Yachting FAIL - Jessica Watson

[osirissail]

- - We seem to drifting in the direction of "motivation" for the record attempt. Forget about "seeing the world" - She will be totally out of sight of land, except for really large mountains, for the vast majority of her voyage. Somewhat akin to "seeing a city by driving through it on the elevated super expressway at speed and never stopping.
- - Based only on her photos with her mouth open and the news that everything from the boat to all the equipment and all the outfitting and repairs are totally paid for by the long list of sponsors - it can be conjectured that she and her family are below the average income level of the average Aussie family. Again, assuming that she and her family have "normal" aspirations for their daughter to advance herself in the world by University or other expensive educational endeavours - they are in need of a lot of money.
- - I do not know what it costs in Australia for a university education, but in the USA you are looking at $20-30K for tuition and supplies per year for State run Schools. Top name schools and private schools get up to $50K per year.
- - Most of the costs are deferred by scholarships, student loans, or grants. But you need "academic achievement," "athletic achevement," or some other "talent" to defray the "retail" price of a university education. If the Watson family is fairly normal they have explored how to pay for such "higher education" and searched for - what talents does Jessica have that might bring in money to offset the costs? There are a lot of assumptions here, but I think they settled on her desire and abilities to sail. She is obviously (no proof) not involved or associated with any racing or big name crewing on sailboats in major sailing venues so that leaves "record breaking." For instance, Tani Enebi lived off her singular round the world achievement for many years. Guest appearances, books, seminars, etc. brought in money for her to live on. But eventually everybody gets older and new "young" people outdo your ancient history achievements and the money stops.
- - I can see where the father's statement contains overtones of this need to get her out there before she can no longer can considered "the youngest." The clock is ticking. The overwhelming PR and media frenzy is the result of deliberate efforts on her families part and they even have PR specialists on their sponsor list. You don't make the money needed by doing the "record" quietly. What do you think?

[Factor]

Wow - so based on almost no empirical evidence its now the story that

1. Jessica and here family are below the median income level
2. Jessica wants to go to Uni (what we call university here)
3. It will cost lots cause thats what it costs in USA


A few minor problems apart from the lack of evidence

1. Uni tuition does not have to be paid upfront in Australia for undergraduate courses, there is a government scheme called HECS which pays your costs and then you pay a bit extra back in your income tax as you earn enough, its not a student loan.

2. I have no idea if Jessica wants to go to Uni

3. I have no knowledge as to her families income.

[osirissail]

Factor - It is not the "now the story" - it is a conjecture based on wag's as I clearly stated. That is something the mass media has developed to a fine art. Your assumption and use of that phrase is counter-productive to the discussion.
- - The question is why is she and her family "hell-bent" to do this "now" considering all the advice from others who have done it about the rigors and downright dangerous conditions she will encounter. She is - as reported - up against the end of the reasonable (for the southern ocean) weather window, if not past it. That adds another level of danger to the journey. What do you think her and her family's motivation is?
- - So what are the costs of a good University education in Aussie land? How many kids do go on to advanced education there? It sounds like from your second #1 that university education is "free" in Australia. How much is that "little bit back?" Is a university education in Australia necessary to advance in the business, professional or corporate world there?

[Factor]

Paying for tertiary ed in Australia - Info about HECS scheme

Tertiary ed in Australia - yes it is generally required

But why the hell are we discussing Uni - what has that got to do with her sailing around the world?

[Ocean Girl]

I see where osirissail is try to go. I think the motivation is to give the daughter what she wants, to fulfill her dreams. The father has stated that if he didn't allow her to do this he would (paraphrasing) stunt her emotional growth. I don't follow this same thought pattern to the conclusion of allowing her to go that route. I have seen the ocean in such a state as to render me with terror (and I don't say that lightly). That was in the Atlantic, small potatoes compared to the southern ocean. Also remember, they have stated that the dream is to break the record, sailing RTW is secondary. I even think they added "unassisted" to hang onto the record longer.
erika

[Jace]

This poor girl can't win. If she heads out in heavy winds, she's a foolish child because she doesn't have the wisdom to know when the weather is accommodating. If she waits for calm conditions, she's scared little girl. You guys are funny.

www.joekeck.com

[Ex-Calif]

There is a lot of talk about Jessica's age but is there anywhere to be found a link or summary of her experience?

I have seen a couple of posts that she has offshore expereince but I suspect that is time as crew. What about racing as a kid? Did she win anything? Is she competitive. Whast kind of boats? I know we can then argue about the value of racing as an indicator of off shore success but I would be interested to hear some arguments based on her sailing rsume rather than her birthdate.

So is there a link to a comprehensive sailing resume for her?

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

There is a lot of talk about Jessica's age but is there anywhere to be found a link or summary of her experience?

I have seen a couple of posts that she has offshore expereince but I suspect that is time as crew. What about racing as a kid? Did she win anything? Is she competitive. Whast kind of boats? I know we can then argue about the value of racing as an indicator of off shore success but I would be interested to hear some arguments based on her sailing rsume rather than her birthdate.

So is there a link to a comprehensive sailing resume for her?

Don't know about solo or racing experience, but she sounds better qualified than me, and I've been sailing on and off for 40 years. Per a Sail World article by Nancy Knudsen:

"Jessica has been issued with the following RYA course completion certificates:

RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety course (ISAF SR 6.01) Cat zero
RYA Diesel Engine course
RYA Radar course

YAs issues Certificates of Competence on the advice of accredited YA instructors
Jessica holds YAs Safety and Sea Survival certificate

OMTC issues Certificates of Competence for Apply First Aid HTLF301B
Jessica holds this certificate

Jessica also holds IMO compliant Elementary First Aid Table A VI/1-3 STCW95

She also has the Yachtmaster Ocean theory certificates and about 6000 coastal and 6000 ocean miles experience, has her radio operator’s licence and all of the other required certificates."


Sail-World.com : Jessica Watson blames instruments for bulk carrier collision

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by GordMay

To risk a child’s life, in such a trivial pursuit, seems (to me) to be grossly irresponsible. It violates a parent’s first essential responsibility; which is to protect our child from mortal harm. All other parental responsibilities are subservient to the imperative that we keep them (children) alive. Saying no isn’t necessarily “mean spirited”, and certainly doesn’t denote “bitterness”.

Careful Gord, No voices of reason allowed here... While sailors may weigh in on sailing issues, parents are not permitted to weight in on parenting issues... it's uncool...

>; -}

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by GordMay

To risk a child’s life, in such a trivial pursuit, seems (to me) to be grossly irresponsible. It violates a parent’s first essential responsibility; which is to protect our child from mortal harm. All other parental responsibilities are subservient to the imperative that we keep them (children) alive. Saying no isn’t necessarily “mean spirited”, and certainly doesn’t denote “bitterness”.

So how about kids of much younger ages who participate in motocross racing, or go-kart racing? They also risk death or (IMO even worse) quadraplegia. Should these sports be restricted to over 18's?

A significant number of children are injured and even killed playing sports such as soccer, rugby, gridiron.... there have even been fatalities playing cricket. Should these all be restricted to over 18's too?

Then of course there is swimming, surfing, diving, snow skiing, water skiing, skateboarding, mountain biking, roller skating, ice hockey, trampolining, hang gliding, snorkelling, kite flying, abseiling... the list of dangerous and trivial pursuits is huge.

Ban them all perhaps?

What may seem trivial to you or me, is not necccessarily trivial to the participant.

[sarafina]

Last time I checked children did not participate in the sports mentioned at the highest levels of competition, in the riskiest conditions.

No one is saying ban children or youth from sailing. Quite the contrary. The concerns expressed here by myself and others is that she is attempting a project that appears to be beyond her abilities.

Another issue is proximity to aid and assistance. A minor participating in many of the activities is near others and can receive medical attention in a timely manner. Many of these sports by their very nature are group activities. They are not in remote areas, alone, under risky conditions.

Let me know when some 16 year old participates in the iron man... or solo climbs Everest...

[highseas]

Although in an earlier post I said I thought she was on a suicide mission,(because of her planned route)I feel she is old enough to sail RTW.When I was 16 I basically skippered my dads boat across the Pacific to Hawaii and back to the PNW.I was hooked on sailing and ready to take on the life of world cruising.Because I had yet to finish school, my dream was squashed by my parents.I begged them to let me continue,to no avail.For 30 years I dreamed of getting back on the ocean to complete my dream.The day finally came in 2009,and I am finally pursueing the most important goal of my life.I know I was ready at 16, but not financially able to follow it through.Sail on Jessica,don't listen to the negativity that abounds in this theatre of armchair sailors.

[surfingminniwinni]

Originally Posted by sarafina

Careful Gord, No voices of reason allowed here... While sailors may weigh in on sailing issues, parents are not permitted to weight in on parenting issues... it's uncool...

>; -}

Dear Sara,

I have been away sailing, and I now come back to find that my post about uncool, has been taken seriously. If it was, then I'm very sorry as that was not my intent.(no malice was intended) I was trying to make a point, that your or my parenting skills have little to do with Jessica sailing around the world, yes I have raised 4 kids into adulthood and I would have stopped them from doing what JW is doing if I had a say in it. If you look into JW background she has been raised quite differently from most people's perception of a normal childhood. Its funny but Jessie Martin was raised in a similar fashion to JW.

Now as for voices of reason, do you really think arguments like "its too windy and she is scared to go" or I'm a great or dare I say it "cool" parent have anything to do with reason?

I urge anyone that wants to get an insight to what makes kids like Jessie or Jessica tick, take a look at the Jessie Martin DVD called "Lionheart"

Once again my humble apologies. and I should go sailing again.

Glenn

I'll set my sails when the tide comes in & I'll cast my fate to the wind.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Sail-World.com : Jessica Watson blames instruments for bulk carrier collision

'I considered two independent systems to be significant. I was below for a maximum of ten minutes before the collision. The fact that the systems in place didn’t warn me of the ship has resulted in our team investigating possible electronic faults, whether the alarms were loud enough etc.

Perhaps?

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by highseas

When I was 16 I basically skippered my dads boat across the Pacific to Hawaii and back to the PNW.I was hooked on sailing and ready to take on the life of world cruising.Because I had yet to finish school, my dream was squashed by my parents.I begged them to let me continue,to no avail.For 30 years I dreamed of getting back on the ocean to complete my dream.The day finally came in 2009,and I am finally pursueing the most important goal of my life.I know I was ready at 16, but not financially able to follow it through.

Highseas, so glad you are getting back on the sea Godspeed to your dreams.
Cheers,
Erika