Jessica Watson to set sail- but the real danger might be the motorbike

by Bob Wonders on 23 Sep 2009 ‘Ella’s Pink Lady’, the 34’ S and S, aboard which Jessica Watson aims to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the world unassisted, will be re-launched at the Gold Coast City Marina on Friday.

It has been undergoing repairs following the vessel’s unfortunate collision with a container ship off Stradbroke Island nearly two weeks ago.

In an unparalleled show of support, the Gold Coast City Marina and many of its high-profile tenants pulled out all stops to make the necessary repairs and ensure that Jessica’s voyage can continue.

Jessica said she had been ‘blown away’ by the support. 'It has been beyond my wildest imagination, I just can’t thank everyone enough, particularly Joe Akacich of Australian Marine Enterprises,' she said.

Jessica certainly owes a thank you – Dean Leigh-Smith, a director of the Gold Coast City Marina, said that despite the repairs costing an estimated $50,000, there were no plans to present Jessica with an invoice.

'As I said before, it’s the brotherhood of the sea helping out one of our own,' he explained.

'What’s more, when ‘Ella’s Pink Lady’ is launched on Friday, Jessica is going to say thank you, Aussie style, she’s going to buy everyone a beer,' he added.

It’s expected Jessica and perhaps some of the tradesmen involved will spend the weekend on a shake-down cruise, ensuring that everything done has been done right.

She will then set a course for Sydney early next week and the beginning of her eight-month (at least) adventure.

While checking out ‘Ella’s Pink Lady’ the other day, I was able to meet with Jessica’s father Roger.

'Worried, of course we’re worried, who wouldn’t be,' he told me. 'But we’re equally confident in her ability and I think I would have been in plenty of trouble if I had attempted to forbid her going.

'I may have to draw the line somewhere, though, she’s spoken about getting a motorcycle when she returns and having been the victim of a couple of spills I think I’ll be doing what ever it takes to discourage that,' he added.