Yachting FAIL - Jessica Watson

[s/v Moondancer]

We need to 'hold fire' until we have the full facts.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by twowheel

... I had no idea that there was such a level of pretentiousness or prejudice here.
... Keep in mind that regardless of age she has more expierence on the water than a few other circumnavigators I'm aware of...
... I like to operate under the belief that anyone is capable of doing anything as long as they put their mind to it. Just because she's younger that about 99.9% of us here doesn't make her any less capable...

Please tell that you don’t pretend to believe that teenagers are as mature, biologically & experientially, as “adults”.
The power of positive thinking is an attractive and comforting concept; but it won’t, for instance, overcome gravity.

[creakyboy]

Originally Posted by Tellie

The act alone of breaking this record is to adhere to a very strict schedule. A schedule to do it before she's too old and a schedule to get back in time before someone younger takes off.

Now, what are the experienced sailors opinions on the wisdom of tight schedules?

Good point,I'm not what I consider an 'experienced sailor' but to My mind if I want to become one then I sure need to have flxible schedules.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

How did it happen? Because her parents and the authorities are cretins.

And let those idiots that support these fools remember this incident.

Mark

Never made a mistake at sea yourself?

Hell as a parent I was more worried about my kids turning 17 and starting to drive, I was more worried about them getting in a car with someone who was half pissed, I was more worried about them having unprotected sex.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by MacG

But this accident is/was entirely the fault of the girl.

Excellent - that saved Maritime Safety Qld, the Queensland Police and the various commonwealth authorities a whole host of time and taxpayers money in undertaking an investigation. Thanks very much for your help.

Oh and I am not sure about your place of origin but it appears your society does not have the concepts of onus and standard of proof that we operate with, bloody inconvenient to expect the prosecution to prove matters beyond a reasonable doubt.

[s/v Moondancer]

More facts without judgement:

The pictures of the boat show a glancing blow to the starboard side #2 that took out the starboard uppers, the mast broke just above the lowers or intermediates and fell to port #5. The starboard toe rail is barely damaged #7

I have seen more damage to a boat at our sailing club that hit the poles of a marker; he lost his entire rig.

This is the luckiest 16-yr-old in the world.."a near miss is as good as a mile"

JESSICA WATSON YACHT CRASH | Stock Photography Photo Gallery Stock Image | Stock Photo AAP Image Australia

[cat man do]

Jessicawatson.com.au
I won’t play it down. It was a pretty scary and dangerous incident. The sound of Ella’s Pink Lady being scraped along the hull of a 63,000 tonne ship isn’t something that I’m likely to ever forget. But at the same time I’m proud of the way the whole team handled the situation. From my first call back to base everything was under control, and looking back it was amazing to see years of planning for such an emergency click into place.

Wouldn't the SIGHT of a 63000 tonne ship smacking into the side of your boat stick in your mind more?

Unless she was down below and didn't see it.

Yes, I am guessing.

[Artful Dodger]

I'm wondering here haven't heard much about the ship that was involved in this accident, there is always two sides to a story, why is it they never responded after they have been identified as the ship in question. If they didn't see Jessica how many others didn't they see which are maybe at the bottom of the sea. Seems there are always sailboats that just fall off the face of the earth might it be that they are just collateral damage to these big vessels, kind of makes one wonder. Even with the broadcast of her accident as soon as it did and the response of rescue, where was the ship it couldn't have been far away. Is there something to hide here.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by GordMay

.
The power of positive thinking is an attractive and comforting concept; but it won’t, for instance, overcome gravity.

Gord, you obviously haven't reached the 17th level yet...

[bill good]

I've requested traffic before approaching the main shipping channel approaching Moreton Bay traveling N-S at night with an time I expected to be commencing the crossing & was advised "no traffic" from the harbour control. I went down to make a cup of coffee & saw the lights of a bulk carrier out of the galley window. Had to change course to avoid the vessel. I called the ship to advise my attentions & I would to pass behind. I did get a response to this call but no other call prior. There seems to be a very big gap in the use of radio / Ais / Radar to provide safe separation for the non bulk & cargo carriers & not to expect any service from any Harbour control!!
It really puts the responsibility on us as operators of small crafts. The above was a reminder that you have to be always on watch.
Don't feel warm & fuzzy just because you are on the "right frequency" & made the right calls!!

Regards Bill

[Pblais]

I'm wondering here haven't heard much about the ship that was involved in this accident, there is always two sides to a story

The problem is we have no new real information but a lot of new specualtion. The topic is hotter than the real data will support. This in turn leads to the wide field of responses. Sooner or later we will cliose the thread. It's lasted longer than expected so far.

[scotte]

Originally Posted by twowheel

I am fairly new to this group of folks but I had no idea that there was such a level of pretentiousness or prejudice here.

Welcome, there most certainly is, unfortunately, but don't let that stop you.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by twowheel

I had no idea that there was such a level of pretentiousness or prejudice here.

And that is different from which other group of humans?

[Ocean Girl]

GROUP HUG

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by Artful Dodger

I'm wondering here haven't heard much about the ship that was involved in this accident, there is always two sides to a story, why is it they never responded after they have been identified as the ship in question. If they didn't see Jessica how many others didn't they see which are maybe at the bottom of the sea. Seems there are always sailboats that just fall off the face of the earth might it be that they are just collateral damage to these big vessels, kind of makes one wonder. Even with the broadcast of her accident as soon as it did and the response of rescue, where was the ship it couldn't have been far away. Is there something to hide here.

Collision ship's tracker turned off

• Font Size: Decrease Increase
• Print Page: Print

Daniel Crow | September 11, 2009

Article from: The Australian
THE China-registered ship that hit aspiring round-the-world teenage sailor Jessica Watson off the Queensland coast in the middle of the night has switched off the transponder that allows it to be tracked.

Collision ship's tracker turned off | The Australian