By Sid Astbury Jun 28, 2009, 7:29 GMT
Sydney - Jessica Watson has borrowed a boat and lined up sponsors for a solo round-the-world attempt that starts in September from her home on Australia's east coast.
'It's been my dream since I was about 11,' she said. 'I've wanted to do this, and have been planning for it, for years.'
Some wonder whether any 16-year-old is up to the rigours of eight months alone at sea. The Australian Family Association's John Morrissey was aghast when he learned Watson was bidding to become the youngest person to sail round the world alone, unaided and without stopping.
'I'm a secondary teacher and I've been teaching 15 year-old girls for 42 years and I'd be amazed if any of them could cope with something like that,' Morrissey said.
His qualms were echoed in letters to editors that castigated the Watsons for not dousing the dreams of their daughter.
'The kid should be given a clip over the ear, told to get into her room and do her homework, and the parents should be told to get a responsible attitude or they will be taken to task by authorities,' a writer identified only as Phil told the editor of the LiveSailDie sailing website.
At the centre of the storm is a gangly girl who seems perhaps a little too ready with the adventurer's mantra that even crossing the street is risky.
'I was raised on the water. I feel very comfortable and safe there,' Watson said. 'I'll be perfectly happy if I went doing what I loved.'
The impudence of it has some people seething. After the Watsons announced the record attempt on television, a viewer wrote in with the cruel observation that she 'just looked like a naïve 15-year-old with dullard parents, and all of them had no real comprehension of the magnitude of the tasks she wants to undertake.'
Among her defenders is millionaire businessman and adventurer Dick Smith. A sponsor of the record attempt, he said that 'even if something goes wrong, I'll be able to say truthfully that my money went to improving safety and reducing risk.'
Smith insists that 'compared to the number of young Australians we lose in car crashes and drug abuse, adventuring around the world in a yacht is far less risky and far more inspiring.'
Adventurer Don McIntyre, who is lending the boat, also rages against a risk-averse culture he says is swamping the can-do spirit.
'We can't afford to over-protect our kids,' he said. 'They need to find themselves, challenge the natural world, and understand what it is to minimize risk and make good decisions.'
Roger Watson, Jessica's father, said insurance had been taken out to pay for any compensation claim a rescue might throw up.
He bridles at the notion that reflected glory has any part in the record attempt. 'I know all parents say that their child can do this and do that,' he said, 'but, I mean, we believe she's it - she's the person who can do it.'
Mike Hanning, from sponsor TracPlus Global Ltd, said the tracking equipment his company was donating would benefit Jessica and her family and friends regardless of whether she set a record.
'Jessie is a remarkable young woman who has planned her round-the-world attempt with absolute professionalism,' he said.
The Watsons are working full-time on the project. The 10-metre boat is undergoing a complete refit and no expense is being spared.
'There's no doubt I'll have every means available to achieve my goal,' Watson said. 'I couldn't have got to where I am without the incredible support of so many people and suppliers.'
Come September, this home-schooled girl will be on her own for the first time in her life. It's a prospect that unsettles some people.
'Horrifying thought,' a blogger called Nikki told the LiveSailDie website. 'Hope someone steps in and offers her a companion to look after her.'
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