Girl, 16, hits tanker at start of round-world bid

Crashing a tiny yacht into a massive bulk carrier would seem to be more than just a setback to most people, but not to an Australian teenager seeking to become the youngest woman to sail solo around the world.

Jessica Watson, 16, was conducting sea trials in her 10-metre yacht when the collision with the ship occurred in the early hours yesterday, on her first night at sea.

"The whole incident gives me confidence – wow, I can actually handle this," Jessica said. "It could have happened to anyone. I'm unlucky I suppose, but you also learn from it."

The mast and deck of Jessica's pink-hulled yacht were damaged but she made it safely back to land. Investigations were under way yesterday to determine why the bulk carrier did not stop, maritime authorities said, but it appeared likely the massive ship had not even seen Jessica's tiny boat. She was on her way south from northern Queensland to Sydney when the accident happened.

She plans to start her attempt to sail 23,000 nautical miles around the world from Sydney.

Her record attempt follows concerns in the Netherlands, where a court intervened last month to stop a 13-year-old girl from attempting to sail solo around the world, placing her temporarily under state supervision.

Despite Jessica's setback, her record attempt had strong support from the Australian around-the-world sailor Ian Kiernan.

"It is good for the community to have these examples of courage and adventure. It can help others lift their standards and ambitions. So I support adventurism," he told Australian television.