16-year-old Jessica Watson is the youngest sailor who voyaged around the globe without any assistance.
Jessica Watson’s journey on her pink boat lasted 210 days, during this time she traveled 23000 nautical miles. She left Sydney on Oct. 18, 2009, crossed the Pacific Ocean, then the equator, she rounded the Cape Horn (the most southerly point of South America), swam across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa and then swam across the Indian Ocean and along the southern coast of Australia. Earlier, the youngest participant of around the world was considered a 17-year-old Briton Mike Perham. Meanwhile, the record in a single nonstop solo circumnavigation belonged to Australian Jesse Martin, who made the voyage at the age of 18 in 1999. The Watson’s voyage, however, will not be recognized officially as a record in any case in order to discourage ambitious parents pushing younger children off to sea.
• Don't insult other visitors. Offensive comments will be deleted without warning.
• Comments are accepted in English only.
• No swearing words in comments, otherwise such comments will be censored.
• Your nickname and avatar are randomly selected. If you don't post comments for 7 days, they both are reset.
• To choose another avatar, click the ‘Random avatar’ link.
bonus points for almost looking like she could be emma watson's sister.
letting your 16yr old boat across the country alone? SMART.
Maybe if all 16 year olds had parents capable of buying fucking sailboats for them they would not only be playing video game systems and/or blabbing to strangers on their digital devices.
I think Jessica rocks! Independent.
"Maybe if all 16 year olds had parents capable of buying fucking sailboats for them they would not only be playing video game systems and/or blabbing to strangers on their digital devices."
yes; good idea. instead of achieving something through hard work and honest effort, whine until your parents buy you your game systems, digital devices, and yes, even sail boats.
and now here's a reality check for you: (sources collected through WP)
"As training for her voyage, Watson crewed on a number of vessels, including Oceanswatch's Magic Roundabout on which she acted as skipper during a crossing of the Tasman Sea. Watson had over 10,000 nm of ocean sailing experience before departing on her round the world trip.
Watson has the following qualifications:
* RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety course (ISAF SR 6.01) Cat zero (one day 8 hour course)
* RYA Diesel Engine course (one day 8 hour course)
* RYA Radar course (one day 8 hour course)
* YAs Safety and Sea Survival certificate (two day 16 hour course)
* OMTC issued Certificates of Competence for Apply First Aid HTLF301B
* IMO compliant Elementary First Aid Table A VI/1-3 STCW95 (one day 8 hour course)
* Yachtmaster Ocean theory certificates (40 hour course)
* Radio operator’s licence
* About 6,000 coastal and 6,000 ocean miles experience."
------(end quote)-------
so there's someone who sat on their buttocks and waited for mummy and daddy to buy them an expensive toy... not.
actually, jessica watson earned the boat precisely because of her hard work and vision, through a sponsorship deal with the french skincare company "ella baché."
anyway, good luck again with whining to your parents for the latest toys. god forbid you go out and earn something by your own efforts, like jessica.
However I only thought she was financially backed up by her parents in which case I was wrong by the looks of things.
I made that comment due to the fact that so many kids these days get a plethora of worldly possessions and privileges that most of us never get to see. I don't look at that as a good thing for they usually end up being unbearable spoiled brats. I believe that one must earn the right to such things trough effort and hard work.
I don't receive charities from my parents except from necessities such as food and a roof over my head. I have had to work for the things I own and the things I have done. I may have shot myself in the foot by that comment but there is no need for you to attack me for you know nothing about me.
although from your initial response to me, frankly there wasn't much to go on other than the f-word, the presumption that miss watson was a rich brat, and no recognition at all for how remarkable her story was.
and these things riled me, given how rare of a person i judge this girl to be in today's world. but perhaps i overreacted.
peace,
gigantes
Her parents did a good job raising her, I think. Jessica Watson can be a true inspiration to the youth of today.
Oh and gigantes, I love your comments. ^_^
boaoaoat :pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
I'd ride that tight ass like a magic carpet ;)))