Hasbeen

<< When Jessica sets off, she will be just one of qiute a few thousand people sailing around the world, at any one time. It's no big deal. >>

<< She will be doing the typical "round the world" trip, used by many races, & single handed "adventurers". >>

You can try all you like, Hasbeen, to paint this endeavour as an ordinary everyday walk in the park. The fact remains that many people, experienced sailors amongst them, consider lengthy solo sailing voyages to constitute an unacceptable level of risk.

Many who've made these voyages themselves argue that there should always be a minimum of two on board, so that careful watch can be maintained at all times, emergency situations handled more effectively with two heads and pairs of hands to tackle them and isolation and loneliness kept at bay.

Long term solo sailing is a high risk activity for anyone. Throw into the mix the natural immaturity of youth, the lack of life experience and the common gender disadvantage of a slight build and many would argue that the risk rises to the level of irresponsibility.

Fractelle

<< We will have to agree to disagree. I admire Jessica and wish her and all the other crazy mountain climbers, building abseilers, hang gliders, kite surfers, racing car drivers every bit of luck - they'll need it. >>

Fortunately, I don't have your need to experience that adrenalin rush because if I did, unlike you, I doubt I'd still be around! I do have sympathy for those who do though and I see it as a compelling argument. But as I've made the point ad nauseam now (I'm sorry!), I think the risk that one's own risk taking imposes on others has to be taken into account. A line has to be drawn somewhere and I see long solo sailing voyages as crossing that line.

It might just be adrenalin differences, Fractelle, that have you and I crossing that line at different points! :)

Bronwyn

As always you have presented your view in a fair and reasonable manner.

Posting to this forum would be less of a challenge if we agreed on everything. Regardless of which side of the line upon which our opinions may fall, I regard you as one of the rational influences of the often perplexing mix of OLOers. And I always look forward to reading your opinion.

I do admit to having lived dangerously and to quote Paul Kelly done "all the dumb things" and lived to tell the tale, many don't and I have no idea why I have been spared when others have not.

I am not 100% committed to the idea that people should just race off on whatever quest takes their fancy. However, if they insist on doing so, then I'll be there to offer support and celebrate their return or commiserate.

Its probably a good thing I live three hours drive from my young niece and nephew (my sister is far more middle-of-the-road than I) so I am not too much of a 'bad' influence.

Cheers

Hey Fractelle, you’d hate my household, drives me nuts how safe I have to be, safety mats everywhere – Allegation Team will come rushing in and emotionally traumatise any child that has a decent bruise. “Duty of Care” gone stupid stupid stupid.

I am constantly saying “slow down” “get off it isn’t safe” “be careful” on and on, now my own kids when little just went for it with bumps and bruises and scrapes as a daily part of a fun childhood. Hooning through the bush, tipping over wasp nests – all part of living life and natural consequences.

My son who is terrified of heights did a bungee jump not long ago, nearly in tears but he did it – good on him, the poofta.

I think we both feel Jessica is going to go an adventure; we’re probably both a little jealous and would love to be in her shoes and be given that amazing opportunity at that age. The thought of her sailing off makes us smile. The risk involved, well that is what makes it amazing.

The thought of anyone wishing to stop her annoys us, the killjoys.

Hey I just called out to my daughter Have you heard of Jessica Watson – “Yeah!”, she goes (shouting from the bathroom), “She’s an actress I think, google her!”. So I yell back at her who it is and what she wants to do and her reply “What an idiot!”. Fractelle anytime you feel like coming to my house and slapping my daughter around for awhile you just let me know.

Piper

The irony is that as a child I was a shy, timid, skinny thing - although I always watched with envy the kids who would dive into rivers, or mono-wheel their BMX's. Then one day, I entered the world of adolescence, hormones invaded my being and I have only really slowed down now - ME being a significant influence.

Yes I do envy Jessica; so let's watch her sail towards the horizon of the rest of her life taking with her a little bit of all who would venture away from the limits of this corner of the world, but restrained by responsibilities, commitments and the expectations of others.

Bronwyn, "The fact remains that many people, experienced sailors amongst them, consider lengthy solo sailing voyages to constitute an unacceptable level of risk."

Agreed. I am sure that few posters have any idea of the risks. No way I would put my daughter's life at risk when the commonsense and the rules of navigation at sea are so at odds with the undertaking. The first concern of the skipper is the safety of all on board and the vessel, yet this small craft will be so short-handed that an effective watch cannot be maintained and the skipper is inexperienced and untried in major voyages.

North Coast Qld to Sydney is enough for her and leave the biggie for another day. But then there is bugger all media interest in a short trip and there is the rub.

Fractelle, '"I do admit to having lived dangerously and to quote Paul Kelly done "all the dumb things" and lived to tell the tale'

Be assured that your judgement is still poor where you would counsel others to do the same.

Oh Cornflower, we might not be able to work out why are kids do what they do at times but surely most parents know their own children’s capabilities and skills.

Young Jessica I wouldn’t send in to situations I know my daughter could handle and I wouldn’t send my girl around the world in a boat.

If her parents have decided she can do it then I would suggest they know more about her and the risks than any of us. And if something goes wrong I’m sure they will suffer more grief than any of us.

If DoCS stepped in and forbid this would we agree with that? Is this what we want?

I hate the suggestions that these are parents making bad choices; they have raised an extremely confident and talented young person.

Fractelle I think this was beautifully said:

“…so let's watch her sail towards the horizon of the rest of her life taking with her a little bit of all who would venture away from the limits of this corner of the world, but restrained by responsibilities, commitments and the expectations of others.”