like McIntyre, has previously circumnavigated the globe, provided his support, arguing that she was "doing it for the right reasons" and that he was confident of her success.<ref name="Dinneen2009-10-03">{{cite news | last = Dinneen | first = Martin | date = 3 October 2009 | title = Support in a sea of critics | work = [[The Newcastle Herald]] | location = [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]] | page = 34 }}</ref> |
Nevertheless, Watson has had her supporters. In particular, [[Don McIntyre]] strongly supported her attempt, providing her with a boat and speaking in support of her attempt.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite news | last = Taylor | first = John | date = 18 June 2009 | title = 'She can do it': Teen's sailing adventure | work = [[The 7.30 Report]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/18/2602410.htm | accessdate = 26 January 2010 }}</ref> Similarly, [[Tony Mowbray]], who, like McIntyre, has previously circumnavigated the globe, provided his support, arguing that she was "doing it for the right reasons" and that he was confident of her success.<ref name="Dinneen2009-10-03">{{cite news | last = Dinneen | first = Martin | date = 3 October 2009 | title = Support in a sea of critics | work = [[The Newcastle Herald]] | location = [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]] | page = 34 }}</ref> |
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During the journey the support has increased, since she has performed better than the critics assumed she would. For example, [[Kevin Rudd]] said on 26 January that " |
During the journey the support has increased, since she has performed better than the critics assumed she would. For example, [[Kevin Rudd]] said in a public speech on 26 January that "Jessica Watson ... is an extraordinary young Australian"<ref>[http://www.pm.gov.au/node/6441 Prime Minister, Transcript of address, Flag Raising and Citizenship ceremony ]</ref> |
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== Journey == |
== Journey == |
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Revision as of 13:05, 26 January 2010
Jessica Watson (born 18 May 1993 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia) is an Australian sailor (age 31), resident in Buderim, Queensland. She is currently attempting to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.[1]
Her circumnavigation route will start and end at Sydney and will pass near New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin. In accordance with the definitions set out by the International Sailing Federation World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) for circumnavigations, the equator must be crossed;[2] this was done near Kiritimati.
The journey was announced on 1 May, 2009, and is expected to take eight months with an approximate distance of 23,000 nautical miles. Her expected arrival back in Sydney is in June 2010.
Australian Jesse Martin currently holds the WSSRC record for the youngest person to achieve this feat. The WSSRC have since discontinued their endorsement of the age records for youngest (and oldest) circumnavigators.[3]
Preparation
As training for her round-the-world voyage, Watson gained experience in ocean sailing by crewing on a number of vessels, including Oceanswatch's Magic Roundabout, on which she acted as skipper during a crossing of the Tasman Sea. The captain of the Magic Roundabout spoke highly of her skills, backing her circumnavigation attempt by describing her as a "damn-good crew member" and stating the he believed that she possessed the necessary abilities.[4]
Test run and collision
During a test run sailing from Brisbane to Sydney, on her first night after leaving Brisbane she collided with the Silver Yang, a 63,000-tonne freighter at about 02.00 am on 9 September, 2009 near Point Lookout.[5] Watson's sloop, the 10.4 metre Ella’s Pink Lady, was dismasted in the collision. She was able to retain control and return the boat to Southport under motor.[6]
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's preliminary report on the collision found that Watson had been sleeping during the event, and that while she had checked her radar prior to lying down, she had failed to spot the Silver Yang. This led to the accident four minutes later. The report also found that the Silver Yang had been aware of her presence and had attempted to change course, but that this had been insufficient to avoid Watson's boat. The Bureau has yet to apportion blame for the accident, and a full report is due to be released at a later date.[7]
Criticism
Her journey has been heavily criticised, particularly after the collision with the freighter. Barry Tyler of Pacific Motor Yacht magazine wrote, "like the majority of the seafaring world [I] consider it irresponsible, cavalier and indeed ignorant to attempt such a feat, at such a tender age and with so little trans-ocean experience."[8] Questions about her experience were also expressed by Phil Jones, the CEO of Yachting Australia, and by Grant Wharington, the skipper of Skandia, with Wharington stating that he had been impressed by Watson when they had met, but that he had advised her to gain experience by undertaking a number of shorter solo passages before attempting the circumnavigation, although she chosen not to follow his advice. In addition, Wharington noted that the report into her collision displayed evidence of what he referred to as "schoolboy errors".[9] A more general concern was raised by the Australian Childhood Foundation, who questioned whether a 16 year old would have the ability to fully understand the risks that such a venture would involve.[10]
Nevertheless, Watson has had her supporters. In particular, Don McIntyre strongly supported her attempt, providing her with a boat and speaking in support of her attempt.[11] Similarly, Tony Mowbray, who, like McIntyre, has previously circumnavigated the globe, provided his support, arguing that she was "doing it for the right reasons" and that he was confident of her success.[12]
During the journey the support has increased, since she has performed better than the critics assumed she would. For example, Kevin Rudd said in a public speech on 26 January that "Jessica Watson ... is an extraordinary young Australian"[13]
Journey
Watson sailed out of Sydney Harbour on 18 October, 2009 in her pink-hulled Ella Baché sponsored Ella's Pink Lady.[1] The boat is a 10.23-metre Sparkman & Stephens 34, the same design as used by Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin in their circumnavigations.[14]
She crossed the equator on 19 November 2009 (Australian date)[15], at about 161°40'W longitude, near Jarvis Island and rounded Kiritimati on 22 November 2009 (Australian date) after 36 days, and then continued south-easterly towards Cape Horn. The sailed distance from Sydney to Kiritimati is about 3,900 nm.
On 13 January 2010 (9:40 UTC) she passed Cape Horn, having sailed around 9,800 nm in 87 days. This is 1,100 nm ahead of the planned 100 nm per day schedule. The estimated time of passage at the Cape of Good Hope should be around 17 February.
On 23 January 2010, several days after passing the Falkland Islands, she suffered four knock-downs in a severe storm with 10-meter waves and 70-knot winds. During the storm, she passed the 11,000 nm mark of her journey.[16][17]
References
- ^ a b "Jessica Watson sails in search of record". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "The Courses Offshore". World Sailing Speed Record Council. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
To sail around the World, a vessel must start from and return to the same point, must cross all meridians of longitude and must cross the Equator.
- ^ WSSRC. "Other Kinds of Sailing Records". Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Veteran yachtie backs solo trip". The Cairns Post. Queensland, Australia. 15 October 2009. p. 9.
- ^ "Silver Yang". marinetraffic.com. Retrieved 2010-1-13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Johnson, Stephen (9 September 2009). "Jessica Watson yacht collision probe begins". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ Christine, Kellett (20 October 2009). "Watson asleep during crash: report". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ Tyler, Barry (November 2009). "Should She, or Shouldn't She?". Pacific Motor Yacht. p. 6.
- ^ Pierce, Jeremy (28 September 2009). "Jessica not ready, warn top yachties". The Courier Mail. Queensland, Australia. p. 9.
- ^ Pierce, Jeremy (11 September 2009). "Storm in a port". Hobart Mercury. Tasmania, Australia. p. 9.
- ^ Taylor, John (18 June 2009). "'She can do it': Teen's sailing adventure". The 7.30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ Dinneen, Martin (3 October 2009). "Support in a sea of critics". The Newcastle Herald. New South Wales, Australia. p. 34.
- ^ Prime Minister, Transcript of address, Flag Raising and Citizenship ceremony
- ^ "Ella's pink lady". jessicawatson.com.au. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
- ^ "Teen solo sailor Jessica Watson crosses equator}work=news.com.au". November 19, 2009.
- ^ "Watson battered by 10-metre waves". ABC News. Jan 25, 2010.
- ^ "Watson fights fierce waters". Herald Sun. January 25, 2010.