Solo 16-year-old sailor hits merchant ship

11:47 PM Tue 8 Sep 2009 GMT

'Jessica between journalists at Sydney Boat Show' BW Studios

Jessica Watson, 16-year-old who had set off from Mooloolaba to Sydney on a leg which was to be a precursor to her attempt to solo sail the world non-stop and unassisted, has hit a cargo ship less than 24 hours after leaving port.

The Sunshine Coast schoolgirl, who had set out with a year's supply of Tim Tams in a bright pink 10.2m yacht now called Ella's Pink Lady, has returned this morning to Southport.

A spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Tracey Jiggins said her yacht collided with a bulk carrier shortly before 2.30am, about 15 nautical miles due east of Point Lookout, on North Stradbroke Island.

'The bulk carrier is believed to be heading north up the east coast and has allegedly failed to stop,' said the spokesman.

'She has contacted her parents who in turn called AMSA. She advised that her boat had suffered quite a bit of damage to the vessel and the vessel is dismasted but she herself is okay.'

How much damage is done to the yacht will determine whether she will be able to set out, as planned from Sydney towards the end of this month.

Jessica was hoping to complete the 23,000 nautical mile trip in time for her 17th birthday on May 18.

by BW

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