I think it's insane!

A sixteen year old, inexperienced, who crashed
into a huge tanker on her trial run (how on
earth could she have missed seeing it?).

This all sounds like a publicity stunt - and at
what price?

No, I don't buy it. Why all the hoopla?
If her parents are sincere, why not then just let
her get on with it quietly - why get the press
involved? What's wrong with being a 'quiet achiever,'
if that's what this is really all about?

As a parent, I would have some serious doubts about
allowing a 16 year old on their own, to sail around
the world - no matter how much she wanted to do it.
She's not an adult to make that sort of a decision.
Her parents need to have their heads examined - or
their motives. Still, I believe there's a thriteen
year old in Europe, who's ready to have a go as well.
We can only hope and pray that they make it back alive.

I think that anyone who potentially places themselves at un-neccessary risk should either out up a bond, or, arrange insurance in case they require rescuing.

Remember, we can't even afford a decent health system in the country, let alone support for some 'thrill seeker'.

No offence but we anr'nt exactly flush with cash at this point in time.

I have a 16 year old daughter. There is no way on earth that I would condone her embarking on such an "adventure" regardless of how knowledgable she might be. I would be doing everything in my power to stop her. As others have stated, experienced male sailors have run into massive difficulties on such undertakings. How is it reasonable for a young and necessarily inexperienced woman to take this on? Yes, the fact that she is female is significant. A fit mature man will have much more strength and stamina than a young woman. The importance of this fact is multiplied when you're alone i.e. in a life and death situation there is no one to help you. Another not insignificant reason is that if she encounters individuals with less than desirable intentions as soon as she is identified as a lone female her chances of attack will skyrocket. She might and hopefully will have an incident free journey and return fit and well. Unfortunately I think the odds are well and truly stacked against this result.

You know what guys, now and again I get a teenager come to stay with me who has just lived in crap, no moments of glory or recognition. Boredom and nothingness has proceeded their placement and entire existence, moments of abuse were at the very least a variation on the theme and welcomed as such.

She might be spoilt, she might not be doing it for any other reason than wanting to, and she might be sucked in to a media circus.

If for no other reason than she is here and having fun I wish her god speed.

I have a 17 year old daughter and I would do everything in my power to dissuade her from going on such a dangerous journey!

No doubt the young sailors parents would need to be bankrolling this trip? How would they feel if it leads to a tragedy?
She is too young to have had enough experience in dealing with the inevitable problems ahead.

Maybe she could just try a trip around Australia first?
What of pirates out there?

This is far more dangerous than letting her learn to drive or go out to nightclubs surely?
If seasoned yachties get into trouble, what chance has she?

Interesting responses - thanks everybody. The Courier-Mail poll is currently running at 55% against her continuing, and we seem to be similarly divided here.

I must confess that I was a sailing nut when I was young, and read Slocum, Chichester, Rose etc in my teens. A bit later in life I knew a remarkable middle-aged woman who circumnavigated the globe solo in her 26-foot Folkboat, only to founder on a rock at the entrance to Sydney's Pittwater after she'd returned. My favourite teacher from primary school (also a woman) also did the same thing but didn't sink her boat.

It's always been my dream to do something similar, but now that I'm in a position where I could do so if I really wanted, I doubt that my physical health would permit me. However, it would have been a relative doddle when I was 16 and fit as a trout.

I agree with those who cite risk and mental immaturity as good reasons that Jessica should not continue to pursue her dream. However, I've no doubt that she and her family have discussed these negative factors extensively and come to the conclusion that she is capable of overcoming them. They could well be tragically wrong, but I don't think that it's essentially a different issue from allowing kids to go surfing, dinghy sailing or rock climbing etc without adult supervision.

One of the problems I see with contemporary young people is that too many are insulated from actual physical risks and the mental challenges that come with them, and seek the satisfaction and adrenalin rush that one derives from such activities in 'safer' activities like taking drugs and playing virtual reality computer games. It certainly isn't for everyone, but I think for exceptional young people like Jessica Watson the undertaking of an actual grand adventure is likely to provide her with excellent grounding for life as a capable, self-reliant adult.

But that's just my opinion :)

P.S. I'll only be online sporadically for the next week or so.