Official Jessica Watson Blog

wish I was you!

Hi Jessica - and very best wishes from a landlubber in New Zealand.
You are a true hero, and have achieved so much already.
Keep going, keep smiling, and the second half will be even more rewarding.

Go Jesse!

Davecmet/BOI/NZ

hello again Jessica.
read your last blog. Love the way your mind is working. you sound bight and alert.
Keep it up Jessica you are a golden light in the ANZAc spirit.
happy sailing.

Glad to hear the storm was not so severe. We've been following your progress since early November and we are rooting for you! I lived aboard a Hunter 42 for 8 years summer and winter in Long Island. My heater, a heat exchanger, generally failed when the water temp dropped below 5 celsius.

Anyhow, best of everything.

Greetings Jesse!
My sister, Jenny and I are faithfully following you and EPL on your solo journey! As we read your blog, you are the picture of the expression: "follow your bliss!" You are simply an inspiration to everyone who's ever had a dream! We enjoy your updates, your pics, and your videos! We had not planned to post a comment, but were inspired by your "blog family" that's become such a caring community! So, as you're challenged in the coming days as you near Cape Horn and perhaps your toughest sailing conditions, we're thinking of you, praying for you and sending you supportive thoughts! Like all your followers, we have EVERY faith in you, your skills, abilities and EPL! You WILL succeed!
God Bless You,
Marcella and Jenny in Massachusetts, USA

Hey Jess- you are doing great ! I love reading your entries - Stay Safe!

Jessica, you talk about the height of the seas/waves...how do you "KNOW" how high they are? Is there an instrument that measures them? And what's "end-for-ended the headsail sheets?" I am guessing it means you took the ropes out of the sail etc. and then put them back the opposite way so they would rub in totally different places??? I love it when you teach us technical stuff!!!
Marge

Hi there, MCGRATH family.

ooh ahh its McGraths. (Cricket chant, you have to know Glen McGrath) Anyway, Hey I have been speaking to family, Jonathon@Tooradin, he's the pilot you know, anyway, you need to look at his blue link, go to his email and he may be able to provide or sync wonderful assistance with the blogger flag. Have your ears been burning, cause we have been talking about ya...all good though. Cheers.

Assistance for Blog Family.

Hold Ctrl and the letter 'F' same time, and you will be given a search thingy. (When on the blog site). Then you can type, "interview with god neptune" and it will take you there, if it is within the current blog/page. too easy. You will find anything you like. Cheers.

I can't believe that you're out there all by yourself! Hopefully you have smooth sailing.

Ms. Jessica
Me again Luv - I am sorry that your Christmas present did not arrive from me - As I said I will tell you in the New Year - I asked for a US Coast Guard southern unit (ice breaker ship) to air drop you some fresh fruit, but I do not know why they did not, we will try again later. Again I am sorry for missing the requested Christmas present of fruit
Robert - San Diego, Ca

Our best wishes for you and your ship on the next days, Skipper! It is not a piece of cake but has been done before, so we're sure we'll hear from you, safe and sound and successful, as long as you've cleared the storm. No use to worry about what has to be faced; and after all having guts is not about not feeling afraid, but going ahead and doing what you have to, even when you feel like panicking... Many of us know it out of experience, and others will find it out along their lifetimes. We salute you and send you our prayers of well-being, as you fulfill yet another phase of your extraordinary endeavour (and it would be so even if you were 40-years-old and six-feet tall...). All hands on their posts, Madam! You may proceed when you wish.

Ms. Jessica
Luv - I am glad to see your million dollar (pounds -it just does not sound the same) smile again, with a clear sky and forward progress and some visits from the neighorhood waters can cheer up a person so quickly. This new year will be your best for some time to come, and that is one great resolution, but I have to say that you started it years ago.
So we will wait to hear from you after 'cross around the other side of this storm'.
Young lady - Stay warm and dry and back in contact when you can.
Robert San Diego Ca.
Are you having a real hard time with your sleeping in the southern hemisphere?
molay_robert@yahoo.com

I learned awhile ago that if Jessica doesn't blog for a little while the place to go is "Latest News". People who are in direct contact with her will give us updates when she can't do so herself. I really appreciate that. Eases my mind.

Stay Strong, Stay Smart

Brave in deed, those who take a boat to see
The world we live on from its surface salty
Boats of wood, ships of steel, hulls of fiberglass
Using wind or using fuel, sailing slow or motor fast
Whether by one’s self or with a crew
Each life is risked each day renewed

Though wondrous is our blue pearl
It holds no slack for our young girl
Jesse has put at risk all on sailing skills
To conquer oceans broad, swells like hills
To fight the winds that blow cold and hard
Breakers that’ll convert boats to shards

She dreamed to set a circle record
To separate self from a youthful herd
Now she’s alone to face her task
Not gods, nor dolphins she can ask
To take the helm or to take her risk
Only Jess can short Old Davy’s list

Davy Jones keeps his locker filled full
With mariners who hold all to know
Neptune helps Davy with weather calls
Adverse winds, days in irons, oceans tall
Conquering boredom is the preliminary quest
Using hours to prepare for Neptune’s final test

Complacency at sea is a burden
Unless to Davy you are hurrying
Know this sure for it is fact
Others too have done this act
Not so young, that we know
We all watch Jess’ skill unfold

Jesse, you have picked this task at sea
It serves us all in our humanity
Cold hearted would a person be
That failed to hope for posterity
Fair winds,
And a following sea

Bob McCoy, Sammamish, Washington, USA 47 34’ 48”N 122 03’ 01”W

Jessica,
If you’ve ever faked confidence, you deserve an acting award. I think you have just the right combination of confidence mixed with the proper amount of caution and common sense. Some people experience weather conditions like you have gone through and will go through and they learn to fear the sea. Many of those people never want to step foot on a boat again. But sailors like you don’t learn to fear the sea, you learn to respect it. Because of that respect, you make the preparations that you have and use all necessary precautions to weather it. You have the knowledge and skills along with great equipment and an outstanding shore team to weather any storms that you’ll encounter. Make sure everything below deck is secure, strap in the scallywags and get some rest while you can. Put us on the back burner for awhile. Your shore team has been great about letting us know that you’re safe when you can’t write to us and that’s all that we really need to know. Enjoy the thrill ride and we look forward to hearing from you when you can get back to us.

Have fun, stay safe and happy sailing.

From Seattle, WA, USA

Jessica

Can you please give us a lesson in some of the nautical terms you are using. Some of us have never been around a sail boat before and have no idea what you are talking about. Godspeed to you.

Hi Jesse,

Of course, you'll do it. I bet you'll come out of it with a smile. Even though you might have to clench your teeth once or twice, you'll get out of it with your head up (and maybe your hair wet as well but never mind that too much hey).
Everything and everybody is well ready to face it onboard EPL. All your furry crew is belted tight, please please please, do the same.

You're right, grabbing some sleep while you can is by far the best plan for now.

Keep safe and looking forward to reading your next post.
We'll think of you.

emgb1 from South Wales, UK, (GMT+0)

Skip,Ohoy.Captain Jessica.I will pray that this Storm coming,not will be a bad one,just stay warm and watch that diselheater,you do not want any dangerous gases in your cabin like Co2.(You cant smell that gas)The Photos of the Albatrosses warmed my heart,at first I tought it was a Vandering Albatross but found soon out that it was a Black-Browed Albatross(Diomedea melanophris)also called Black-browed Mollymawk.You had good company out there because Albatrosses are belived to be carriers of the mariner's soul;if a mariner killed an Albatross he vill be cursed for the rest of his life.So if you come close to another Albatross;talk to it,its just another Sailor in a different shape.Exept for Albatrosses you will also see Sautern Giant Petrel(Macronectes giganteus)its a heavy,albatross-size petrel,this bird looks slightly humpbacked in flight. Cape Petrel(Daption capence)This seabird was likened to a pigeon by seamens.The smallest one is Wilson's Storm Petrel.(Oceanites oceanicus)This sparrow-size seabird flutters across the oceans with its legs dangling and often pattering along the sea surface. Jesse G-d speed and all the best.Herman.Hampstead.NH.USA. P.S;Keep an eye on that Disel Heater.

Hi Jesse,

I know you will come through whatever comes at you just fine. You have the natural skill for this, as well as the perfect boat. Olin and Rod Stephens are watching over you with their excellent design, built Aussie tough in "Pink Lady".
I have been thinking about your porpoise and remembered a story from Bernard Moitessier in the 1969 round the world race, as recounted in the book "A Voyage for Madmen". At one point south of Stewart Island NZ, 25 porpoises swam up on starboard and made a hard right turn in unison. Moitessier watched, puzzled. This happened a few times more, so Moitessier checked his compass heading. The wind had shifted, and he was on course to be wrecked on a reef! After changing course, the behavior stopped, and the porpoises swam in front of him on either side. Then all of them swam away, leaving two porpoises to swim with him for the next five hours or so.
This morning I woke from a dream and realized that your blog family are like virtual porpoises keeping you company in the sea of cyberspace. We are all swimming alongside to keep you company. You have created a cyberpod!

Sail on Special One!
Richard W

That little pink boat is inching closer to the horn on the global map...Its a bit harder to figure where you are without longitude and latitude references..but I have you in the right direction and general vicinity and closing...

Have you tried to catch any more dinner? Just wondered if while the sea was becalmed whether you tried your luck...I think you are entering good waters for it. I took out the world atlas and looked it over just so I will know what you're writing about once you navigate through the passage...I know you will be somewhat relieved once you're on the otherside...Jabberwocky and all that..Stay true and cruise free..Our prayers have you covered. Blessings..and Don't forget to eat! Gotta keep up your strength for those challenges ahead..

Gary & Jan
Savannah,Ga

Hi Jess - I'm sure you will be just fine and get through this next blow without a problem.

I've heard that being prepared and having confidence in yourself and your equipment is 80% of dealing with any situition. The remaining 20% are things outside our control and we shouldn't worry about them anyway. They tend to break down our confidence by degrading our judgement so, be strong because you are doing what most people only dare to dream about and because you have the backing of so many people world wide.

We all grow up differently and most people have their sights set on goals that they could never attain in 10 lifetimes or not have any goals at all! It's a real kick-in-the-pants to actually see someone reach one of those dreams.

You are in our prayers every day so feel strong, have fun and in 30 or 40 years you will cherish these memories.

- Joe -

Hello Jess:

You will do fine. Get some rest and cudos for keeping you boat clean and ready. I can not even keep my desk clean... :-)

Take Care, stay safe and talk with you in a couple of days...

Bob and Family from Denver CO. USA.

Hi Jessica,

Keep strong, keep smiling and keep determined. We know you're capable of it. We'll be thinking of you look forward to hearing from you when you get out the other side.

Jess, we are with you all the way, you have a great crew behind you (onboard and onshore) and friends in 'higher places' showing themselves in the shape of albatross, stinky, dolphin) all those combined energies will help lift you up if need be and carry you through any challenges.

hope you got plenty of sleep, mate
cheers
Tia

Go Jesse

I can see you grinning into the face of the wind with your hair flying back and enjoying the thrill - Good on you mate, go for it.