16 year old Jessica Watson, from Australia, has set out to be the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe.   Will she succeed?   I think she will.

I wonder what happened to parents sense of responsibility nowadays.

i would hope so, because there are a lot of bad things out there.

She needs positive vibes people, don't think the worst, think the best and she'll make it.   What an adventure.    ^_^

Yeah, I think she'll make it. If that 17 year old guy could, why couldn't she? An age difference of one year is minimal, so I don't think she'd be too young and inexperienced. That said, she failed miserably on her first attempt so I'd like to see an asterisk behind her name. I'd like to see Laura Dekker (13) try.

Her parents are freaking stupid and she's an obstinate little wench whose first attempt was nothing short of an epic fail. She ran into a 63,000 ton coal carrier for goodness sake and was only 1 day into her journey.

Yeah.. best of luck to her she'll need it.

Originally posted by Bigdavo

Her parents are freaking stupid and she's an obstinate little wench whose first attempt was nothing short of an epic fail. She ran into a 63,000 ton coal carrier for goodness sake and was only 1 day into her journey.

Yeah.. best of luck to her she'll need it.

wench lol...sorry that made me lol...a freaking coal carrier? was she asleep? lol...

Originally posted by Teala

She needs positive vibes people, don't think the worst, think the best and she'll make it.   What an adventure.    ^_^

What she needs is a bunch of responsible parents. It's unbelievable a child is exposed to such dangers just for the sake of having her name in a book that nobody will care about anymore once the next irresponsible parent lets its child make a trip like that.

Originally posted by Scalebane

Originally posted by Bigdavo

Her parents are freaking stupid and she's an obstinate little wench whose first attempt was nothing short of an epic fail. She ran into a 63,000 ton coal carrier for goodness sake and was only 1 day into her journey.

Yeah.. best of luck to her she'll need it.

 

wench lol...sorry that made me lol...a freaking coal carrier? was she asleep? lol...

She was below deck.

Guess she shoulda left the other person she had with her watch the helm, eh?

G'luck to her.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Teala

She needs positive vibes people, don't think the worst, think the best and she'll make it.   What an adventure.    ^_^

 

What she needs is a bunch of responsible parents. It's unbelievable a child is exposed to such dangers just for the sake of having her name in a book that nobody will care about anymore once the next irresponsible parent lets its child make a trip like that.

She's an Aussie and they’re historically crazy. She's probably safer in the boat. Besides, isn't the parent’s responsibilities too raise a strong child? If she survives I would say that would be mission accomplished.

I do think the kid is either very brave or very stupid. Good luck to her!

Originally posted by qazyman

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Teala

She needs positive vibes people, don't think the worst, think the best and she'll make it.   What an adventure.    ^_^

 

What she needs is a bunch of responsible parents. It's unbelievable a child is exposed to such dangers just for the sake of having her name in a book that nobody will care about anymore once the next irresponsible parent lets its child make a trip like that.

She's an Aussie and they’re historically crazy. She's probably safer in the boat. Besides, isn't the parent’s responsibilities too raise a strong child? If she survives I would say that would be mission accomplished.

I do think the kid is either very brave or very stupid. Good luck to her!

I seriously doubt a 16 year old girl is safer in a boat all by herself in the middle of the ocean.
Sure it's the parents responsibility to raise a strong child, but sending her all by herself on a trip around the world at the age of 16 is not the way to do it.

She will be captured by somalian pirates.

Good luck.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by qazyman

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Teala

She needs positive vibes people, don't think the worst, think the best and she'll make it.   What an adventure.    ^_^

 

What she needs is a bunch of responsible parents. It's unbelievable a child is exposed to such dangers just for the sake of having her name in a book that nobody will care about anymore once the next irresponsible parent lets its child make a trip like that.

She's an Aussie and they’re historically crazy. She's probably safer in the boat. Besides, isn't the parent’s responsibilities too raise a strong child? If she survives I would say that would be mission accomplished.

I do think the kid is either very brave or very stupid. Good luck to her!

I seriously doubt a 16 year old girl is safer in a boat all by herself in the middle of the ocean.
Sure it's the parents responsibility to raise a strong child, but sending her all by herself on a trip around the world at the age of 16 is not the way to do it.

I agree it's not the safest or most responsible way, but not everyone plays it safe and not everyone is the same. Definately a major risk, but they're are people that thrive on that.
 

With all due respect to her courage, I think this is a foolhardy undertaking.  I doubt she really knows what she's getting into.  Granted she'll be monitered at all times and I don't think her life is going to be in jeopardy, but sailing around the world would be a major effort for a full team of experienced sailors.

I don't think she has any chance, but if I am wrong I will be the first to congratulate her.

Good Grief!  I think I accidentally logged into Getoffmylawn.com or something!  

arrrr!

I think I'd be more interested if she were 18 and trying to make the entire voyage naked.

This story reminds me of that little boy maybe 15 or 20 years ago or so who wanted to be the youngest pilot and ended killing his instructor and I think it was his Father also  maybe, who were riding along (they couldnt react quick enough to save the plane).His mother stated at least he died doing something he loved.Huh?! who would say that about their child at that young of an age?

 Misquoted ...it was a 7 year old girl in 96' ,been awhile and forgot ,had to look it up .



http://tech.mit.edu/V116/N18/pilot.18w.html

id hit that

Originally posted by qazyman

She's an Aussie and they’re historically crazy. She's probably safer in the boat. Besides, isn't the parent’s responsibilities too raise a strong child? If she survives I would say that would be mission accomplished.

I do think the kid is either very brave or very stupid. Good luck to her!

She's both,  brave and stupid.

And isn't 16 in australia considered an adult anyways?

Lots of people have circumnavigated under sail.

Personally I think there are some dreams and goals that are worth great risk.

If the girl is psychologically strong enough to make long solo ocean passages then she is adult enough to make the decision to undertake a trip like this.  I would absolutely support my own child in a similar endeavor.

Actually if there were more peope her age around with that kind of vision I'd feel alot better about the future of mankind than I do now.

SWEET CHRIST I just found a picture of her boat and I take everything back.  I can't believe that any competent sailor would be caught dead in this:

That atrocity is going to piss off king neptune bigtime.

Compare that to Jesse Martin's Boat:

After looking at some of the interviews with her, I'm convinced she is far too inexperienced and immature to do this.  That "barbie boat" is absolutely inappropriate for the seriousness that she will be facing.  Sparkman & Stephens is a great builder but that paintjob and those sails scream publicity stunt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovhi4Di_GGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3tKql2ePyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf7FddPO5QM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvkWjQYzuCM

Her route is taking her through some of the most dangerous water on the planet including the Drake Passage and the Agulhas Current

"The Tiller is a bit of fun to get used to..."  WAY out of her depth.

Well if its truely a solo journey (meaning no shadowing by tender ships or support vessels) she may not fare too well.

 Other than having drive ,can she stay calm in hazardous conditions like storms and make sound ,wise decisions?

 Is she physically strong enough to be able to manipulate sails and adjustments if the unforseen happens(sometimes it takes raw strength along with skill )?

 Can she handle that many days of isolation frrom human contact and remain level headed?

 Does she know enough about the Ocean's different regions that she will be travelling.Even seasoned captains with 20 + years of exp. under their belts make mistakes sometimes and cause the peril of themselves ,their crews as well as the goods they are carrying? 

 I kinda sense an Amelia Earhart situation arise here ,although with all the digital tracking with satellites these days I am sure they can find her if they need to unlike back in the 30's.
 

 edit.. forgot to add I have had the misfortuane of being in 2 storms that poped up on a dive boats I was on.One time was in The carribean when 15 foot seas came up (we were on a 100 foot liveaboard and we managed to find an atoll to pull in it was still very rough till then

 Worse time was on a dive boat off NC coast and a severe storm came up  as we were head inland after a day of diving the boat was a 47 foot converted fish trawler and waves were rising up high enough it felt as the the boat was airborne before it slammed back down,We tied everthing we could own and everyone brought their valuable items as well as themselves into the cabin .like 12 guys all packed in this small boat cabin .

 You could hear a pin drop even with the waves crashing ,no one said a word due to thinking this might be it for any of us(looking back it was funny because even the couple guys that think they are so badass ,everyone knows the type cocky, I can do this and that;had their heads down not saying a peep .hehe.We got in safely ,some people lost some of their gear,luckily non of my stuff was missing but it definitely makes an impression.

Originally posted by Enkindu

Lots of people have circumnavigated under sail.

Personally I think there are some dreams and goals that are worth great risk.

If the girl is psychologically strong enough to make long solo ocean passages then she is adult enough to make the decision to undertake a trip like this.  I would absolutely support my own child in a similar endeavor.

Actually if there were more peope her age around with that kind of vision I'd feel alot better about the future of mankind than I do now.

SWEET CHRIST I just found a picture of her boat and I take everything back.  I can't believe that any competent sailor would be caught dead in this:

That atrocity is going to piss off king neptune bigtime.

LOL Enkindu .Just saw that .Paris Hilton wasnt one of her sponsers was she !

 Easy to spot for the pirates I guess.

 

Originally posted by Scubie67

Well if its truely a solo journey (meaning no shadowing by tender ships or support vessels) she may not fare too well.

 Other than having drive ,can she stay calm in hazardous conditions like storms and make sound ,wise decisions?

 Is she physically strong enough to be able to manipulate sails and adjustments if the unforseen happens(sometimes it takes raw strength along with skill )?

 Can she handle that many days of isolation frrom human contact and remain level headed?

 Does she know enough about the Ocean's different regions that she will be travelling.Even seasoned captains with 20 + years of exp. under their belts make mistakes sometimes and cause the peril of themselves ,their crews as well as the goods they are carrying? 

 I kinda sense an Amelia Earhart situation arise here ,although with all the digital tracking with satellites these days I am sure they can find her if they need to unlike back in the 30's.
 

 

She's no Amelia Earhart of the seas.  
 

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26128605-3102,00.html