Jessica Watson sets sail again – to cheers and jeers

September 30, 2009 · Filed Under Current, Lore of the Sea 

jessicapinkAfter sailing into a bulk carrier earlier this month on her first day at sea after apparently dozing off, sixteen year old Jessica Watson has set sail once again on her attempt to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded.   While she has received the support of leading Australian sailors and sports champions, she is also sailing into a storm of criticism.    A recent investigation by Maritime Safety Queensland of the collision earlier this month was highly critical of her lack of preparation, planning and sailing skills.

Jessica Watson’s safety checklist reveals she’s out of depth

The Sunday Mail yesterday obtained a copy of a letter sent from Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads to the Federal Government last week detailing the MSQ investigation into the incident, which occurred less than 24 hours into her journey.

It reveals that Jessica sailed dangerously close to another ship off Point Lookout, Stradbroke Island, just before her collision with the 63,000-tonne coal carrier Silver Yang on September 9.

“Ms Watson had passed within seven cables (about half a nautical mile) of another northbound ship about half an hour before the collision, which in the view of Maritime Safety Queensland amounted to a less-than-safe passing distance if the master of the vessel (Ms Watson) was not awake and on deck,” said Transport and Main Roads Director-General David Stewart.

MSQ concluded that Jessica:

• probably dozed off before her vessel hit and was dragged alongside the Silver Yang;

• did not turn on a warning device that would have alerted her of a potential collision;

• had not developed a fatigue management plan;

• could not produce a clear, plotted plan for her journey.

Her checklist made disturbing reading for the accident investigators, specifically the line: “Check rig once a week. Look up with binoculars”.

There were more childish doodles scribbled on the page than survival tips. Mr Stewart said MSQ officials wrote to and met Jessica’s parents, Roger and Julie, to express concerns about her setting off alone around the world.

“The letter indicated MSQ’s belief that the related issues of fatigue and maintenance of an effective lookout throughout the proposed voyage, had not been meaningfully addressed, and that failure to do so could be catastrophic,” he said.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said yesterday he had “grave concerns” about the voyage.

“Clearly, this is a significant concern, though it occurred outside Queensland waters and MSQ do not have the power to stop Jessica and her international journey taking place,” he said.

“This is a very serious matter and I appeal to Jessica and her parents to have a very good think about whether she is ready to do this.

“She needs to be ready. I don’t believe, on the evidence I have read, that she is.”

See also: Jessica Watson warned after collision: Do not sail
Australia’s top skippers question teenager Jessica Waton’s ability
Jessica Watson fights rising tide of disapproval 

Related post:  An Inauspicious Start to a Teenagers’s Circumnavigation Attempt

 

  

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Comments

7 Responses to “Jessica Watson sets sail again – to cheers and jeers”

  1. CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) on September 30th, 2009 7:52 am

    So it seems irresponsible parenthood continues. Would that Ms. Watsonhad at least sent for a copy of my -GUIDE TO PASSAGE PLANNING-. Lack of preparation was part of the criticism by the Queensland Maritime Safety Authority, yet they still allow her to sail. They must now bear a strong responsibilty in the event of any incident that may occur, particularly a negative incident. Clearly there is considerable concern at Queensland Government levels however no one seems to have had the courage to act and refuse her a ‘Departure Clearance’. The obsession with ’sports’ continues to muddle OZ brains.
    Good Watch (she’s going to need it)

  2. Rick on September 30th, 2009 8:12 am

    Even if she had your GUIDE TO PASSAGE PLANNING, I wonder if she would have read it. Apparently her one page of survival notes was partially covered by doodles.

    This is turning out to be a train wreck with a pink hull.

  3. CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) on September 30th, 2009 10:09 am

    Indeed. Backed by a cosmetics company we now have pink boats in addition to pink Cadillac’s.
    At present a call at Sydney NSW is planned and I understand the Inquiry will continue there. The Australian Federal Marine Authority is looking into the affair. It would seem that Queensland Government is passing the buck to the Federal Government. Her mother’s aguments make little or no sense as woman have been going to sea for decades as both Ratings and Officers including one of my daughters and a niece as Master. I had an English female Navigation Officer in a Cruise ship. Perhaps they are that far behind in the land of OZ. Disaster clearly looms. Once again,
    Good Watch.

  4. sarah toa on October 2nd, 2009 8:40 am

    You sound like a bunch of grumpy Old Salts. Aren’t rescues considered good training? If she goes down, then she won’t be the first, in about six thousand years, to do it. It sounds like Jessica is upsetting people for transgressing more than not asking for your GUIDE TO PASSAGE PLANNING.
    I don’t get what all the fuss is about.
    (I actually meant to drop in and say Hi, Old Salt. I write about an Old Salt).

  5. Rick on October 2nd, 2009 9:48 am

    Well hello Sarah. Welcome.

    I might have more confidence in Jessica if she hadn’t fallen asleep, narrowly missed colliding with one ship, and then sailed into a 63,000 ton bulk carrier on her first day out. She sure sounds like a threat to herself and to others.

  6. Maritime Monday 182 on October 5th, 2009 10:47 am

    [...] Old Salt Blog has “Jessica Watson sets sail again – to cheers and jeers“. (Update: YACHTe has “Jessica Watson arrives unscathed in [...]

  7. Teenagers Racing Around the Globe – First Zac, then Mike, Jessica and now Abby : Old Salt Blog – a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea on January 28th, 2010 11:30 am

    [...] made at least one stop along the way around the globe. Then after a somewhat inauspicious start, sixteen year old Jessica Watson of Queensland, Australia set off in September to attempt a non-stop circumnavigation which would [...]

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