Official Jessica Watson Blog

Hi wonderful Jess.
My letter to the West Australian Newspaper appears today on p.23. In it I denounce the actions of the WSSRC and have called them 'irrelevant'. I compare you to Amelia Earhart who had the strength of character to defy the odds of age, gender and convention. You are a trailblazer and an inspiration for the youth of today. On May 15 Australia, and indeed the World, will have a new female hero to applaud - YOU! Love, Phil, Perth, W.A.

I'm sure that with all your feeling for EPL that you can sail her into Circular Quay and round up into the wind ( assuming its a Nor Easter !) and dock her on West Side of Opera House!
Thoughts from an old aussie ( 2298) now residing in the other Victoria (BC,, Canada) and the proud owner of a big sister ( ok, cousin?) to EPL, a 1981 S&S Catalina 38 registered in Canada as 'Waltzing Matilda'
Fantastic job mate, now bring you and her home safely!

Jesssseee : )
Well havn't you gone far. this time has gone so fast, i have been keeping up to date wiht you're blogs and you'r videos. sounds like you'r enjoying you're time out in the water, you have inspired me soo much you are soo brave mum and i just finished watching one of you're videos and she said & she isnt even 17 yet wat a brave girl ) which i have to agree with her on that one, Our birthdays are comming up soon both turning 17 on the 18th May we are both may babies : ) which is pretty awsome it's gonna be good to have you back home for you're birthday. i cant belive you have done this all by you'rself to sail around the world alone. i can't even go out in the ocean by myself at the beach let alone you getting on a sail boat and traveling the world you're one amazing girl keep up the good work look forward to hearing from you when you reach sydney : )

Stay safe lots of wishé's
Payden Kayte Hill , QLD Brissy : ) xx

hey jesse. well we will start trackin you more closely now as my dad is gettin sooooooooooooooooo xcited about seeing u come into sydney. He has put u ahead of taking his wife out for her birthday! lol! only caused major issues! only jokin.
he is so inspired by u mate n likewise am i. he's an avid sailor- just he gets sea sick-opps lol.
our family has just started tracking our friend go across the tasman to take mephisto back to nz.
glad u njoyed company of seagull n moth.
Emma Glasson

Lol.

My time flies when you are having fun! It hardly seems like six months since you set sail and the media storm surrounding the fact a 16 year old was sailing around the world alone. Well the media of late are eating humble pie and singing your praises--as they should. You keep proving your critics wrong.

However, I must admit I never thought I would be reading about a moth on your blog. The mind boggles, regards exactly where this lone moth materialised from--especially since you were so far out to sea. I look forward to a report regards a fly, it will probably mean you are much closer to land and home.

Hey Jess

Well Done and would like to wish you all the best in your safe journey back in to Sydney. Great achievement

Nathaniel

Jess, WOW you are truly amazing. I mean the courage that you have to be out on the huge ocean by yourself is just amazing :)
i know i sure couldn't do it. Except with your great knowledge of sailing and experience I have to say you have done exceptionally well. Not long now :D until you return to Australia. I am sure you cant wait to come home now. I hope the rest of your trip is safe and keep up the good work
love Ashleigh
xx

Hi Jesse, Having done some ocean sailing I appreciate your effort and your feelings. The sea can be beautiful and frightening. I appreciate the feelings of your parents allowing their 16 year old to take on this challenge. You are a beautiful person in every way and I only wonder, having completed this epic voyage, what you will do when it is over. Whenever I see a small child I am filled with the hope that they have a happy life and achieve all their ambitions. You are well on the way.

GOOOOOO JessIca, less that a month and you will be home, have enjoyed your blogs, what a gutsy gal you are, safe sailing over the next few weeks Sydney and all of Australia is waiting to give you a huge welcome home.

I havn' t comment before but have been following you from day 1 and what a ride you have been on over the last 6 months .

well done with only 500nm to go i which you all the best .

Owen

Since when did the weather man ever get a forecast right?

We had a storm last night that blasted me out of my bed ... I think that one was the one that Jesse was supposed to sail into 2morro...

We talk about you all day Jesse, in all circles of people, all around the world.

You make tears fall out of my eyes, and I dont cry much these days. Its your courage that does it. We wake at odd hours wondering how you are, when we grab our lattes, we look towards your direction and wish we could send one your way.

Now, just in case the weather man is right, dig into that nutella, get ya sugar levels peaking, and stay as far away from the rocks of Tas as you can.

Its your skill that will bring you home... Seeya real soon Lady Jesse the girl about to rock the world to its core by stunning glory for all youth.

Good morning Jessica;
Strength comes from within,your strength will get you through the tough days ahead,just remember the outcome is your dream coming true.
You have out shined an entire world,so a few hurdles wont keep you from your destiny.
You have grown up right in front of our eyes,I will so miss your words,descriptive pros and your million dollar smile,but history will say ,a young lady went to sea in a Pink boat and accomplished her dream in a world that needs adventures.
Sounds like mother nature is going to keep you busy,get those stuffy crew manning the sails,whops,not such a good idea.....
Thanks as all ways for your updates,my day is not complete,by the way I think we are going to have to tie down Sam,she is like a little kid on Christmas morn.
Love all the comments daily,our world family has surely grown over the months and so it should.
Jessica,keep that positive attitude going,stay focused,you will succeed at journeys end.
Godspeed,hugs,much love,
Aloha,
Stephen M.,
Transplanted Aussie,
Maryland,USA.

Oh I love the Albatross they are my fav sea bird the way they glide the crest of swells is something I could watch all day, simple things can entertain simple minds probably why I enjoyed your story about the little moth lol.
Wow has it been six months out there already, you will get on land and feel sea sick when you get home, one good thing is if you miss the ocean it is always out there waiting for you hey.
Whats this, no wind ! I would sack that little moth if I were you he's not flapping his wings hard enough, tell him the plank is looking mighty lonely if he doesn't pull his socks up. ----O.O----

You're an inspiration to all, Jess, and an fine example to all those expert nay-sayers at the beginning of your voyage.
One thing - it would be great if you could show your current lat/lon at the beginning of your blog. It's a great way for school kids who are following you to learn some of the basics.
Fair winds and sunshine,
Bill, in Berkeley California

@Blogmaster, .........Thank You for your wisdom and diligence and all the hard work you are putting in to manage Jessica's blog, the end result is a very worthy trophy to present to Jesse when she comes back. Best Regards. .. ConFusUs.

Good morning Jessica;
You keep talking to yourself,be careful you do not start talking back at each other....
Keep up the smile ,positive attitude,you will be coming through the heads before you know it.
I am sure the jessicaholics will be waiting in full force.
Not good your weather forecast for dry conditions,but hey who said the last lap was going to be easy,I remain your supporter to the end,like I have said many times,your accomplishments have been enormous,so keep that focus going,not a speech, just a pep talk.
Got to go to HQ,work is never done,when the team is out in the field[ China].
Godspeed young lady,my heart and prayers remain with you in spirit,you go girl.
Hugs and much love to you and crews.
Stephen,M,
Transplanted Aussie,
Maryland, USA

wow thats soo cool have u liked it or are u ready to be back on dry land? i know i would i like to go fishing thats about all ive ever done on a boat soo i cant imagne being on a boat that long.

I wonder if the moth was counting it's blessings in having found a nice, safe place to land and rest for a while! You were both probably as happy as each other just to lay your eyes on something interesting. Nature - a joy at any given moment. Keep safe and well Jesse, you're in our thoughts.

Hi Jessica,
I thought I'd swoop down and join the friendly alberto, lol.☻
I thought you'd be rounding The Apple Isle by now.
Western Australia seemingly goes on forever. How about catching a ride on one of those 'moths' in melbourne!
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geTExu9EGts&feature=related ]
they have Hydrofoils, lol.
That wind is looking pretty darn serious down there over the next few days.
I think your mum was right to be worried about this part of the world.
☺☺☺Hoo Roo☺☺☺

g'day jesse,
been reading your blogs religously and have checked in at computers all over the world to see them, but just realised you will never know how many of us do that if we don't leave a message !
anyway chicky you are an inspiration and a wonderful aussie. happy sailing, you can almost smell the oats of home eh! xxx
emma in moora

Jessica, you're an amazing young woman! All my best wishes are with you for the final legs. Take care of yourself.

Oh yes thats right,Youngest Solo Non Stop and Unassisted Circumnavigation,that was the Idea was’nt it.... or should I say the excuse ... the reason...the cause celebre...and I could never forget that you are young and that you have sailed Alone and Non stop and Unassisted and have circumnavigated the planet by way of every ocean,come what may..but it seems to me to have become so much more.So much more, that the original concept has paled into insignificance almost,Perhaps though that is just the perception of a member of your blog family,if I may claim that description,one who has watched and listened to the stories and heartfelt comments from people older and wiser than me from all over the World,people whose lives have been touched in so many blessed and personal ways that I am humbled and honoured to witness.People like Maureen who with her husband Phil,in his final days God Bless)found in Jessica and her voyage time to share,time to face the final days with something wonderful to follow together,something relevant to Phil’s experience in this life and possibly left Phil feeling a little... forever young,and allowing Maureen to rest a little easier for the realisation of it.This a thought that will stay with me forever,Jessica singing Forever Young,alone that night upon the windswept ocean,as if in remembrance of an anthem.
The parents who lost their child in a boating accident in port and whose hearts and blessings went out to Jessica as she faced the wildest stretches of the ocean accompanied by the spirits around her of ocean life. My heart was breaking with gratitude for their love expressed as sharing a common spirit and Joy of a life being lived as may have been a reflection of a daughter lost.
To Jessicas parents who risk all in their Love,Oh what courage...Human hearts are a wondrous thing.
We see also the children of the many school’s whose teachers have found the value in the Life lessons that Jessica and her voyage represent and reflect like a beacon in the dark.She’ll Be Coming Round The Horn When She Comes still brings tears of joy and laughter to my eyes,knowing that a school and children so far away have come so close.I can only think it another example of the impression Jessica has made upon those who have taken the time to visit and take notice of her voyage.It is Jesses Gift.
Furthermore there are all those who find the inspiration to do a little more or try a little harder to face the daily hurdles that we are challenged with in the process of Being,and living our lives and doing our jobs and surviving in our own environments,It may not sound exciting but it is what we are called upon to do...and in the doing is our success.
Its all in the details,I guess and how we grow and be.the wealth of experience and growth that flows from Jessica to all the corners of all the worlds that Jessica has touched go far beyond any records or titles achieved,and at least for those she has touched render them superfluous.We are so lucky.It is so much more.Having said that Jesse,you are the youngest ! Congratulations!!but more than that you are Jessica!! Congratulations!!stevep

Go Jessica, not far to go now. Head up, only around 20 sleeps to go or less!!

Hello Captain Jesse, Great update! Hope all continues to go well! Love all the blog comments too! RichieParis that was great! WorkerBev wish you well, and hello to everyone else! Godspeed and safe sailing Jesse. Mike