Jessica's collision - Australia has 'no jurisdiction'

9:40 PM Mon 14 Sep 2009 GMT

'Starboard side of Jessica’s boat showing hull scrape and rigging and guard rail damage' .

Investigations carried out by both State and Commonwealth authorities after teen sailor Jessica Watson's collision with a merchant ship last week have come to nothing, as the yacht and the merchant ship were in international waters at the time, 15 nautical miles off the coast.

Jessica's 34ft yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, collided with a 225-metre Chinese bulk carrier, Silver Yang on Wednesday after she set sail for Sydney, where she had planned to start her record-breaking bid.

Andrew Fraser, spokesman for her public relations company, was quoted as saying
'It's my understanding that nobody could be charged because it happened in international waters more than 12 miles offshore.'

Jessica, from the Sunshine Coast, hopes to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world once her donated sloop is repaired.

It has a broken mast and rigging damage but no obvious structural damage and is being repaired at the Gold Coast City Marina, with much help from volunteers, including her parents, Roger and Julie Watson.

Mr Watson told the Brisbane Times that his daughter was tired but in good spirits and anxious to get on her way again.

by BW Media roundup

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Jessica's collision - Australia has 'no jurisdiction'

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