Official Jessica Watson Blog

Queen Bee,

I followed that link and wished that I'd had the time and patience to write that article. Your SPOT ON! Why all the knockers and nay sayers can't just shut up is beyond me.
Here we have a young girl. She obviously doesn't take drugs or she would'nt be where she is. She's not out getting into fights and making a menace of herself. Why are so many of her fellow Australians so keen to belittle her??? It's got me beat.

I can't wait until Jessica completes this voyage and then listen to all the knockers change their tune.

Good on you, Jess. You have some support here: http://www.essentialmadness.com/articles/Miscellaneous/Why_Rain_on_Jess%27_Parade?

On reading through various comments on this site and taking into consideration, the interesting weather patterns that we've seen along the Southern coastline of Australia across to New Zealand - in recent months; would it be possible to find out whether Jessica's lifejacket is fitted out with other items which could be valuable if needed?

Jess, you will find three major groups of people in this world. 1. Those who do. Without these types of people mankind would still be in the stone age. 2. Those who don't. Don't knock these people. They are who they are, and often live their dreams through the actions of the "doers" 3. The knockers. These are the bad type. Not only do they not accomplish much themselves, but they do all they can to bring down the doers. You can't ignore them Jess, because they can make so much mischief, but you can pity them, because win or lose you can say you "had a go", where as at the end of their life the knockers can only look back at a life of negative actions. Give it your best shot Jess, and good luck.

John McK

be safe and be lucky

Things can get a bit wobbly out there, especially when you are on your own. Most people have no grasp of what you are undertaking to do and it all seems like a wonderful fantasy. Just a quick tip from an old sea dog to avoid injury to your most important sailing assets, feet and hands; when ever you are on deck wear rubber toe capped shoes like Keens, wear gloves when ever you have to do any rope work. I always have a little stack, LED headlight, Keen shoes and gloves at the companionway. Checking your route, SE trades around Fiji and further east are often ESE, potentially lots of slow very uncomfortable windward work especially if you are non stop. That may be the worst part of the trip. Good luck and when the going gets tough the tough get going…

Hey Jessica, all the best and fair winds on your way ti live your dream. Forget all the stupid comments behind you, look forward and believe me we all are with you. Many regards from Germany,yours Marcus

good luck. follow your dreams.

don't listen to the naysayers or the media - they only tear you down to make themselves feel better.

the world is made better by people like you who attempt difficult things, not the lazy ones who revel in their mediocrity.

stavros

Good on you Jess> live the dream, stay safe

Good luck Jessica :))

Hi Jessica,
Your plan of travelling solo round the world is greatly inspiring to a large number of Vietnamese youths in Vietnam, I am told.
I am a freelance journalist and write regularly for a number of newspapers in Vietnam (in Vietnamese). I have added your site and blog on my blog at http://leminhs.wordpress.com/, in which I update major points in your progress to my Vietnamese readers. What ever you do keep your head straight, stay focus, and you will make it. Your family and friends (me included) are behind you.

Best,
Minh Le (could call me Uncle Minh like in Vietnamese culture :-) if you like)

Jessica,
Best wishes for the rest of your trip to Sydney. With conditions your encountering it will be big confidence boost. I recall Sir Francis Chichester saying in his book (Gypsy Moth Circles the World), amongst the hardest things was dealing with people dissuading him from continuing due to his age. I think he was in his late 60’s or early 70’s.
Stay safe.
Mike (NZ)

Hey anon@8am, interesting weather indeed. Hopefully Jessica's far enough off shore in which case 3m sea/swell shouldn't be a problem for her boat, and if the wind turns more E than S then she can ride it in to Sydney. The big question will be Monday -- with almost no wind at all forecast. Anyone can sail in 15 - 20 knot winds but the test of true sailing skill is how well you go when the wind dies down to 5 or even 2 knots! Good luck Jessica.

Good luck miss,Stay safe and remember...one hand for you and one hand for your voyage....
All the best steele and ness,
NEWCASTLE,NSW.

Hi Jessica, wondering how you're going out there. The weather chart looks good for a beam run down the coast, hope you're making the most of it. You might ask your weather router to tell you when you come across that trough line, it would pay to point more SW when you do. Hi from us all at Berrys Bay, Sydney.

Enjoy every day of your voyage. Most of your knockers are those who would not have your courage and spirit of adventure. You certainly have the support of all our sailing friends! Live the dream!!

Live your dream and ignore the negativity.I envy you the peace and solitude u will have on your journey. Please write a book! I would love to read it.

Mother Nature has some interesting weather to the south of where Jessica is and now the possibility of a gale wind warning and a couple of interesting lows. The media's attention has been fascinating and there's a great more to unfold re this epic voyage.

Jess, seize the day! What a great inspiration you are. I am following you all the way on your quest. May God watch over you and keep you safe and give you wisdom in your every decision. Go girl!!

Jessica,
Chloe is right, there are many, many thousands of people out there that are excited about what you are doing and are praying for you and believe in you and your dreams. Just keep on going and be safe!
-Tony
Orlando, FL

Following your adventure with Joy and Happy to read your optimistic words! Its' great to know you are underway again. We are excited with each report.
Gary & Jan
Savannah,Ga

great to hear all is going well at sea
i`lle hope you feel better soon;p
don`t pay attention to all the "bad media" and focuss forward

then i hope te read your next blog soon!

Good Luck Jessica and take it easy on the way down the rain is here till at least Tuesday is Sydney, Hope all is well

Hi Jessica, As a Dutch girl studying in Sydney I heard your story on the news. A remarkable goal you got there girl, go for it! I'll be following your blog. I'm really interested on how you'll manage to pull this off.
As you might know, I'm sure you do, a 13 year old Dutch girl, Laura Dekker, would like to do the same thing; it's a bit of an issue in the Netherlands as she is so young.
Anyways, take care, be safe, ENJOY!
Liefs, Marlaine

Go girl! Hope to see you in Sydney as my wife and I will be down there for a couple of weeks.

Best wishes and Good luck!!!

Hello Jessica, I am greatly enjoying your website and your blogs, although I am growing apprehensive as you approach Cape Horn. I rarely pray nowadays, but I am praying that God be with you on your extraordinary voyage.
Please do not climb the mast again!

Bill from North Carolina USA

I have been doing some catch-up reading on your blog for the last couple entries. Climb up the mast looks really cool and fun/scary! I just wanted to say I'm glad you are still having a great time out there. It takes a strong girl (or boy, not descriminating) to endure being at sea this long. Sending love and support your way.

Until next time,
Ben

Hey Jess

Wonder Woman, just about sums you up I think, well done.


Stay Safe

Berlin Red

To blogger Todd, by the big cold lake

December 21, 2009 1:56 PM

Speak for yourself. Just because we haven't heard from Jessica for a couple of days doesn't mean "Jessica is in Jeopardy". Kill that glass half empty attitude of yours and show some belief and faith in Jessica Watson and EPL.

To blogger Des
December 21, 2009 8:16 AM
Get a life! Jessica Waston is not here to live up to your expectations.

12-21-09 @ 00:45
Hi Jessica,
Just wanted to say Hi and wish you well. I figure everything is going well for you, and you're just doing some "Jessica Time". Good for you, I just hope you're not feeling down, blue or anything of that nature.
Up here in WV, and the whole East Coast, we're experiencing a heavy snowfall. Turnpikes shut down, emergency crews on the run, but people are out there getting ready for Ole' St. Nick.
You take care of yourself and be safe, remember to drink lots of water.

For Mike from Canberra:
Thanks for the heads up on Laura, I’m glad she’s OK.

Looking forward to your next post, and pics if any are available.
Always proud of you and always thinking of you.
May God be with you and watch over you and may the angels keep your sails full, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Michael (74) from Kingwood, WV

Hey Jesse - awesome photo and great electrics - also 7000nm is some sail. The kids and I are amazed by every blog you write - we are with you every step of the way - stay warm and safe. Hobart start is only 5 dasy away so Sydney is looking spectacular and we'll all be thinking of you as the guys start south just as you are.Cheers Crowie, Lu, Max, Zoe and Sam

Hey Jess don't know how you do it climbing up that mast 12 metres high.There's no way I would do that "no siree" I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on good ol' terra firma thankyou kindly!
A very gutsy effort Jess!
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
Melbourne

And the amazing Jess is now an electrician too! Well done! You are going to return to OZ with so many new skills!!

Jill (Newcastle)

i hope you have a nice christmas and a happy new year love from zac (aged 4)

i hope you make it jessica (from zac's brother)

Hello Jessica:
It has been a couple of days,and no word from you. The suspense builds! The "Perils of Pauline" are nothing compared to our imaginings of "Jessica in Jeopardy!" I expect we will soon hear from you, and the word will be, "Got wind!" Hopefully there will be a video showing the humping and galloping swells with EPL hooning along under storm sails towards the Cape. Don't forget to give us a peek at the knot-meter showing your speed through the water.

Hope you are able to get some rest and sleep amidst all the excitement and fun, and that your electrical problem STAYS fixed.

Todd, by the big cold lake

Laura Dekker is fine folks - she has been found and is back with her Dad I believe. More news can be found from Google.

Rock on Jesse! Enjoy those 40's.

Mike (from Canberra)

Thinking of you every day Jess, have a safe and happy Christmas,...you are truly an inspiration, cant wait to read your book when you write it !!!

WOW! I am a 20 year old girl from Norway who read your blog for the first time today. It's pretty damn awesome! :D Keep up the good work!

Hugs Marianne (aka Mary Jane)

Ritchie Paris,
Very eloquent response at 8:42pm. You hit the nail on the head. JW has made me take stock of my life and resolve to do the things I have always dreamed of doing.It is never too late.

I went to Thomas Edison's West Orange Laboratory in New Jersey two weeks ago and saw what a determined individual can accomplish in their lifetime.

Edison Bio Link

If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas A. Edison

Richard W

Hey Jessica...no update sine Friday,hows it going with you?You are pretty amazing,i have been watching your progress from Edmonton Alberta,,,,,,,,,hang in there,,,,,,,,,,,Eric

To Hesakiah299

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091220/ap_on_re_eu/eu_netherlands_young_sailor

To RichieParis (Dec 19, 8.42pm) and Karin (Dec 19, 10.12pm) re: Victor's comments.
Very thoughtful and well said.
Also, I like your idea of using the "not aboard" approach to dieting too RichieParis - good luck and congrats on losing the kgs!

Wow. I really admire you. I would never dare to do something like that, but it must be wonderful feeling the freedom of being on your own doing your dream. But seriously, don't you go to school? Did you just take a couple of years off?

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

Hello everybody,

I just wanted to share this excerpt I read in todays news and hope it serves to inspire us all to "do the right thing" and "think before we throw".

I know this is Jessica's page but in view of the fact that 100's of countries read this blog daily, how could I resist. Forgive me Jessica, Team and Fellow bloggers.

"The North Pacific Garbage Patch is an area about the size of Texas full of plastic rubbish to a depth of about six metres. Because of four competing ocean currents which operate in a clockwise direction, the garbage thrown off ships and blown off land has accumulated in a becalmed area in the centre, posing risks to birds and marine life. The area is choked with plastic items, which can be sponges for toxins, varying in size from a kayak to the tiniest wisps of plastic. To the eye as you look across it, it undulates like regular ocean, but when you look down into it, it's just plastic everywhere. It's ocean, but it's kind of like soupy ocean".

Thanks for your time everyne and have a nice day.

Hey Jess
Hope all is going well? It looks like you have a kind 'window' in the weather but still 15' seas. Nothin you cant handle. You go girl !! Dont feel obliged to blog us, just keep up your rest when you can, food (high carbs) and maintenance.

We are all on shore cheering you on - keep on keeping on.... and dont forget to continue to enjoy it too....

SHORE TEAM: Hi there, would you be so kind as to give an update on Jess. Many thanks.

Carole (mackay) Queensland

Dearest Jess,

I KNOW you're okay and very well supported by your team. I just want to wish you well and send you a worldwide hug with lots of Christmas tenderness.

Safe sailing and favorable, manageable winds to you. May the sun shine on you daily and the stars guide you through the night.

I'm in awe of you. You're simply tremendous in your courage and determination to persevere.

Mary, Maine, USA

Hi Jessica,

No recent posts, so, praying your managing okay. The bird's eye view of Ella's Pink Lady at sea from the mast was just astounding, like an eye in the ocean - you're a brave young woman. I hope to learn to sail one day. You're an inspiration. Be safe.

You have to be a Jack (or Jill) of all trades out on the wild seas Jess - well done in sorting the electrical problem.

Hi Jess,
I have been following since the start and am totally awestruck by you and this incredible journey. I am also loving reading all the comments from around the world, it really makes it seem that the world is not such a vast place and we really are all neighbours in a sense. (though i'm sure from the vantage point of a tiny boat in the ocean it's VAST enough!)I am in Deniliquin in the Riverina region of New South Wales, about 10hours drive from Sydney. I will be making that drive to be standing there at the marina when you sail through the heads and into the history books. Well Jess I cant tell you how different our scenery is. You out there with blue ocean as far as the eye can see and me landlocked with wheat crops on every horizon as far as the eye can see. Same planet though hehe.Take care young lady have fun and be safe. Wishing you endless "smooth sailing".
Julie from the dry,hot(35+C)dusty Hay Plains.
Deniliquin 2710 NSW Australia