Winds on the nose and a current against us for the last few days has made for pretty painful progress, we're only just getting close to Kiritimati (Christmas) Island now. All going to plan we should be around and clear by the morning, it'll be a relief to have a bit of sea room and to be making progress south again.
Kiritimati Island sounds pretty interesting so I've added it to the list places to stop off at next time! Apparently it's the world's largest atoll and thanks to a few random changes in direction by the date line its also the worlds eastern most country. From what I've read it sounds pretty picture perfect with white sandy beaches and coral lagoons but don't worry I'm not too tempted to stop, in fact I'll be lucky if I can even see a distant glow of lights as I pass by tonight. Oh and its said to be a good spot for fishing!
We passed a boat (three actually!) for the first time in over a week yesterday, they were big fishing boats but didn't appear to speak English. I also got a bit of a fright yesterday, I was sitting down below at the nav station and heard the horrible nose of something rubbing down the hull, I
climbed outside in time to see a big brown buoy caught up in the windvane, luckily it freed itself before I could do anything and there wasn't any damage. I spotted a few more buoys during the day but have no idea what exactly they are and what they're doing just bobbing about out here?
Plenty of clear and starry nights lately and I've been seeing plenty of them because even thought it seems to have cooled down a little lately it's still much easier to get anything done after the sunsets. I was a little jealous to hear that everyone back home was heading out to the movies last night so I had my own movie night watching a DVD on my Toughbook and making up some
popcorn!
Still plenty of tropical sailing to go yet but I'm already thinking more and more about the south and Cape Horn.
That's going to have to be it from me because its time to go tack over again, fingers crossed this should be the last one to get us round the island!
Jesse
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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Hi Jess,
You go girl.
Smooth sailing God is with you:)
Alice, Kenya
good luck jess be careful of the boat people lol ian
Hi Jess,
Congrats on the progress, even thou you might be going slow now, by the time you get down to the roaring 40's you'll be hooning along. Now apparently, there is a north pacific ocean gyre that is filled with all sorts or rubbish. I know you wont be close to it but that could be interesting on a later voyage!!
I hope the fishing picks up a bit for you, it will be funny if you can do all those miles and just catch some teeth. :)
Keep up the good work
John (Macedon, Vic)
Thanks Jess,
We missed you last night.
Tim and Rosie
Caboolture
Jesse
You were only supposed to be in the Northern Hemisphere for a short time.
Get back south lady !! There is just too much going on in the North Pacific.
Love your determination. Wish I was that good at 16.
Just you and me (plus another 100, 000).
Now about that fish !!
Sail safe
Best Regards
Allen,Hervey Bay, Qld, AU
Congratulions Jess
Read your blog everyday and are thrilled to see you fulfilling your dream.
You will pass lots of tempting places along the way - but the best place for you to step asshore will be Sydney in just a few months time...
Praying for you daily.
Fred Ipswich Qld
Jessica,
Been waiting for the GPS thracker to see it head south. One step at a time my friend. Great job...
BTW, Your current You Tube video you posted are great.
Thanks and as always stay safe..
fr@ncis
Must be a weird feeling to cross to sail from tonight into yesterday morning, as you cross the International Dateline ! Woo!!! Go Jess - you're ace! MARC.
Thanks, Jessica.
Still a while till you clear the tropical heat.
All the best for the journey
south. Luv u.
Richard (QLD)
I have been reading since the beginning and as time goes by, I am becoming more concerned about the portion of the voyage on the eastern side of Africa and the pirates that operate in that area surrounding Somalia. The pirates have been operating increasingly farther from the coast. Is this really a concern to you and your team? What strategies do you and your team have? Are there any other areas that present a danger similar to this? Good luck to you!
Bryn - please, no pressure on Jessica. Maybe she forgot Saturday, maybe not - she is out there on the open sea. Blog when you can Jess, no pressure on you. Concentrate on the job you are doing. Most importantly, be safe.
hey jesse
you rock!!!!
Jessica,
Waited late to hear from you today. Its 2:20am Los Angeles Time. its always worth it though. BTW, Enjoyed the videos sou posted recenty. Not a lot of Islands to see heading south Just be patient...
Got to get some Zzzzz now.
Be safe,
fr@ncis
Hey Jess,
Good Job, the weather doesn't sound too good though.
I watched you on the 7 pm project it was cool to actually see you.
Thanks for another great post.
Saraya :-)
G'day Jess.
I have been reading all your blogs since you have left Australia. I sit here at the computer waiting to hear from you each day and learn what is happening out in that wonderful ocean :) Keep it going jess :)Love to hear from you over the next few days and what you have been getting up to. Bonnie, Melbourne xox
Hi Jesse,
Good to hear you are still making forward progress even if it is hard work. Watch out for that line on the way back! At least this time you won't have to throw any choclates overboard to Neptune.
In your earlier blog you mention how many sails you have on board. how often do you have to change sails? I can't imagine they would all be spares.
Great to hear all's going well.
All the best
John
Stars are lovely.
You are one tough lady to do this alone. For me i think i will not be able to take the loneliness and darkness.
Can your team publish a map and route so that we know where you are right now and where you are heading.
lol Kingston
Love following your journey and reading about your progress, good luck - sounds like an awesome adventure. Wish I could go fishing a Kiritimati!
G'day Jess,
Thanks for the blogs, i look forward to the updates every day. Good luck and stay safe, your an inspiration to many.
Age,
Melbourne.
Awesome Jesse,
love hearing of your adventure as it unfolds. Fantastic. May the winds stay fair.
much peace and encouragement
Scott from byron
am so proud of you and continue the great blogs for all of us!!! What an AWESOME FEELING FOR YOU!!!! Am continuing the prayers as well as many others!
Good to hear you are nearly around Kiritimati Island (whigh i googled today for interest). Time to try your fishing hand again by the sounds of it. Safe sailing.
Larry.Ayr.Australia.
Thanks for all your blogging, just love all the new posts, it seems like we are all with you.
Stay safe, fingers crossed for some good sailing weather.
Hi Jesse,
Surely boredom is you worst enemy. Routine to make the days tick over.
It's funny how, when we see something beautiful every day, we don't see it any more.
When we live with someone who is beautiful to look at and has a soul to match we start to take that person for granted.
You are in the most beautiful place on Earth, doing the most amazing thing. We will not take you for granted at any time during your voyage. Don't underestimate yourself or where you are.
Just start doing some decent fishing.
Safe winds.
June and Richard Thorn
Good Morning Trusty!
Not sure what time it is for you, it's early morning where I am.
Question, doesn't your radar system detect the buoys?
Glad to hear you are rounding the island.
The map shows it as "Kiribati", there must be several ways to spell it.
Looking forward to hearing about your first catch.
Do you have some tartar sauce stowed in your tidy little galley?
Continued blessings and prayers for your safety coming from me,
Molly
Maryland USA
Hi Jesse,
You might get your dream of that sushi before too long!! Keep that fishing line in the water.
I'm pleased to hear that the buoy didn't do any damage. I wonder the same, why are those buoys floating around out there??? Do you think they could be anything to do with the ships you have seen? Can you speak to the people on the ships if you want to? As you have said before you prefer to have the sea to yourself. I think I would feel the same way Jesse if I were out there.
Great to hear that you gave yourself a little taste of homely comforts and had a movie evening with POPCORN. I hope it was a good movie :-) .
I sent a blog to your sister Hannah. I noticed that she has a few blogs from people that are also watching your progress. She has very cute guinea pigs.
Just remember that if we have to wait an extra day for a blog because you are too busy that's okay. We know that you have so much to do especially navigating around Kirimati Island.
Keep safe and have a lovely day.
Jan (Auckland, New Zealand)
Hey Jess. Good to read your blog. I checked last night and none so assumed you were busy. Wind on the nose and current wouldve been hard going - goon on you, around Christmas island tonight - hope you see the lights of the island. Yeah watch those buoys and debris from fishing boats. Keep checking your gear for wear, especially the winches... You are going great !! WOHOO. The australian idol final is on tonight, will let you know the winner tomorrow night. Enjoy the warm weather, and remember that if you ever do feel alone, you arnt, as theres thousands of us all around the world eagerly waiting your latest update. We are with you all the way and thinking of you often. Fair winds and have a happy day tomorrow. PS some more photos would be nice if you get a chance....You may even catch a fish tonight too !!! Cheers Carole.
Hi Jessica,
Good to have you back with a new report. I have read it for my mother and I showed her on the Globe where you are.
I guess that the buoys belong to the fishing boats. Sorry that you couldn't speak to them.
I do hope that you will get something on your line in these waters.
You describe the Kiritimati Island so well and I'm sure a holiday there should be nice.
Here was it sunny all day yesterday but today back to the grey again.
Good luck rounding the island.
Safe sailing.
Regards
Ingrid, Tyreso, Sweden
Heyya Jess,
I'm having a vicarious adventure and thrill of my own just to be able to follow your journey through your blog. So I've been eyeballing Kiritimati through Google Earth and reading about it on Wikipedia. I don't know if I would have ever been aware of it without your journey, so thank you for including us all in your experience by keeping this log.
But I'm starting to think that this list of places you are making is going to end up being a long one: going around the world only to discover that you need to go around the world again! I suspect that after this journey, you'll be happy to leave "non-stop" out of your vocabulary and your plans forever after. :-)
Mike in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Hi Jess,
So good to see you blog again. I know you are one busy girl out there, so just blog when you can. Good to see you are keeping a list of places to re-visit. Watch out for those bouys, wonder what they are doing there.
Proud of you, young lady.
Take care and stay safe.
Sue
Hi Jessica
Keep going girl, but watch out for those stupid bouys. I too am a little concerned about the east coast of Africa and the Somali area. It would be awesome if an Australian Navy boat could accompany you all the way through this dangerous area. Hopefully your support team have a well thought out contingency plan. In the meantime Jess, enjoy and keep going.
Hi Jess
You can watch as many movies and DVDs as you like when you return so don't think you are missing out, enjoy your starry nights. The New Zealander Stan Walker won Australian Idol tonight, thought you might enjoy hearing that news. There were fireworks at the Opera House tonight.
Sydney
Christmas Island before Thanksgiving?
Now THAT'S making good time! ;)
Hi Jess,
Great blog as usual, some slower progress made a little easier with a movie and popcorn! You and your team have thought of everything. We recently crossed three Australian deserts and I will never forget the stars at night, I often think of you at night and the specticle you witness.
Keep blogging only when you have time Jess and when it suits you, we all know you are not out there for our entertainment.
You are doing SOOOO well,
Bluefin, Buderim, Qld.
Hi Jesse
I am wondering if you really like the taste of fish and thats why the fish are not biting. Lol.
A little news from this neck of the woods. Had two mini tornadoes hit the Bendigo area causing damage to a house near where I live.A tree came through the roof of one of the houses. We went from heat wave to the local creek flooding with local thunderstorms deluging us with one almighty dump of rain. The smell of fresh rain was divine after dust heat and more heat.
Enjoy your run down from Christmas island to the equator.(Dont want to frighten you pet but keep an eye on those foreign fishing boats they may be illegals)I know your guardian angel and mine is looking after you.
Take care
Love and hugs
Evie
Hey Jess good to hear from you. Thanks for not posting on Saturday. We took the boat across to Rottnest and slept with the sea anchor on the beach and one out the front. Wondered how you were getting on and thought of you as we crossed the ocean to the island.
Nice to see your post is now up. We must be like neurotic parents all checking on you everyday and getting worried when you don't post a comment. But remember it is all good. You have lots to do keeping EPL going everyday.
Take care xx
The Griffs of Hillarys Perth WA.
I'd be on my way as quick as you like from Christmas Island; I had a friend who was made to watch the atomic mushroom cloud when the Brits tested the bomb and despite it's beauty it has a terrible history of mans wasted intelligence too
Hi Jess
Thanks for another great blog.
Congrats on your further progress. Wishing you smooth sailing as you make your way around Kiritimati Island and start to head back down south again. The island certainly sounds beautiful from your description, once again another lesson from the school of Miss Jess. I had heard of the island prior to following your journey.
What plans or strategies are thinking about to tackle your journey down south and Cape Horn?
Hmmmm...So you've answered another question that I had ticking in my mind, did you take DVD's to watch. The seating in 'your' picture theatre is somewhat more spectacular and more comfortable than our local movie theatre!! Hope you enjoyed the movie Jess!
It's been a scorching hot day in Sydney today. I believe it hit over 40 degrees, so we hid in air conditioning.
Take care Jess & Stay safe!
We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sally In Sydney
Wow! Congratulations - you are doing so well!
Kiritimati Island does sound so beautiful - I think I'll add that to my list of 'must see places' too!
Best of luck on your amazing adventure :-)
Cheers, Dragonfly - Brisbane
G'day Jess
Missed you yesterday thought you might be catching boxes of fish. Hurry up and get the nose pointed south where you belong. Watch out for naughty buoys.
Your going great Jess,
Brian
woo hoo Jess, you're amazing.
Hey Jess,
movie night sounds perfect. nice to see you're able to do nice things like that once in a while. stay strong girlfriend.
L from Sydney
Hi Jess, thanks for keeping us updated on your days at sea. The time must be passing quickly for you as there must be so many different things you need to do, I can't begin to imagine. I'm sure you get some time to relax though and thats wonderful, maybe Silly might even pay you a return visit lol... Keep up the good work Jess, we're all proud of you. Take care 'til next time.
Jo
Sydney
It’s a great maritime tradition for the captain to write a daily log, and you are doing the tradition proud. When you miss a day, especially around Christmas Island with its Bay of Wrecks, I get worried. I know I shouldn’t because you are so well prepared that we can trust you. Our prayers are with you, Helmut
Hi Jessica
I'm so glad that you are safe & sound.
What are you eating?
I have made some friends around the world due to you!
Ta
CU
Sarge
Hi Jesse I've been away and without computer access abd missed you crossing the Equator! Congratulations on getting that ticked off. Looking forward to you turning around and heading South. Take care xx
Hi Jesse, that Buoy ould have given you a sick feeling in the tum when you heard it, poor kid, but no damage and you are ok, great news, so you head south tomorrow? safe sailing Captain Jesse take care, love you, Roger and Lou Dwyer
Jessica, as painful as the slow progress is right now I'm sure when you are dead tired sailing through the roaring twenties you will wish for one of these slow days again. The main thing is you are making progress.
Love reading your blogs everyday. Keep up the positive attitude and all will be fine. God bless. duane
even the 'heroes' who surf huge waves pick their moments, places and even waves. You're out there riding the lot and i'm sure there's big ones coming your way. I'm sure also your quiet courage hides a steely resolve and razor sharp mind wurring away despite all the frivoloty...preparing for exactly that - and sure hope you come through it all like the other (legendary) "Jess" from Down Under. You are surely in good hands but like others have said, keep a wide birth from pirate-infested regions. Youre an inspiration - in Pearl Jam's words who played here this week- 'Given to Fly': "Arms wide open with the sea as his floor.
Oh, power, oh. He's flying whole. High, wide, oh".
staysafe. Latesailor, Adelaide
Dear jess,
So, this took me a few days, but I’m finally done. I went through all your blog postings and put together this list of where your fans are from. I have to say, I’m really amazed at the effect you have had on so many people throughout the world.
From Alaska, Austria and Borneo to Venezuela, Wollongong and Yuba City and every place in between. I’m sure I missed a few, but you get the idea!
You are an inspiration to more people than you can imagine.
Go well. Be well. Be safe. I am with you until you’re home safe again.
Andrew
Richmond, VA
North Stonington Connecticut, Bulgaria, Rome, Sippy Downs QLD, Phoenix Arizona, Ontario Canada, Annapolis Maryland, Perth, Sydney, Miami, Pittsburgh, Stockholm Sweden, New York City New York, Atlanta Georgia, Seattle, Boston, South Wales UK, Napa Valley California, Tucson Arizona, Nebraska, Melbourne, Washington DC, Auckland New Zealand, Cairns QLD, Dubbo NSW, Portland Maine, Caloundra, Mooloolaba QLD, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Brisbane, Venezuela, St. John US Virgin Islands, Kingwood West Virginia, Denmark, Capetown South Africa, Houston, Czech Republic, Savannah Georgia, Albuquerque New Mexico, Darwin NT, Fiji Islands, Richmond Virginia, San Diego California, Fort Worth Texas, Caves Beach Newcastle NSW, Stavanger Norway, Yuba City California, Waikato, Bulgaria, Los Angeles, Ingleburn NSW, Columbus Ohio, Toronto, Hampstead New Hampshire, Calgary, Kaneohe Hawaii, Exmouth Washington, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Salt Lake City Utah, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Wynnum, Ingleburn NSW, Bundaberg QLD, Cornwall England, Bay of Quinte Canada, Tunisia, Gladstone QLD, Sunny Coast QLD, Kingaroy QLD, Nowra NSW, Fukuoka Japan, Wollongong NSW, Sunol California, Tyreso Sweden, Columbia Missouri, Summerfield North Carolina, Tirol Austria, Freemantle, Dallas Texas, Wilmington North Carolina, Ingleburn NSW, Dusseldorf Germany, Ulladulla Harbour NSW, Szeged Hungary, Rotterdam, Caboolture QLD, Exmouth Washington, Virginia Beach Virginia, Coomera QLD, Tennessee, Adelaide, Ecuador, Iceland, Szeged Hungary, Blackbutt QLD, Hervey Bay, Moonambel Victoria, Golden Bay Washington, Western Australia, Munich Germany, Barcelona Spain, Hobart Tasmania, San Francisco, Raleigh North Carolina, New Jersey, Gold Coast, Axedale Victoria, Argentina, Singapore, Nelson New Zealand, Bateau Bay, Queanbeyan NSW, Gladstone QLD, Anna Bay NSW, Darwin NT, San Antonio Texas, Carrum Downs VIC, Mornington Peninsula Victoria, Papua New Guinea, Bridgewater Tasmania, Indiana, Dandenong VIC, Finland, Byron Bay NSW, Atlantic City New Jersey, Deception Bay QLD, Castro Valley California, Vermont, Canberra ACT, Louisville Kentucky, Plymouth UK, Warwick QLD, Berlin Delaware, Rochester Minnesota, Decatur Alabama, Bend Oregon, Carson City Nevada, Amsterdam Holland, London, Rome Italy, Carbrook QLD, Ulladulla Harbor NSW, Milford Connecticut, Malta, Birmingham Alabama, Manchester Massachusetts, Buffalo New York, Downingtown Pennsylvania, Kings Mountain North Carolina, Lakeland Florida, Mornington Peninsula Victoria, Tontitown Arkansas, Bray Park QLD, Denver Colorado, Tura Beach, Maroochydore QLD, Redbank Plains QLD, Port Huron Holland Michigan, Dubai United Arab Emirates, North Island New Zealand, Sweet Home Oregon, The “Jersey Shore” New Jersey, Marsden QLD, Coffs Harbour NSW, Bathurst NSW, Gosford NSW, Switzerland, Matamata NZ, Bruxelles Belgium, Lapland Sweden, Quebec, Burleigh Waters QLD, Cedar Grove QLD, Cleveland Ohio, Kalgoorlie WA, Hamburg Germany, Crema Italy, Amityville New York, Poquoson Virginia, Goteborg Sweden, Dover Delware, Chiangrai Thailand, Washington DC, Austin Texas, Maricopa Arizona, Magnolia Springs Alabama, Larchmont New York, Centreville Virginia, Merredin WA, Newport Beach California, Oviedo Florida, Ayuthaya Thailand, Smithtown New York, Slovenia, British Columbia, Tampa Florida, Hilton Head Island South Carolina, Memphis Tennessee, Söderlund Sweden
since there's a limit on how long a post can be, i had to break this in two!!
Thunder Bay Ontario, Penang Malaysia, Murcia Spain, Avon Indiana, Mexico City Mexico, Watertown New York, Appleton Wisconsin, Landsborough QLD, Daytona Florida, Rockport Texas, Ashland Oregon, Martinsburg West Virginia, Jandowae QLD, Chile, Waterloo Ontario, Pine Mt QLD, St. Louis Missouri, Wellesley Massachusetts, Biddeford Maine, Stowe Vermont, Burketown QLD, Baulkham Hills NSW, India, Kingdom of Jordan, Newburgh Indiana, Newport Rhode Island, New Orleans Louisiana, Outer Banks North Carolina, Noosa QLD, Lismore NSW, Corona California, Tea Gardens NSW, Airlie Beach QLD, Wooroloo WA, Chicago Illinois, Shorncliffe England, Luxembourg, Staplehurst Kent, Byron Bay Calgary, Tauranga NZ, Wallerawang NSW, Buderim QLD, Poland, Toowoomba QLD, Port Macquarie NSW, South Korea, Casino NSW, Mosman NSW, Israel, Gold Coast QLD, Manila Phillipines, Geelong VIC, Sunshine Coast QLD, Bannockburn VIC, Coolum Beach QLD, Dunolly VIC, Linton VIC, Gippsland VIC, Oporto Portugal, Rosebud VIC, Midland Michigan, Istanbul Turkey, Mackay QLD, Greenville Indiana, Mobile Alabama, Hickory North Carolina, Bella Vista Arkansas, Paris France, Two Rivers Wisconsin, Locust Grove Virginia, San Mateo California, Preston United Kingdom, Montana, Oslo Norway, Milan Italy, Mississauga Canada, San Jose California, Luck Wisconsin, Tokyo Japan, Arvada Colorado, Longport New Jersey, Chile, Largo Florida, Williamstown VIC, Detroit Michigan, Hobartville NSW, Peregian Beach South Carolina, China, Cleveland Yacht Club QLD, Taiwan, Qahtani Saudi Arabia, Bxtehude Germany, Council Bluffs Iowa, Cologne Germany, Beaverton Oregon, St. Claire Shore Michigan, Yowie Bay NSW, Rosemount QLD, Richardson Texas, Te Aroha NZ, Nha Trang Vietnam, Yeppoon QLD, Currumbin QLD, Victor Harbor SA, Broken Arrow Oklahoma, Portland VIC, Dunedin NZ, Cyprus, Bristol UK, Waikato NZ, Latvia, Brunei Darussalam Borneo, Kelowna BC Canada, Ayr North Coast QLD,
Cincinnati Ohio, Ringwood VIC, Alpharetta Georgia, South Padre Island Texas, Uppsala Sweden, Yuki Japan, Muscatine Iowa, Foxground NSW, Murrumba Downs QLD, Baker Florida, Bathurst NSW, Alaska, Réunion Island, Palmerston North New Zealand, Nambucca Heads NSW, Bribie Island QLD, Bloomington Indiana, Jervis Bay NSW, St Andrews NSW, Mt. Gambier SA, Lansing Kansas, Plymouth Massachusetts, Pakistan, Buxton Maine, Rosemeadow NSW, Wagga Wagga NSW, Gatton SE Qld, Taylor Texas, Scottsdale Arizona, Pyrmont NSW, Singleton NSW, Coffs Harbor NSW, Linds NZ, Bray Park QLD, Frankston VIC, Beaudesert QLD, Sacramento California, Romania, Key West Florida, Lowell Michigan, Kogarah NSW, Margaret River WA, Campbell NSW, Wellington NZ, Puerto Rico, Bum’s Bay QLD, Ft Lauderdale Florida, South Dakota, Macedon VIC, Shelbyville Michigan, Elk Grove California, Westernport Bay VIC, Plano Texas, Hailey Idaho, Cleveland QLD, Hyden WA, Kiel Germany, New Gisborne VIC, Eton QLD, Gympie QLD, Sunbury VIC, Sterling Virginia, Mt. Martha VIC, Serina QLD, Yenda NSW, Bulgaria, UmeÃ¥ Sweden, Volker WA, Kangaroo Ground VIC
WOW!!!
since there's a limit on how long a post can be, i had to break this in two!
Thunder Bay Ontario, Penang Malaysia, Murcia Spain, Avon Indiana, Mexico City Mexico, Watertown New York, Appleton Wisconsin, Landsborough QLD, Daytona Florida, Rockport Texas, Ashland Oregon, Martinsburg West Virginia, Jandowae QLD, Chile, Waterloo Ontario, Pine Mt QLD, St. Louis Missouri, Wellesley Massachusetts, Biddeford Maine, Stowe Vermont, Burketown QLD, Baulkham Hills NSW, India, Kingdom of Jordan, Newburgh Indiana, Newport Rhode Island, New Orleans Louisiana, Outer Banks North Carolina, Noosa QLD, Lismore NSW, Corona California, Tea Gardens NSW, Airlie Beach QLD, Wooroloo WA, Chicago Illinois, Shorncliffe England, Luxembourg, Staplehurst Kent, Byron Bay Calgary, Tauranga NZ, Wallerawang NSW, Buderim QLD, Poland, Toowoomba QLD, Port Macquarie NSW, South Korea, Casino NSW, Mosman NSW, Israel, Gold Coast QLD, Manila Phillipines, Geelong VIC, Sunshine Coast QLD, Bannockburn VIC, Coolum Beach QLD, Dunolly VIC, Linton VIC, Gippsland VIC, Oporto Portugal, Rosebud VIC, Midland Michigan, Istanbul Turkey, Mackay QLD, Greenville Indiana, Mobile Alabama, Hickory North Carolina, Bella Vista Arkansas, Paris France, Two Rivers Wisconsin, Locust Grove Virginia, San Mateo California, Preston United Kingdom, Montana, Oslo Norway, Milan Italy, Mississauga Canada, San Jose California, Luck Wisconsin, Tokyo Japan, Arvada Colorado, Longport New Jersey, Chile, Largo Florida, Williamstown VIC, Detroit Michigan, Hobartville NSW, Peregian Beach South Carolina, China, Cleveland Yacht Club QLD, Taiwan, Qahtani Saudi Arabia, Bxtehude Germany, Council Bluffs Iowa, Cologne Germany, Beaverton Oregon, St. Claire Shore Michigan, Yowie Bay NSW, Rosemount QLD, Richardson Texas, Te Aroha NZ, Nha Trang Vietnam, Yeppoon QLD, Currumbin QLD, Victor Harbor SA, Broken Arrow Oklahoma, Portland VIC, Dunedin NZ, Cyprus, Bristol UK, Waikato NZ, Latvia, Brunei Darussalam Borneo, Kelowna BC Canada, Ayr North Coast QLD,
Cincinnati Ohio, Ringwood VIC, Alpharetta Georgia, South Padre Island Texas, Uppsala Sweden, Yuki Japan, Muscatine Iowa, Foxground NSW, Murrumba Downs QLD, Baker Florida, Bathurst NSW, Alaska, Réunion Island, Palmerston North New Zealand, Nambucca Heads NSW, Bribie Island QLD, Bloomington Indiana, Jervis Bay NSW, St Andrews NSW, Mt. Gambier SA, Lansing Kansas, Plymouth Massachusetts, Pakistan, Buxton Maine, Rosemeadow NSW, Wagga Wagga NSW, Gatton SE Qld, Taylor Texas, Scottsdale Arizona, Pyrmont NSW, Singleton NSW, Coffs Harbor NSW, Linds NZ, Bray Park QLD, Frankston VIC, Beaudesert QLD, Sacramento California, Romania, Key West Florida, Lowell Michigan, Kogarah NSW, Margaret River WA, Campbell NSW, Wellington NZ, Puerto Rico, Bum’s Bay QLD, Ft Lauderdale Florida, South Dakota, Macedon VIC, Shelbyville Michigan, Elk Grove California, Westernport Bay VIC, Plano Texas, Hailey Idaho, Cleveland QLD, Hyden WA, Kiel Germany, New Gisborne VIC, Eton QLD, Gympie QLD, Sunbury VIC, Sterling Virginia, Mt. Martha VIC, Serina QLD, Yenda NSW, Bulgaria, UmeÃ¥ Sweden, Volker WA, Kangaroo Ground VIC
WOW!!
Hi Jessica,
Gee, you cross that line and suddenly the wind and the current is against you. King neptune mustn't be too partial to chocolate.
I see you've already been updated by your Kiwi mates about the Australian Idol winner. Cripes! His family and friends even did a Haka for him, lol.
The Blog family are even giving you a bit of stick for missing a day I notice, lol. The sailing fraternity are mainly anal retentives I reckon, everything has to be routine for them, lol.
Great to hear you'll be heading south soon.
Those Buoys could be Tsunami, surf, reef or memorials to WW11 so best off for me to say a prayer of thanks for your safe Journey and scoot off.
Hi Jessica
I was happy to hear from today and that all is going ok, wind direction could be more kind. When you round Kiritimati Island hopefully the winds will be better. Going by passageweather you should have a light easterly wind for a few days and then into a moderate easterly wind a day or 2 south of the island. I'm sure you know all this anyway.
The 3 fishing boats are most likely why you haven't caught any fish, those buoys could be long line markers, they normally have flags on the buoys,were they attached to anything or were they floating free. These types of fishing lines can be up to 50 to 60 klms long and take a massive toll on the fish stocks, it does get under my skin this type of fishing but they will never learn.I will get off my soapbox now.
By the way I own the local video/ DVD store here in Exmouth, I will get a plane out to you and air drop some DVD's for you, what movies do you like?
By what you have got around you, I don't think you need to watch to many movies.
So sit back and enjoy the stars and the moon getting bigger, keep having fun and keep safe.
Cheers George Simmons
Lots of love from Exmouth WA
Hi sailoress Jess, great to see you about to commence the next leg of your journey down to Cape Horn, looks like you'll be there around Jan.20th, I guess you have to go down to around 57 degrees south before you move north again on your way to the cape of Good Hope, anyway a lot of talk about the roaring forties and wild seas down there, a friend of mine in Chile was telling me that at that time of year we are just a few degrees past the Solstice and with about 18 hours of light a day that far south and the seas could actually be quite smooth, anyway reading your blogs seems you have no fear, you just expect all will be well knowing you will succeed ,(which is a fantastic attitude) I guess really in a way you would like a challenge of some decent waves.
Keep Safe Jessica, you are so amazing, fair winds and safe seas.
Hi Jess, (Cherie here from Caloundra)Just finished watching Australian Ideal, (STAN THE MAN!!!)and me and my mums thoughts went immediately to you. Just wanted to let you that we are so proud of you girl. Our thoughts and prays are with you. We believe there are many Angles surrounding you, protecting you and guiding you. Feel their love and white light blessing you. KEEP STRONG. WE LOVE U
Hi Jess
Congrats on your progress, blog when can hon your job out there is more important together with your safety..
Cat
Gold Coast
Very happy to read that you're still going well. I can understand that you prefer working at night. The weather man was talking today about our climate and said that this year's temperatures have increased by two degrees at the Equator. We're heating up. There'll be tropical vegetation at Tierra del Fuego by the time you pass by if this keeps up.
There must be other ways to meet a boy! You didn't have to give him a nudge with your boat. LOL
Cheers and bset wishes!
Ian from Brisbane
If Silly comes back you can ask him about the buoy (boy--get it?--heh heh)
happy sailing.
dugie
caloundra
Good luck Jess! :-) Glad to hear everything is going well, watch out for the buoys lol
GO ON Jess...You rock...
Argiris,Greece
Jess,
It's a hoot reading your blog and tracking your progress every day! I feel like your Dad watching over you every morning!
Jeff Lang
Dallas, Texas USA
Hey Jesse
What didnt you think to remember to keep your trip a filling one.....watching dvd's.....lol....your not missing out on anything are you.
Thats great....Smile
Almost time to head south and start on that next big mile stone...
Will be a while yet til you round the bottom of Patagonia and Ushuaia... I spent a few days there before heading down to Antarctica....pop that one on your list of places to visit one day...its a great little town...very interesting way of life and a great stepping stone before heading south....But as i said....thats a little way off yet...so enjoy the open seas as you start to head south. Im expecting you to have a short visit from Silly as you start to head back, so keep an eye out for him....see if you can catch him a treat....oh and yourself as well....maybe he might catch you a treat....lol.
Anyway...have a great night and we will catch you on the other side of Christmas Island....smile
Deb and the guineash
Hi Jessica
Good to hear you are making some progress, even if it is a frustrating on-the-wind slog to your turning point around the island. Presumably you will be beam-reaching when you turn southwards and then your pace will quicken. Look forward to that and it will be worth the wait.
For what it is worth, the buoys sound like fishing markers of some sort and you may have been lucky to have only hooked one up around your windvane. It could have been messy if you hooked it on your keel, propeller or rudder!
Keep thinking and planning positively – but not too far ahead – and concentrate on your hourly and daily activities. While you are still sailing into the wind you have to stay synchronized with the rhythm of Ella’s upwind dancing. When you turn you will have to get used to another rhythm. Hopefully it will be more enjoyable. You know what I mean.
I hope you reach your turning point soon. In the meantime stay alert and watch DVD’s under the stars at Ella’s Drive-In if you can.
Tony L (Mt Martha)
Hey Jesse,
it sounds like if you're gonna get that fish it maybe around there.
Fingers crossed and good luck.
One would think with all that ocean it would be all plain sailing out there, but I guess containers would be another problem as well...be careful.
So now it's around Kiribati and due south towards the "roaring forties". Enjoy the tropics while you're up there and hope you have clear ocean waters to the bottom of South America.
Let's hope that wind picks up soon too. Maybe some Kiribati locals can start waving sheets and blankets to help ya...uh oh!..no outside influences:)
Keep it goin Jesse, you're doing great. Take care out there.
Ben (Qld)
Hi, Jess, what a journey you are on and us with you as we read your blog every day. Glad the buoy freed itself without you having to take any chances. Keep safe.
David Indiana
Hey Jess,
Did you hear that another great Australian achieved a Herculean feat this week? By crawling the 96km of the Kokoda Track in PNG?
Kurt Fearnley was born without a lower spine, but non-functioning legs haven’t stopped him from enjoying a great life, or winning international marathons in a wheelchair… but it sure takes enormous courage.
It shows what we are all capable of within our ‘normal’ lives, and is inspirational. As are you Jesse!
By the time you read this you should be travelling south, with another milestone under your and EPL's belt, that being the Line Islands. More importantly 1° 52' N... which is well and truely in the Northern Hemisphere… Woo Hoo, bring on South America.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!
Roy,
Gold Coast QLD.
Excellent writing! Hays family wants to go to Christmas Island now. Our son was born last year on Christmas Eve, and we have been making a list of places to take him when he is older...Christmas mountains in Texas, Christmas Island now...and of course one day Bethlehem! Go Go!
Hi Jessica,
Beginning a few days after you set sail, I began reading up on Kiribati Island (Christmas Island) and it in indeed a lovely place. There is so much information available in cyberspace.
Now the long run begins to the Horn. I've also begun to study that and it appears that weather conditions can be purely the luck of the draw. One day simply dismal and treacherous and other days a delight.
I read an interesting post on a sailing message board, complete with photos to prove it, of one chap who said it was like a mill pond the day he rounded and the smoothest sailing he had experienced. Who would have thought that?
You are circumnavigating the world in a sailboat and yesterday I circumnavigated a huge pile of fallen leaves as it is now late fall here. Your circumnavigation seems more interesting than mine. But then again, I am sure there will be days that you would like to jump into a pile of leaves.
To others, give Jessica a break and don't fret so much if she happens to skip a day on posting a blog. When she has interesting information for us she will post it. There is no requirement that she post every day.
Safe sailing and Godspeed Jessica.
Georgia Guy
USA
High five on the round, now South Ms Watson, SOUTH !
David
ps. Don't feel the weight of the blog, feel the wind in your face
Hi Jess,
I looked closely at the Kiribati Atoll via Google Earth and it has a sealed runway approximately 3000m long which means a widebody passenger jet can land there. Quite interesting given how remote it is.
Looking forward to your daily blog as you round Kiribati for the southern ocean and Cape Horn. Any ETA's for Cape Horn at this stage?
Stay safe
Jonathan
Melbourne
Hi Jesse, You are doing an amazing job, safe sailing and keep well. I too am worried about pirates. Christine Gold Coast
TO THE BLOG MANAGER
Do you have some method of forwarding some of the blog comments to Jessica? I am sure because of satellite internet connection costs, she can't just log on and read each one.
But I don't see where if she ever sees the things we write.
Do you cut and paste into emails to her?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Hope you get around the atoll all OK and your change of direction back towards the southern side of things proves to be all happy.
Sending you supportive encouragement from Bathurst NSW
Cyalayta
Mal :)
Christmas Island!!! Amazing!
x
Hi Jessica
This not for you Jesse, some bloggers questions I will try and answer.
Kingston: There is a map and route on Jessica's web page, just click on voyage and up she pops.
Brian: 22 8:22pm There is no pirate problem where Jesse is sailing, Somalian pirates are 1000's of klm's to the north of her rum line.
John: 22 8:28 pm Jeissca would not change the sail to many times, the headsail will be on furler, she would pull in or let out more sail when needed. The mainsail she would reef in (pull down to set reefing points) and pull up to suit the wind. She will trim the sails with the winches with wind changes.
Jesse or your team may be able to address some of these questions. Jesse, you may be able to film and explain your sail setup when time permits?
Cheers George Simmons
Lots of love from Exmouth WA
Hi Jess,
Thank you for tonight's blog and we understand you not posting last night but I was a little concerned if you were ok or not, so it was great to get tonight's post and a big relief.
Your doing great Jess but always remember the ocean is a very powerful thing and always treat it with respect and be aware of the unknown out there especially on your own.
Stay safe Jess you are always in our thoughts may god be with you.
Cheers Kaye Brisbane.xx
pps Jesse, Stan won Idol tonight, he is truly all heart and spirit and a strikingly obvious winner. Australia needs him - you're not so bad yourself
David
Kiritimati or Christmas Island is a Pacific Ocean atoll in the northern Line Islands and part of the Republic of Kiribati.
The island has the greatest land area of any coral atoll in the world: about 322 square kilometres (124 sq mi)[1]; its lagoon is about the same size. The atoll is about 150 km (93 mi) in perimeter, while the lagoon shoreline extends for over 48 km (30 mi).[2] Kiritimati comprises over 70% of the total land area of Kiribati, a nation encompassing 33 Pacific atolls and islands.
It lies 232 km (144 mi) north of the Equator, 6,700 km (4,200 mi) from Sydney, and 5,360 km (3,330 mi) from San Francisco. Kiritimati is the first inhabited place on Earth to experience the New Year each year (see also Caroline Atoll, Kiribati). Despite being 1,530 miles (2,460 km) east of the 180 meridian, a 1995 realignment of the International Dateline by the Republic of Kiribati "moved" Kiritimati to west of the dateline.
Nuclear tests were conducted in the region around Kiritimati by the United Kingdom in the late 1950s. During these tests islanders were not evacuated. Subsequently British, New Zealand and Fijian servicemen as well as local islanders have claimed to have suffered from exposure to the radiation from these blasts.
The entire island is a Wildlife Sanctuary; access to five particularly sensitive areas (see below) is restricted.[1]
The name "Kiritimati" is a rather straightforward transliteration of the English word "Christmas" into Gilbertese – where the 'ti' combination is pronounced 's' – and thus pronounced [kəˈrɪsmÉ™s]. Similarly Kiribati is a transliteration of Gilberts with the K replacing the G and the R replacing the L.
Hi,Jessica
I can imagine you got a fright with a noise like that out of nowhere. The bouys might be WW2 dive sites. Maybe in daylight anyway, visually scan the horizon befor you go below deck.
Also don't talk to anyone you don't have to and don't let on you're the only one onboard.
My mother and sister are worried about you and say to take care.
Other than that Happy Sailing
Well I'll be. I keep learning new things. When you posted the bit about Christmas Island I was confused coz I never new there was more than 1. Good 'ol google earth sorted me out. Hope your popcorn and movie night was good.
Till next time, Always look forward to your posts. Especially the one with pictures.
Stay safe
Mick
Hi Jess:
Those buoys you were having problems with were probable fishing ones. Fishermen tie lines to buoys with nets that are far below the surface of the water to trap fish. The other explanation could have been a string of traps for some sort of shell fish. Usually when u see one buoy there is usually another one that is attached to the other end of the traps. Maybe u should put over your fishing line and catch some dinner.:oD
I guess the next time we hear from u, Ella's Pink Lady will be heading south. :-))
Robert
Hi Jesse,
I love reading your blog! What an adventure! I have the globe of the earth right here next to the computer and am keeping right up with you!
I'm wondering if those buoys have anything to do with the Tsunami warning system? Just a thought.
Tons of good wishes from Boston, MA! Margie
Greetings from Little Finland up North.
You have become quite the celebrity here :-) You were noticed in our local radiostation, for crossing into the northren hemisphere.
Be safe, an may the winds be with you
Chris
Helsinki
Finland
you are awesome jess....
kia kaha girl...
i am enjoying following you on this journey...
Bradd (kiwi in perth)
Another great entry - you write so well! You are headed south by now, so enjoy the run! Thousands are following you every day, so don't worry about a few boats that don't speak english!!
Hello Captain Watson; I never thought I would do this, but you have me hooked in following your adventure. I am so proud of you, and I don't even know you. Your dream was also mine. I'm in your corner, all the way! Alfred, Vancouver, Canada
P.S. Everyone knows that girls can't fish!
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the update.I have been learning about Kiritimati Island and the surrounding area. Alot has gone down around there.
From one of the cruiser links I found while trying to get information about fishing off of a sailboat, I found some info on Kiritimati in the section "computers at sea"
http://www.creative-cruising.com/
Under the section using Google Earth offline, they talked about charts being off, and all the reefs that are scattered about.
They specifically mentioned the Kiritimati area.
Another blogger to your site mentioned imperfect charting.
You must be having a chore looking out while tacking. Where I sail in the Chesapeake, it's like sailing in a rubber room, if you hit bottom, mud. Where you are ...."crunch"...."ow"
Best of luck always, you are my hero!
PS, I will play the song "Southbound" by Dire Straits today and think of you as you set your course for Cape Horn
Hi Jess,
My guess is that the fishing boats that you saw were "longliners" and that the buoy's belonged to them. I hope that you get to stop tacking very soon, and get headed back southbound. I talked to an Australian golfer at a PGA qualifier on Thursday and he asked about your progress!
Stay Safe and Stay Strong,
Mark
Atlanta, GA (USA)
Hope those bouys arent attached to nets that the boats are dragging, dont want to get tangled up in something like that.
Perfect time to drag a lure though by the sounds of things.
Keep safe and happy on your journey southwards. Dont worry about the slowness of things, as you know, doesnt take long for a month to fly past, its but a minute part of a lifetime so make the most of it.
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To help you on your way Jesse,lots of love is following you through the hopes and wishes for a safe journey.
Sally in Melbourne
Hey Jess,wow your doing great.
Well how does it feel going back in time.Now you have to wait an extra day to be 17 years young.LOL
Its been over a month and it still hard to think a 16 year old girl is going around the world.
But we and the rest of the world is thinking of you every day and PRAYING.
I hope you make a book.
Well lil Jess this big trip of yours wow i been reading up on cape horn and all the waters.i hope and pray you be safe girl.
we are going to make the trip to cape hornas soon as i learn to sail.im getting a 25 foot sail boat.
well be safe lil one and most of all use good thinking and be good.
your friends
Robert,Ellen,Alison and Autumn (AKA lilshawnee )
Hi Jess,
Watching your progress from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, the Atlantic side. Best wishes to you. All the best on the next leg, and then from Cape to Cape across the Atlantic. Love your blogs and videos, and especially the GPS track.
Rex Gibbons www.rexgibbons.com
hmmm. There was an earthquake 24 hours ago just south of the Solomon islands. The bouy's may have broken loose as a result of that. Enjoy your journey. We enjoy the daily posts, and your style of writing. Godspeed, from CT USA
great explanation of UTC (coordinated universal time) here:
http://www.hamuniverse.com/utctime.html
Matthew 21:21-22 (The Message)
21 But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes — and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. 22 This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."
Good Sunday morning, Jessica! Sailing past that little obstacle of a buoy with no damage to EPL makes me think of this text. I am relieved. I wonder if the buoys relate to nets, lines, or traps placed by large fishing vessels? Hmmm. Well I was praying for you yesterday as I checked your blog for an entry, and will sure do so again today. Great to hear from you. I will pray for your continued safety in the presence of such obstacles as the one you described, your health, and good rest for you as you begin to head south for serious sailing and no doubt further obstacles. All the best.
Hi Jesse,
Great to hear your still making a bit of progress, just keep on sailing.
Kiritimati Island does sound like a Great place to visit, and maybe you can catch some fish there...maybe next time.
It's always good to see someone now and then...did you get at least a wave from them.
Just think you have your own little theater out there, star lite,clear nights, popcorn and your own little movies, yes I'm jealous...:) :)
Just hang out enjoy the sail of your life time. Don't worry about Cape Horn, with your possitive thinking, it will be a breeze for you.
Thanks for the update...need more pictures, they are so good. Thanks
Sail on Girl...Sail on!
Marion from Oklahoma (USA)
Hello Jessica
Missed you on Saturday
God Speed
John, Sean
Hello Jess
Love the computer age. We followed Jesse martin, Jon Sanders, Kay cottee and David Dicks on their voyages - mostly via bits in the paper. To be able to read somthing directly from you is fantastic. Thankyou for taking the time to keep us up to date, but seriously, one blog a week is more than enough. Any more than that is a absolute bonus for us sitting back here. Try not to feel pressured by what others might expect of you.
It is fun to plot your progress with the kids,and lookup where you are at etc. Its a great dinner conversation, much better than having the silly TV on in the background.
Good on you Jesse, and good on your family as well.
The Logans - Perth
It is always good to have a little excitement enter your life. Who would ever think that out in the middle of nowhere you would run into a buoy! I would think that fishermen would use rubber buoys or something on the lighter side for easy of use. Somewhere out there are Tsunami warning buoys. However, I think they are pretty big and made of metal, but not really up on that one. (hey, maybe they mark good fishing holes... or old shipwrecks!)
You blog about the heat. Just how hot is it during the day?
We imagine that once you turn south your speed will increase dramatically. That should be fun...
Keep on keepin' on, and know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of hundreds of thousands on the Big Blue Marble.
Blessings,
See Ya Sailor!
Christmas island by the equator. I guess that makes sense if Santa needs to take a rest stop.
Wow, those buoys coming out of nowhere sure must have been unsettling. Would be interesting if you could leave buoy crumbs to mark your route that were non polluting.
Hi Jesse, When you go around Cape Horn,you may want to consider Linlin Park's "What I've Done" for background music with a video. Be Safe! Be happy! Godspeed!
Kiribati’s unusual spelling is accounted for by the fact that the written Kiribati language lacks the letter “s” and represents that sound with ti” instead. Christmas Island is known in the local language as Kiritimati (kee-rees-mass) Island.
- http://www.ucar.edu/communications/staffnotes/0707/christmas.shtml
Glad you're making such good progress. Enjoy the warm weather while you have it. It's 16 degrees F here at 8000' in Arizona this morning. Unexpected objects at sea are always a concern. I was sailing in the Atlantic near Cape Cod and surprised a whale napping near the surface. It scared both of us but luckily we avoided each other. I'm sure the angel on your shoulder will keep you safe.
Ouch! that is painful progress head wind and current against you.
The buoys that you have been seeing and the large fishing boats are more than likely long line fishing vessels, really hope you do not get caught up in one of their lines as it could be damaging.
After you finish this last tack and round the island it should be very nice down wind sailing the conditions sound very nice.
Safe passsage, will talk later.
Brian.
Hervey Bay. QLD.
Well, Jesse, I have just been edified as a result of your historic water journey around the world. I always thought that Kirabati was just one island, atol. Now I see it is actually a Republic made up of 70 such islands, Kiritimati being only one of them. I continue to be one of the many virtual First Mates riding along with you. Wishing you continued enjoyment and fair winds, Cap'n Jess, as you leave our Northern waters. Thanks for the short visit. Be sure to add us to your lengthening bucket list of places to visit the second and hopefully more times around the World. Steady as she goes!
Bruce, Michigan USA
Slowly but surely!
All the world is with you!nothing bad can't happen!Just silly bird on your sat :)
Slow wind forecast for the next days in the area.
Goodluck Jess! Enjoy!
We are following you from Columbus, Ohio and found ourselves missing your post yesterday. No pressure of course, but, we sure enjoy reading your messages. Not sure if you like American Football but our big news for yesterday was Ohio State beating Michigan, Ole Miss upsetting LSU and of course Florida, Texas and TCU all won. Seems trivial compared to what you are experiencing.
American Music Awards are tonight. Think the show will get a lot of attention due to Michael Jackson being up for a lot of awards. I'm sure you can catch the acts on youtube afterwards. Good luck and stay safe.
Hi Jesse
you forgot to tell every one that you passed over the"DATE LINE" and losted a DAY'...... how does it fill to be a head of things by a day now?
JOHN GLENN SHEPPARD USA
Keep having fun, Jessica!
Do you keep track of whether or not you are ahead or behind schedule?
Captain Jessica:
After reading about your fright, I went online to see what the bouys were doing in that area.
The bouys might be the NOAA bouys regarding tsunami warning systems. There appears to be bouys very close to the area you are currently in. I believe the tsnumai bouy system was started in 2007.
I would have been given a fright to hear the rubbing noise down the side of my yacht! Glad everything turned out okay.
Gayle
Hi Jessica,
Could you post a round of sights taken with your sextant? Celestial navigation is a hobby of mine, and I would like to see "real" data.
Bob Bernecky
Mystic CT USA
Thanks for your care in keeping us up to date! Let us know how it is to sail from tonight to yesterday morning! You're in our prayers. Fair winds and following seas,
Tom, Missouri, USA
Hi Jesse lovely to read your post this evening. Sorry to hear it has been slow going for awhile. You didn't tell us what movie you were watching? It's late Sunday here and we should be in bed in prep for the week ahead. We'v only just got home and of course the first thing i did was to check in with your blog... so i will go to bed happy knowing you are safe and well. and of course before i retire for the evening i wish you good winds and safe sailing.
jo
ps forgot to tell you Jesse i really enjoyed the tour of the galley and you cooking dinner and the video of you crossing the equator and dunking yourself in water made me smile and laugh so much. thanks for taking the time to post them for our enjoyment, twas much appreciated and you are looking fantastic.
jo
A poem for Jessica
Upon the ocean,
Her ship and she,
Sails, wind, and spray,
Jess and the Pink Lady.
Serenity and peace,
Sheets slip thru her palm,
Day moves to night,
and night becomes dawn.
Bright stars above,
blue sea below,
the most beautiful scenes,
you will ever know.
First north,
then back down,
next go east,
and then go round.
Miles gone by,
and miles ahead,
family, friends await you,
and your own bed.
Strong as the wind,
free as the sea,
Jessica Watson ,
and her Pink Lady.
Continued good luck and safe sailing. We wish you all the best.
HAWKEYE
Hi Jess, I got a bit worried when there was no word on Saturday - I shouldn't worry but I do. I can't help it. And I'm not chastising you - I'd never do that. I'm happy to hear from you whenever it's convenient.
Great you had time for a movie and the popcorn - like the real thing. If you're like me I can't go to the movies without the popcorn. You appear to be coping very well so far and I do hope you are still making good use of the family and others whenever you need to.
What's this about Christmas Is and next time? You're ambitious, Jesse but don't get ahead of yourself. Stay in the moment. I guess it would be a bit tricky maneuvering around the islands and it's understandable you are again looking forward to the open sea. EPL has done herself proud to this point and as I said last time those little one per centers on maintenance, etc are paying off and will continue to pay dividends the further you get into the journey.
Also take advantage of any free time to rest up because a well refreshed Jess will be a bonus as you track southwards toward Everest. Continue to do those safety first things, please look after Jess, first and foremost and you will be better placed to deal with those annoying novel situations that will arise from time to time - like the buoys.
'til next time, special one, stay safely buckled-up and be happy!!
HAWKEYE
Hi Jesse,
reading about those buoys I suddenly felt some kind of suspicion and so I checked wikipedia for the history of Kiritimati Island. And I was right: The area used to be a british and US nuclear test area from 1957 to 1962!
I'm citing the interesting part of the article:
"During the Cold War there was some nuclear weapons testing in the Kiritimati area. The United Kingdom supposedly conducted its first successful hydrogen bomb test at Malden Island on 15 May 1957; Kiritimati was the operation's main base. In fact, this test did not work as planned, and the first British H-bomb was successfully detonated over the southeastern tip of Kiritimati on 8 November 1957. Subsequent test series in 1958 (Grapple Y and Z) took place above or near Kiritimati itself. The United States conducted 22 successful nuclear detonations as part of Operation Dominic here in 1962. Some toponyms (like Banana and Main Camp) come from the nuclear testing period, during which at times over 4,000 servicemen were present. By 1969, military interest in Kiritimati had ceased and the facilities were abandoned and for the most part dismantled. Some communications, transport and logistics facilities, however, were converted for civilian use and it is due to these installations that Kiritimati came to serve as the administrative center for the Line Islands."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiritimati_Island
Big brown buoys right in the middle of nowhere, and a very awkward military past right in the same place: I'd accept a good bet that these buoys are some forgotten naval markers for whatever purpose they had in those days.
But don't be afraid. As Kiritimati is settled today there certainly isn't any danger to you, and maybe there's even someone who knows about those buoys.
Nico
Germany
I enjoy reading your blog. I'm happy to know that you've done the first part of your journey. I hope you will be able to catch a nice big fish soon. It will be a long way south. Don't forget to pray. HE will bring safety to your journey. God bless you brave young lady.
Michael B. C.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Whew, Jess, we're with Griffs of WA. and Helmut et al in relief seeing your blog post amidst the treacherous reefs, wrecks, shoals and shifting, submerged sandbars and wandering buoys of Kiritimati Island!!! Checking charts and setting sails must be exhausting, not to mention the usual chores and meals. "Bored" is not part of your vocabulary--we're sure of that! There's always the evil homework, too, right?!
You continue to amaze and mesmerize us all. Thank you for introducing new horizons and research topics. Thanks, fellow bloggers, for fascinating sites, books and movie favorites and recommendations for sea adventures and record breakers. Right now, yours, Jessica, is the one we are completely addicted to!
We love what you are doing and we send our rays of positive thoughts and lovewaves for courage, inspiration on the proper navigational decisions and hope for a bit of rest for you once you're out in open sea again before getting south to more thrills. Looking on wunderground's wundermap of radar, you are sandwiched amidst rougher weather on three sides with a broad open path to the southeast--just for you!
Sign us, Relieved in Northern Nevada
Bon Voyage every day and night!
sounds like a sweet ride...it will get tougher as you get further south...but you are doing it so go hard and smooth sailing..its not a race....
Jessica,
Kiritimati really does sound interesting. I've also been doing a little research of different areas that you will be passing. I think it would be a fun place to stop on your next lap.
It's possible that the boats that you passed were commercial longline fishing boats. Their longline fishing gear would be marked with bouys. Those longlines can be anywhere from a mile to many miles long with bouys attached at certain intervals. When you see commercail fishing boats, stay alert and watch for their gear. I'd hate to see you get their gear wrapped around your wind vane and the fisherman wouldn't be too crazy about having their gear damaged.
Rounding Kiritimati and starting south is another big step and deserves another congrats. I hope your next leg of your trip to the cape goes as smoothly as your first leg has.
Have fun, stay safe and happy sailing.
From Seattle, WA, USA
SaltyDog
Hi Jess,
I would imagine the buoys you are coming across would be meteorological related. There are thousands floating across the ocean and many of the ones in the Pacific Ocean near the equator would be ocean temperature related for El Nino monitoring.
Congratulations on the progress and thank you for the awesome blog.
Andrew
ah...good. There you are on the BLOG again. Maybe on days you don't get to post someone in your support team who knows all is well with you could pop something up!
Doesn't that sound a bit over the top! But then....seeing some other comments obviously many people like me kept hitting the blog page to see if you'd shown back up yet.
Good on ya Jessica. On 60 Minutes last program for the year last night a bit of your story was shown. They did lots of snippets from all the stories covered this year.
fair winds
Gai
Hope you get a bit more progress soon.
Looking forward to hearing more
-Dimitri, USA
Fascinating adventure! Thank you for sharing with us! From dry land in Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States.
hi-jess---now after you have crossed the equator--its time to run dowm to French Polynesia---cross the little islands----direction to south America--see you--good luck--Ralf from Hannover--Germany
you go girl, enjoy the stars, they must look awesome with no other light sources around. Good luck with that sushi ;)
Morten, Norway
Hello Jess,
Those may be NOAA weather Buoys.
Hope the wind turns your way.
Tomas, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA.
@Brian & Bruce Watt
The Somali pirates are thousands of milles north of any possible route for Jessica, so thy won't be the danger...
@Captain Jesse
Well done once again. Sorry for the wind and currents, I guess the North Hemisphere wished to keep you on its lap as long as possible. Not wise, but understandable (who wouldn't?).
The buoy might be from fishermen, or for some WWII wrecks, the fightings having been ferocious in the Kiribati islands, notably Tarawa. I heard that Pt John Kennedy, then a US NAvy lieutenant, was in the area.
Take care and get the good winds and currents with you to fly smoothly southwards tomorrow!
Hi Jess,
My kids and I have been following your blog! What fun we're having- enjoying your journey from our family room! No pressure, but I have to say, when you don't blog, I do worry all day but we realize there are other things going on in your life and it's not about the blog! Have fun -we're waiting to hear "Fish On" (what we say when we catch one)
-Finger Lakes Region, NY USA
Hi, Jess:
Your comment about the bouy was interesting. Have you seen much in the way of pollution (plastics, drifting nets etc) out there?
Hello Jesse,
It's the morning for you now in the Pacific, while it is dinner time in France.
I am going to tell you a quite personal story.
For decades, following a couple of injuries, I put on much (much much much) weight, and could never ger rid of it. Weakness, appetite, hedonism, whatever... Several diets juste ended by lack of will.
I met a couple of weeks ago a girl I had known in the past, she is a former cycling champion, and she is now a sports and fitness coach. she offered to help me, and found the right words and method (I guess, and hope). She told me: "You must not consider that like a punishment, but an adventure; you are sailing for a long journey, you are the captain of your boat". Immediately, I thougt of you.
You are on EPL and for 8 months, you are eating "special" meals. No other choice. And you live your challenge with a strong will, courage, and smile.
So I figured I should be able to act too, in some kind of virtual journey parallel to yours.
I chose to start my journey when you turn right and head south. From that moment, I shall live as if I were on a virtual pink ship, and I shall hold until you arrive in Sydney.
I actually believe that with a model like you, I can't fail. Maybe you are going to save my life...
Really, all the people who write here that you are inspirational are right.
My family is around me to thank you for showing such a high spirited example.
7 months to go. With you,, why not?
Enjoy your (last?) northern day and Go! Jesse...
You're great.
Bravo Zulu, Jess! Have followed your progress since you met up with Mike months ago. Welcome to the Northern Hemisphere if only for just a few days. Wishing you smooth sailing southeast to Cape Horn and on around into the new year. We enjoy your blogs and follow you daily.
Bravo Zulu, Jess! Have followed your progress since you met up with Mike months ago. Welcome to the Northern Hemisphere if only for just a few days. Wishing you smooth sailing southeast to Cape Horn and on around into the new year. We enjoy your blogs and follow you daily.
Love your blogs ............... you've a great sense of humor and wit about you. Hope you were on your last tack around Kiritmati, as you said, and can run for awhile. Sail on, sail on
Happy sailing from California,
Kerri
Hi Jesse,
One thing you can say your life is not boring. Every day brings something different. These buoys are another twist in your journey.
By the time you get this it looks like another milestone has been passed, the most northern part of your journey.
Keep doing what you are doing. You a one fantastic, special, young lady. Always thinking of you.
Take care and watch the sunburn,
Rob
Ingleburn NSW
Hi Jessica,I'm an aircraft mechanic curently working out of chicago, had a bit of a slow night lastnight so i was surfing some of the previously visited addresses on the company computer and happened on yours . apparently someone else here is following your progress as will i now. what an adveture you must be having and i am looking forward to following you along the way.good luck and gods speed.
Good luck with your journey!
Greetings from a bit more northern part of the hemisphere, we are following your story here too! :)
Kaisa, Finland
Jessica,
I've been watching you since Zac made his voyage. Be brave, be careful and be smart. You're doing well.
My wife is from Oz...Noosa, Queensland. She came here 7 years ago. I'm a Californian born and raised and love to sail. We both live here now in California and we're rooting for you.
Sail on
Scot in California
The brown bouys you described are probably attached to fishing lines, sometimes miles long, suspende below the surface.
Paul T, USA
I checked out Kiritimati on Google Earth, it is an interesting place to visit. I imagine someone knows or can find out where, why, etc. those bouys were out there. Does make a person wonder. I recently read about 2 men from England that rowed a boat from Japan to California. Took them 189 days. Quite a feat but one girl sailing alone is more awesome. Good sailing. Bob
Those buoys could be markers for the fishermen from kiribati who are catching lobsters or other kinds of fish. Maybe you should have pulled one in to see.......and get a free meal...
Now back south for the challenge of the Horn
Jesse
35 days at sea and looking strong Captain Jesse. How does it feel to not be down under any more? Glad you are doing so well and finally having to head South on your next leg of your Journey. Stay safe and thanks for sharing your journey with us. You are amazing.......
Brian
Lakeland Florida USA
Hi Jessica
Lesson 9 Acts 2 36-39
When the people who heard Peter's words believed that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, they were very sorry for their sins and asked the Apostles, "What shall we do?" Peter replied by preaching the message Jesus commanded to be preached in Luke 24: 45-49. In light of this, consider the three elements of the Plan of Salvation that Peter preached in in verse 38.
Jessica you have shown the world that our future as our children who are starting their own journey in life and must be guided and protected with the love your parents have bestowed upon you.
Well Done.
Hi Jesse ! Pleased everything is going really well. I noticed that in several comments over the last few weeks people are concerned about African East coast pirates. (Girl alone in a very pink boat) but unless I’m very wrong and that wouldn’t be the first time, you won’t be going any closer to that area than at least 1500 miles, think and hope that’s correct. Very best wishes, Tony (Shipshape and Bristol fashion) Bristol UK.
Wishing you all things bright and beautiful, Jess.
Mary, Maine, USA
Hi Jesse,
Glad to hear the buoy wasn't a problem, It's the other ones that will give you trouble in years to come.Glad everything is going well. I guess your heading south now. That's the thins I miss about being at sea, the stars at night. I used to find a dark spot and just sit and gaze for hours.
Hope you enjoyed your movie. I took my wife yesterday and saw "The time travellers wife" I guess you would like it.
So long for now .
Fair winds and following seas.
Skip'Ohoy Jessica.So that darn Buoy hit your Pink Lady,yes that was scary,em I surpraised?,not at all,it never stop to amase me how things can happen there out at sea.When I was lookout up on the bridge the horizont was about 9 miles away and I would see lights out there(ships)crossing our course and I will be tinking,no problem they will cross far ahead of us,but in 95% of the time I was called in by the Officer to take over the Wheel,so we could do the nessesary adjustments or else we would have run in to that other Ship.There is something evil out there.Your horizont is probably no more than 3 miles,Cant wait for you to get the Hell out of that Kiribati area and out to open sea.Fair Winds and Smoot Sailing and if your a little lucky a Flying Fish will sail right inn to your Galley.(kitchen).All the Best to You. Herman.From:Hampstead.NH.USA.
Hey Jess
Love your updates and you make us all so proud to an Aussie. Our hearts and spirit are with you all the way.
Deborah, Noosa
Hiya Jess, good to hear 'all hands are on deck' :)
I got woken by a stray ferret this morning... just turned up at my doorstep.
Stinky for you, ferret for me... never a dull moment :)
cheers
Tia
Hey, I saw the posts about the pirates and I've been looking at the news and the maps. It looks to me like Jessica will be no where near Somalia. It looks like the farthest the pirates have come is 1000 nm from Somalia. I'm assuming Jessica will go around the south side of Madagascar so if I'm reading my map correctly she will be more than 1000 nm from Somalia. Plus, what are the chances that her small yacht would be singled out so far from shore when all the expensive commercial ships are closer?
- Bobby
Love reading your blog, Jessica. I look forward to each entry! I think you have planned this trip so well, and I am so impressed with how well you are taking care of yourself and Ella's Pink Lady. You should be very proud!
Enjoy every minute! You will have so much to tell your family in the years to come.
Good morning Jessica, (my time 5.45 am Mackay)
looked a few times for your news yesterday, but as several others have said, please only write when you can and when you choose too.
It is your journey, your safety, your fun and your life!
We are clinging to the fence to get a peek of your special experiences! So ANYTHING you can 'throw' our way is muchly appreciated!
Glad the buoys left EPL undamaged!
I am reading Joshua Slocum's book right now and it sure was a different time in 1895. Very rough! You are a techno babe on EPL in sailing; makes life easier and safer too!
Awesome man, awesome story!
Here is something I read in the introduction, that reminds me of you, Jessica!
Talking about J.S.' ability to tell a story:
But the virtue of his book does not lie in his occasional memorable phrases.
It is in the man himself, confident, serene, modest and blessed with the most infectious of all gifts,
AN IMMENSE POWER OF ENJOYMENT.
HE MAKES NO FUSS ABOUT ANYTHING BUT RELISHES EACH MOMENT AS IT COMES AND SHARES HIS GUSTO WITH HIS READER.
I love that word 'gusto'!
So are you and so do you!
It is natural to you, you don't have to work at being a positive, cheerful person, up beat person.
Keep on keeping on!
To Wolfhound:
thanks for your touching and true comments in your last commentary!
Al yer pal - I am glad you didn't say she couldn't find her cat!!!!!
To Joseph in Portland Or.
I have flown many times across the equator. NOOO celebration on a plane!!!!!
Keep well, dear Jessica, happy, watchful and always safe.
My thoughts of support continue 24/7.
Trudy, Austria, now in Mackay
Hi Jesse,
Hope you catch a good fish out there!
Cya Jesse,
Gabi
hey, jess....I've been following your blog and adventure long before you hit the sea and marvel at your courage and strength. Being from a sailing family who didn't have the devices of today....my dad once replied to my mother (who was concerned about not having a means of communicating during his ventures from mainland USA to the Hawaiin Islands) he told her he would pick up his mail at buoys along the way. Maybe they strayed since then. lol. Wishing you all the success you've worked for...and let us know if those buoys are really old mailboxes :P
Sandy, Washington State, USA
keep going jess,your determination is a great lesson for our young people
I love being able to follow your journey along with everyone else, but! the MOST important thing is your well-being, and that includes your safety, which includes sleeping, eating, taking care of the pink lady, your skeds, etc. The blog is fantastic for all of us, but other things should come first, even a movie and popcorn... important self-care!
You are doing SO well managing all the things that need attention.
When you get down south, and encounter rougher conditions, your family can fill us in on how things are going.
No pressure on blogging every day.
Susan
Jess - I agree with anonymous' comments about not worrying about Bryn's comments. We all understand - well, most of us - that you can't blog all the time. And really appreciate it when you do!
Stay safe and let us know when're heading south again.
Very curious about those buoys too. Maybe local fishermen put them there??
Stay safe
Sydneysider
Hello,
I am following your blogg from Stockholm, Sweden. When you write we, do you mean you and your boat?
How often do you meet any person for refill your supplies?
You are one tough girl, you rock and Iam going to learn my six year old daughter that you as a girl can achieve anything you want to achieve.
Good luck.
Hello Jessica!
I follow your blog everyday... You are doing great progress!
Keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Michael
Switzerland/Norway
Don't worry, Jess. We wait for your blogging but most of the time we know no news is good news... After lots of hard work and keeping the boat going, sometimes one does not feels like writing.. However, the ocean can be quite crowdy near land, for fishing boats and yachts come out of nothing; and these buoys probably held large fishing nets dropped by fishermen who collect them later. Radar won't detect them, and it's a good thing you didn't got stuck or "Ella's" damaged. As for your actual position and eventual self-defense measures, I don't think it's a good idea to publish them in a blog everyone (and not only good people) can read. Position posted might be slightly altered on the map; and for your plans against sea crime, let the bandits guessing... We trust you to keep safe. And enjoy the good weather while you can!
G'day Jesse...
So excellent to read your words again and 'hearing' that you're keeping in 'fine fettle'.
The buoy (s).... ~ bit of a worry !! But no damage so all OK. I guess it's something else to 'keep an eye out for'.. :))
"Fishing" as you round the islands.... Hey... could be good !!!
I can't wait to read of your forthcoming Marine Culinary Extravaganza ( with piccies).... --and such a delightful addition to your diet, too, eh !!
Although your 'popcorn' is so great!!.... Gees, I _love_ popcorn. I make tubs of the stuff ( in a 'popcorn maker') and slather it with various herbs, spices, different oils.... Yummmm !! Have to be careful near the bottom of the bowl, though, 'corz of the residual 'hard' kernels that could snap an edge of a tooth !! ( Corz I've done that once!)
So.... it's around the islands and then south to the Cape. ----Hey, Jesse~~~ Be with your words every splash of the way. :))... Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the serried ranks of landlubbers such as I :)
Keep sparkling...
... Ooc
Good Luck headed south and fair sailing
Ahoy Jesse,
I hope by now you have rounded Christmas Island and born off on a port tack for the Horn.
That must have been a scare, colliding with whatever type of buoy you discovered. Do they show up at all on radar?
Enjoy the Northern Hemisphere stars while you have them. I'm sure you can see the big dipper, (ursa major) but Polaris will only be two degrees above the horizon. Can you see stars that close to the horizon?
I look forward to your blogs.
Fair winds.
Richard Lathrop
Hi Jessica,
Glad to hear you are safe and well. Like others I have been checking Kiribati islands out on Google. We are all learning from you. Looks like we are in for some good weather today in Ballarat after over 60 ml of rain and strong winds during the weekend.
Keep safe and we look forward to your next blog.
Joy
Ballarat.
"Being relaxed, at peace with yourself, confident, emotionally neutral, loose, and free-floating - these are the keys to successful performance in almost everything." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
At what point do you turn south again??
Hi Jessica
Just as well you're doing this when you're 16. You're putting so many places on your list to go back to you'll need the rest of your life to get to them all :-)
Pity about the currrents and wind. It can be quite depressing to mark your place on the chart - do people still do that or is it all electronic now? - and see that you haven't moved far despite hours of sailing? And tacking against currents feels like an exercise in futility sometimes - all that effort just to make sure you don't go backwards!
Still your sunny personality is shining through.
I haven't read all the previous blogs but my guess is the buoys belong to the fishing boats. They lay lines hundreds of miles long with multiple hooks attached and then go back to check them later. Long line fishing! We saw them a bit. We were also chased by a fishing boat once when we guess we went too close to them - quite unintentional on our part. But they were in Australian waters and no doubt felt worried that they would get caught, so they followed us for hours, I guess to scare us a bit. They did!
By now you will definitely be pointing southward for the 'downhill'run.
Keep up the good work and wishing you more fair winds
Toni
Hey Jess,
"If wishes were fishes we'd all be throwing nets"
you're a legend
Take Care
Mick
MNC NSW
Good morning Jesse
Wild weather weekend in Dubbo..wind and lots of dust and fires and of cousre as soon as things get slightly out of the ordinary no email...as usual. If you are interested the QLD boy Stan won Australian Idol...good singer.
I hope you don't hit any more slightly submerged objects bit worrying. I am so glad you are preparing mentally for the next goal. Tougher than the equator but you'll make it. Clear focus is what it is about to reach a goal...that mental picture in your mind and you have it !
Sea ya
Dusty from Dubbo
Happy Christmas... Island! First leg almost down, only a few to go! Hang a right and head back down south! It's way nicer down here... Keep up the amazing work!
Hi Jessica,
Brynn has certainly fired all of us bloggers up.
I think Andrew the blogmeister would've notched up a record amount of deleted comments overnight, lol.
Seems like there must be a few reefs around you if the buoys are there for the fishing boats.
I reckon EPL is the coolest yacht around going from the last Video. She seems to scoot along effortlessly in the Breeze.
Fair winds and currents to you.
Congratulations Jessica, on completion of the first leg of your adventure, and welcome to the Northern Hemisphere.
I was glad to see you were almost smiling, rather than tired or glum in your crossin photo series. Best wishes on your continued journey. I really enjoy your sense of humor, per your blog. IE: Detangling the equator “line” from the keel, after crossing. OR: Telling of your families “Fish and Chips” meal while you examine a chewed up fishing plug and plan how to cook your elusive first catch.
Here is a link to a “fishing guide” or instruction manual for pacific waters. http://www.spc.int/Coastfish/fishing/Trolling_handbook/English/Trolling_Handbook_E.htm
It is adobe or .pdf format and is written for motor craft. Unless you have the protective gloves, gaffs, club and other tools to land, kill and clean a large game fish it may be best that you stick to the easy-meals. But what fun would that be? It could be that with your fencing skills even the meanest predator fish won’t stand a chance. Take care and err on the side of safety in any case. Game fish have sharp teeth, fins, spikes and/or spines and I have read that their slime contains bacteria. So even a small cut or scrape should not go untreated. Based, solely on the above guide, I expect that you may have the best luck trolling in coastal water or over seamounts you cross where the water depth is less than forty fathoms. Much of the ocean you have crossed is about 3 miles (4.83 km) deep. Do you have any depth indication on EPL? The only off-shore sailing I have done was as one of two students on a 39 foot O’Day with an ex-navy skipper / instructor from Punta Gorda on Florida’s east coast to Key West, with a overnight trip to Fort Jefferson. The “Mary-Anne” outfitted (or fitted out) for inexperienced coastal navigators had a digital sonic depth read-out. It lacked GPS, satellite phone, radar, electronic charts, and roller reefing. We didn’t even have a “Parker”. It was all hand steering and visual navigation from laminated paper charts of the Florida east coast.
Another web link I thought you might find of interest is.
http://members.shaw.ca/tonygooch/.
Tony Gooch has a seven page description of his 2001 solo circumnavigation. His path from Cape Horn to Tasmania is similar to your planned route. It may be of value to note the hazards and equipment problems he encountered. I believe your sails, rigging and equipment mounts are newer and may not be subject to age and cumulative wear and consequent problems he had. I see you are on schedule for the best, December through March, Cape Horn transit interval. One of the hazards I had never considered was avoiding icebergs.
Here are several stanzas of a poem you may consider for accuracy when you next cross the ITCZ. It was written around year 1798 to 1800 by English author Samuel Coleridge. It must have been written from accounts of sailors he had known as his biography states his travels only took him as far south as Malta the Mediterranean island near latitude 56° N.
Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down,
Twas sad as sad could be;
And we did speak only to break
The silence of the sea!
All in a hot and copper sky,
The bloody sun at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the Moon.
Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any a drop to drink.
But Jesse has her water stores,
And so she’s in the Pink.
Best wishes on your reamiaining voyage.
Dan
Hi Captain Jesse,
I think it would be tough to pass such unique and beautiful places and not be able to stop! But as you said that will be for next time.... Hard to believe that in that huge ocean you can run into something? Glad there was no damage. Thanks for the great post, as always wishing you the best and Godspeed. Mike
Good morning Jessica, currents and light winds are no help when you are 'itching to get going"However,along with P" for persistence, goes P'for patience!!
"Patience is a virtue possess it if you can,often found in women seldom found in man"!!! Jesse, those bouys bobbing around can be a worry, as can any floating object, however they could be connected to those fishing vessels.
You will be much happier Jesse when you have plenty of "bouy room" in the wide open ocean, with no land in sight.
We have just had 2 days in Sydney where the temperature reached 40degrees, bit cooler today @21degrees.
Stay vigilant Jesse, good winds,you are in our thoughts and prayers as always God Bless Dougal
Hi Jess,
You have a full crew of experienced sailors reading your blogs, so you are in good company.
Best,
Judith
Jesse,
One of my prayers for you has been safety, and that EPL won't be hit by one of those containers that are loaded by the thousands onto ships to transport goods. I have a friend in the Merchant Marine and he says those containers, the size of the trailer on a tractor trailer truck, fall off the ships all the time and float around in the ocean. Please keep your eyes pealed.
Missed you yesterday but understand you need a little time to yourself..and it must be busy in your head right now. Yes we worry when we don't hear..but still keep you upper most in thoughts and prayers. I bet after that 2 am wake up on sea trials any noise vaguely similar would be frightening. Keep it close and you will be back in spirits before you know it. Hopefully now you are making the circuit around and into better waters..Be Blessed and Careful..
Gary & Jan
Savannah,Ga
You might find this interesting Jessica.........
A shredded sail and broken steering in nine-metre swells and 55-knot gusts have not scuppered a bid by the first Indian to sail solo around the world.
Commander Dilip Donde arrived safely in Lyttelton on Saturday at the end of the second leg of his world tour.
The rough weather descended on his yacht last Sunday on his trip from Fremantle, Western Australia, to Lyttelton.
Donde said he was worried during the powerful storm.
‘‘That was a little bit of a hard situation as there were nine metre swells and there were problems with the steering gear,’’ he said. ‘‘I was honestly worried about it. You don’t think too much about it, you just get it sorted.’’
The weather eventually calmed and on his last few kilometres to Lyttelton a curious seal escorted him into port.
‘‘It would keep coming quite close to the boat and then look at me.’’
On the first leg of his journey from Mumbai, India, to Fremantle, he was briefly joined by a family of about five whales.
Donde volunteered after the Indian Navy called for sailors to take on the solo world trip.
‘‘I wanted to take this on. There are a billion people in India and no-one has attempted anything like this,’’ he said.
‘‘I had no clue what I was getting into.’’
However, Donde was enjoying his journey.
‘‘Don’t you envy me for the naval duties I have? I have to go around the world in a $1 million boat and get paid for it. It doesn’t get any better than this.’’
He will stay in Lyttelton until December 6 to repair his boat and get ready for the perilous journey around Cape Horn, at the base of South America, to Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
‘‘People call Cape Horn the Everest of ocean sailing. I need to be sure the boat is ready in all respects,’’ he said.
The next leg will take Donde from Stanley to Cape Town in South Africa, and the final leg back to Mumbai.
Written by Charlie Gates.
I gotta ask what movie do you watch?
Hi there,
If the wind totally dies down, just get out and push the boat! j/k!!!
Glad you had a movie night, you deserved it after the momentous occasion of crossing the equator.
You getting ready for the major haul down the coast of South America.... hope that it is smooth sailing for you the whole way.
Keep smiling cuz you are doing great!
chris from calif.
Hi Jess, I'm in Dunedin NZ, Great to hear you have plenty of NZ connections, even not too far away in Cromwell!
When you get back and do a lecture-talk, I and my kids will be there for sure. You are amazing and an inspiration to all.
Stephen.
Love reading your blog! Good luck from Arizona, USA
It's good to know you will be heading south again soon Jessica. I know you are having a great time and thanks for sharing it with us.
Heard there was a riot on Christmas Island on Saturday night, maybe that's the glow you saw.
Jess,
Greetings from Ann Arbor, Michigan. You have a growing audience of followers in Michigan. Joshua Slocum, irst man to sail single-handedly around the world, would be your biggest fan!!!
Bill
Jess,
I happen to have just watched a clip on tv about kirtimati island! when the rains come so do thousands of red crabs crawling across the whole island.
I know you have a long way to get there but i'm worried about you going around cape horn. Personally, once you get around there I'll be a bit more at ease.
I hope you can catch a fish!! I really want to hear about it.
Rob
Columbia, Missouri, USA
Jess,
Forgot to tell you, I finished my marathon! Not real fast by any means, 4:21:04. I was pretty much on pace up to the 20 mile mark. Hit that at 3:08 but after that it was tough. My legs are so incredibly tired. The next one is scheduled for September. you were one of the inspirations that got me through!
Rob
Columbia, Missouri, USA
Jessica you are such an inspiration. You are in my prayers every day. Stay safe!
Hello Jessica - loved reading your blog as always, just looked at the the location map, see you have rounded Kiritimati and now it's down south to Cape Horn, May the seas treat you kindly, You are doing amazingly well Jessica, so proud of you. I've seen a couple of lovely montages on You Tube someone has made up of your journey one is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nODoSRDqJaA
There was another called I AM SAILING but can't locate it right now.
It seems a whole lot of blogs have omitted between 9.31pm 22 Nov. and 6.04am 23 Nov.
hey jess top going reaching the equator could you please leave co-ordinates in your blogs so we can track you on a map
thanks
cam
Jessica,
Rounding Kiritimati is another big milestone and deserves another conrgats. I have been researching many of the places that you pass, and it sounds like Kiritimati would be a fun place to stop on your next lap.
The fishing boats that you saw might have been longline fishing boats. Longline fishing gear can run 50 miles or more with bouys placed at certain intervals. That might be what the bouys were that you saw. When you see commercial fishing boats, keep close watch for their gear, which could be quite a distance from the boats themselves. I'd hate to see you foul their gear around Parker. And the fisherman can get quite protective of their fishing gear.
I hope the next leg of your trip goes as smoothly as the first leg has. You really are doing fantastic, Jess and I, like so many others, am proud of you.
Have fun, stay safe and happy sailing.
From Seattle, WA, USA
SaltyDog
Hey Jess!
Don't know if you remember us but we met up in Mooloolaba, when you were doin repairs before your trip to Sydney.
Good Luck anyway and congratulations on the crossing!
Good luck and smooth sailing!
With our regards: Julie, Micayla, Kaine and Garret.
Hi
This is for andrewVA Richmond VA,
Exmouth WA is Exmouth Western Australia.
Cheers George Simmons
Exmouth Western Australia
Jessica, you have accomplished a very important mile stone in your journey, as well as in your life. I'm very proud of you, keep going strong, your journey ahead will be challenging as you know.
It's 22:00 here now in New York City where I'm located and sending you this Blog. I think it's dawn where you are know, have a very productive day. Hope the wind is blowing your sails in your direction, and the water is claim. I'm a very good cook and baker as will. What you used to bake your bread? I know it's an oven, but I'm curious. Bye for know.
Alston
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