Posted: Nov 04, 2009 02:45 pm EST
(TheOceans.net) Jessica is making good progress; leaving the Tasman Sea behind and heading for the Equator. She says she is having the time of her life out there, even in the unfamiliar waters. Jessica explained about her power and communication systems and doing schoolwork.

Charts

Jessica described some of her daily activities as pouring over charts and forecasts, chatting to a few people on the sat-phone and keeping up with chores and a little maintenance.

She said she is only really comfortable when she and Ella's Pink Lady have the ocean completely to themselves. “Every time a bit of land pops up on the chart it weighs on my mind and almost feels a little claustrophobic!”

Habits

Jessica described some of the little habits she has fallen into, “like brushing my teeth every morning sitting out on the cabin top, the packet of lollies or nuts that sits beside me while I'm working at the computer and sleeping in my harness, lifejacket and overalls, with a knife in my pocket and a headlight about my neck.”

“It might sound a little uncomfortable but I get my best sleep knowing that I can be in the cockpit clipped on and in the cockpit in less than a few seconds.”

Sleeping patterns

Jessica said her sleep patterns are becoming a little strange as she keeps going east and in to new time zones.

“I've got four different clocks all on different times zones, just to confuse myself! I've been sleeping less and less at night and more in the mornings and eating when I feel like it. Maybe I should call it Pink Lady time because it really is like we're off in our own little world.”

Power systems

She explained the power systems on Ella's Pink Lady. “Power is pretty important stuff because it runs the satphones, HF radio, computer, navigation equipment and possibly most importantly the stereo!”

“First off we've got four 80 A/Hr gel batteries and another for starting the engine, I find that I'm almost constantly checking to see how full they are and how much power is coming in and out.”

“Then for charging the batteries we've got two 80 Watt solar panels, a 60 Watt solar panel and a Rutland wind generator. The solar panels give me plenty of power when the sun’s shining and the wind generator constantly works away trickling in a little power.”

“Then for the days when the sun is not shining and the wind is down and I've been playing the stereo too loud, I can run the little Yanmar engine (out of gear!) to give the batteries a little extra boost.”

Communication systems

Jessica says she has two handheld satellite phones and added, “one lives in the grab bag ready for me to take with me if I ever had to abandon ship”.

“Then I've got Internet connection through a small satellite dome on the stern called the sailor 250. This is what enables me to send video clips, pictures, blogs and emails but it can become pretty costly so I can't exactly just browse the Internet all the time.”

“Ella's Pink Lady's also got a HF radio which I use for skeds and listening in to see what other yachts are in the area.”

“Other than that there's a tracker which sends back a constant signal to the appropriate people and all my different EPIRBs (emergency position indicating radio beacons - a signalling device in other words), but they come under the rather extensive subject of safety equipment, so I won't got there tonight!”

Schoolwork

At the end of one of her recent blogs Jessica said she was going to do something “brave, daring and possibly a little reckless”.

“I'm going to open the bag labeled 'School Work'. OK, so maybe I'm being a bit of a drama queen, but wish me luck on this one!”

The next day she reported that she didn't have much luck with her schoolwork. After completing the first English assignment she sent it off to discover that she had opened the wrong bag and have been working on next year's assignments!

Jessica Watson was born on 18 May 1993 on the Gold Coast and currently lives in Buderim Australia. On 19 October 2009 16-year old Jessica Watson set sail on from Sydney Harbour passing the official start line of her around the world journey at Sydney Heads at 9.49 am. It is a estimated 23,000 mile, 230 day solo voyage.

Jessica’s goal is to sail solo around the world non-stop, unassisted. She says she has chosen a route that is a traditionally recognised path and distance for ‘around the world sailors’.

Part 1 – Departing Sydney and North to the Line Island; Part 2 – South to Chile and Cape Horn; Part 3 – Cape to Cape; Part 4 – The South Atlantic Ocean to the African continent; Part 5 – Rounding South Africa; Part 6 – Southern Ocean to Home.

Jessica stated on her website, “There are a few key targets I must achieve to qualify for around the world status. The approximate distance is 23,000 nautical miles (about 38,000 kilometres). I must depart and arrive from the same port, cross all lines of longitude, cross the equator entering into the Northern Hemisphere at least once and round the southern landmarks of South America and South Africa. This route is very similar to the one chosen by Kay Cottee, who returned in 1988.”

‘Ella’s Pink Lady’ specs according to Jessica’s website:
The S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34, a classic design from the famous Sparkman & Stephens, it is known firstly for its seaworthiness, toughness and track record. It is a boat capable of consistent speeds and one that Jessica can easily handle.

The S&S 34 became famous after Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin used them for their history making solo circumnavigations. There is now an S&S 34 association and hundreds of other S&S 34 have made and are making successful circumnavigations and offshore passages.

S&S 34’s are commonly entered in the notorious Sydney to Hobart and many participate in club racing all around Australia and the world.

Spesifications:
Length Overall: 10.23m
Waterline Length: 7.37m
Beam: 3.08m
Draft: 1.83m

American Abby Sunderland who was born on 16 October 1993 and also aims to do a solo circumnavigation as the youngest to do so.

Both British Mike Perham and American Zac Sunderland sailed around the world assisted. They were 16 when they started their voyages. Zac turned 17 on November 29, 2008 and Mike turned 17 on March 16, 2009.

Mike stayed further out to sea, whereas Zac stayed closer to shore. Zac Sunderland departed on his yacht from Marina del Rey, California on 14 June 2008 and arrived back 13 months later on July 16, 2009. Mike Perham left from Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays on Saturday 15th November 2008 and crossed his finish line on 27 August 2009. He currently holds the record for the youngest sailor around the world, assisted.

A 14-year old Dutch girl, Laura Dekker’s dream is to become the youngest to sail around the world, but it her home country’s authorities haven’t given her permission to go.

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