Photo of Jessica Watson, credit: Sheba_ Also
Jessica Watson, the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.
Jessica Watson was born to sail, spending most of her childhood learning the ropes alongside her siblings, living on a 16-metre cabin cruiser. Her family encouraged her to gain qualifications such as offshore safety, diesel engines, radio operation, sea safety, first aid and yacht master theory that would prepare her for the voyage she would take. Between the ages of 11 and 15, Jessica recorded 6000 coastal miles and 6000 ocean miles gaining experience which would help her on her big voyage.
The inspiration for her solo unassisted voyage around the world came from Jesse Martin’s adventures as a solo sailor. Jessica’s mother would often read from his book Lionheart, which she began to admire, motivated her to repeat Jesse’s achievements.
Photo of Ella’s Pink Lady, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
The Pink Lady a 10. 3-metre Sparkman and Stephens yacht equipped with an onboard self-steering wind vane system (which she called Parker after the Thunderbird’s Chauffeur). Later sponsored by Ella Bache altered the vessels name to Ella’s Pink Lady. before her great voyage could begin, Ella’s Pink Lady collided with a bulk carrier, whilst Jessica was asleep. This collision damaged the mast which was repaired before the voyage.
Photo of Ella’s Pink Lady returning to Sydney Harbour, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
Jessica Watson Left Sydney on the 15th of October 2009. The Pink Lady faced 10-metre waves, 70-knot winds and numerous knockdowns (where the mast hits the water), overcoming all the hurdles that were put in her way. Her solo circumnavigation of the globe, unassisted, took 210 days in its entirety. Jessica travelled 19,631 nautical miles not quite meeting the World Sailing Record benchmark of 21,600 nautical miles required to be a global circumnavigation. Never-the-less Jessica Watson was the youngest ever woman at 16 years old to cross the equator twice and complete the voyage unassisted.