Jessica Watson is attempt to be the youngest person ever to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

Jess is planning to cover 22,000 nautical miles in 240 Days.

Check back here for regular updates on Jessica's progress as she continues on her courageous adventure.

Jess's progress as at 12/11/09

For a quick summary, here are the best bits from her blog...

"I've decided not to think too hard about exactly what left the great big teeth marks,"
(Nov 9)

"...maybe I am going a little crazy out here after all?"
(Nov 9)

"a singlet and sarong have become my uniform for the next while"
(Nov 9)

"The sky and sea are completely black with no way of telling them apart."
(Nov 7)

"...a few small leaks have made themselves known. The leaks aren't at all dangerous..."
(Nov 5)

"...a few people have been commenting about having to watch my figure. Not to worry - I do!"
(Nov 15)

"When I checked my emails this morning I found a very serious email from my clearly worried Mum, telling me to watch out for all those 'boys'"
(Nov 23)

Go to Jessica's blog

Monday, November 23, 2009
Finally a Fish!
"My best guess is that it's a yellow fin tuna, its not huge but I'm sure that there will be plenty for everyone!"

Thursday, November 19, 2009

++ Jess has crossed the equator!

Read more of Jess's latest blog 

"I thought that crossing the line would be just like any other day out here, so I surprised myself a little by getting a bit emotional..."

Wednesday November 18
Shooting Star and Crossing the Line Tomorrow!
"Dinner tonight was the yummiest omelette with powdered eggs, tinned butter, bacon bits and dried parsley." 

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Fish, First Aid, 'Parker' and Bread
With all this talk of food I've noticed that a few people have been commenting about having to watch my figure. Not to worry I do!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Robbed of Dinner!
Exciting news to report today. I pulled the fishing line in to discoverthat I finally caught a fish! I'd love to tell you what it was, how bigit was and how yummy it tasted, only someone (with rather big teeth!)got to it before me.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Slowly But Surely getting to the Equator!
Notmuch in the way of wind today, so I spent the morning hand steering andtacking to make the most of the few little puffs of wind we did get.All covered up from the sun in a big dorky straw hat, sunscreen

Monday, November 9, 2009
Busy Day and Water
...asinglet and sarong have become my uniform for the next while. Sailingin the tropics! ... No fish but the lures are covered in huge big teethmarks, so looks like I've been getting some nibbles!

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Trade Wind Sailing
Really loving the way Ella's been chewing away the miles over the lastfew days. ... I pretty much just spent the day wedged into a comfyposition working away at a book and staying dry..... have just passedover the Tongan Trench one of the deepest places on earth.


Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Slow Day, Communication and Website
Whatto do if you have a cheese craving while out at sea, hundreds ofkilometres from a supermarket. Do you just sit and fantasize about achunk of cambert? No, you call your mum!
Jess answers questionsabout how she communicates -and blogs - realising that technology hasmade her trip much easier than it has been for previous youthfulsailors.

"...My quick casual call about something as unimportant as cheese reallyhighlighted the difference between my voyage and Jesse's. Back when hesailed around the world satellite phone calls were so costly that theywere saved for pretty much only emergencies"



Monday, November 2, 2009
All's Well and a Busy Day
"Beena bit of a busy day and time got away from me so I'll keep today'supdate short. Just wanted to let you know that all's well. ...Lovingevery moment!"
 

Sunday November 1, 8.59am
New food bag, new chart, last orange
Jess reports a few things have come to an end - but also a few new beginnings. There will also be a new map tracking her progress, soon to be launched. She's also got drenched rather unexpectedly.
Jess will no doubt hear about this story of an ambitious 14-year-old who could have stolen her thunder: Dutch sailor banned from round world voyage

"I'm a bit annoyed with myself at the moment after thinking it was calm enough to open a hatch and being quickly shown otherwise by a wave breaking over the deck and pouring right into the cabin..." read more

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Thursday October 29, 2009 10.45am
Night time, little habits and on to the equator
Jess is getting so many comments on her blog she has started to respond to some of the more common queries. First question is What's it like at night?

"...I think most people imagine it to be like a night in the suburbs all quiet and eerie. But it’s not like that at all." read more

Monday October 26, 2009 11.10am
One week down and the shore crew
... Mum (Julie) keeps me up to date with the outside world, forwarding on emails, sending me any news that I might find interesting. She's also the one who packed all the food so when I can't find something she's the one I ring! ... read more

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Tuesday, 20 October 2009 6:21 PM
Moving!
Jess is releived to be covering some kilometres aftera lengthy period of windless seas.

"... was kept busy last night avoiding a bit of shipping andadjusting the Fleming windvane when the wind dropped right out. It wasso quiet and flat..." read more

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Tuesday, 20 October 2009 10:22 AM
"Blues and Pinks"
Today's been a quiet one out here. For a while again this afternoon we werecompletely becalmed again. I expected that it would frustrate me makingso little progress but I really enjoyed the chance just to take it easyand start on a book between tweaking the sails. It's been so long sinceI've had anytime just to take it easy for a while and the freedom wasamazing. No deadlines, nothing to rush off to, I can eat whatever Ilike ... read more

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Monday, 19 October 2009 4:10 PM
Across the Start Line
Wellyesterday was the big day, leaving Sydney and crossing the start line.After a good night sleep, a good breakfast and a last hot shower, thatwas it and I was off to sail around the world! Getting out of theharbour and across the start line was a bit of a feat in itself withspectator boats, helicopters, very little wind and a swell rollingthough. It kept me on my toes but in the end ... read more 

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