Jessica Watson Collision Report Released

"The question most often asked in these situations is: 'Who had right of way?' COLREGS Rule 18 states that a power vessel is to give way to a vessel under sail, however a vessel under sail must give way to a power vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver. The Silver Yang was also to the starboard of Ella’s Pink Lady, which is why the watch reported seeing a green light to port.



Things are rarely cut-and-dried in these cases, which is why this investigation will continue. At the bottom of it all is COLREGS Rule 5, however, which states: 'Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight as well as by hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.' Under this rule, of course, no solo sailor could ever sleep." Read more: Jessica Watson Collision Report Released

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Creatures of the deep: What lurks in the depths of the ocean? - Telegraph

Creatures of the deep: What lurks in the depths of the ocean? - Telegraph: "Thalassocalyce (ctenophone - comb jelly)"

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Are bikini baristas in Everett showing too much skin?

Are bikini baristas in Everett showing too much skin? | Seattle Times Newspaper:

"EVERETT — Business was brisk just before noon Thursday at the Grab-N-Go Bikini Hut, where a lone barista, clad in a skimpy pink string bikini, served up steaming vanilla lattes and an endless supply of cheerful chitchat from behind the counter of the espresso stand.

Customers who waited patiently in pickups and SUVs seemed unaware that the stand — no larger than the master closet of a suburban tract house — has become ground zero in one of Everett's most pressing civic conundrums: What is appropriate behavior at drive-up businesses that serve coffee with a view?

The city, inundated with complaints from citizens and business owners who say the so-called "bikini baristas" expose too much skin, is considering restricting their behavior by updating its decades-old lewd-conduct ordinance.

The issue has gained even more steam now that five Grab-N-Go baristas from the Everett stand were charged this week in Everett Municipal Court with prostitution after a lengthy undercover investigation by Everett police. And Thursday, a sixth Grab-N-Go barista from a Lynnwood-area espresso stand was arraigned on an indecent-exposure charge.

Since July, a group of undercover Everett police officers has frequented the Grab-N-Go stand near Everett Mall after complaints that baristas were exposing themselves for cash or working completely nude, according to an Everett police report. The undercover officers who paid extra say the female baristas stripped naked, fondling each other and exposing themselves, according to a police report. A $20 "whip cream show" featured a barista licking whipped cream off a co-worker's groin and breast, police allege.

Baristas also charged to play "basketball," in which customers threw wadded cash, and baristas caught it in underwear or bikini bottoms, police said.

The Everett City Prosecutor's office charged the women with prostitution because money was exchanged for "sex acts," said an Everett police spokesman.

The women charged in Everett Municipal Court are Samantha Lancaster, Alexis Quigley, Kristina Evenson, Leloni Bailey and Dana Fitzpatrick. Paperwork didn't list ages or cities of residence, although all are between 18 and 24 years old.

The barista charged with indecent exposure, Bridget Barnhouse, 26, was seen "shaking her butt" toward traffic July 10 while outside the stand at 11323 Highway 99, court papers say. The Snohomish woman was wearing a G-string and pasties, charges allege.

Barnhouse and her attorney declined to comment Thursday after her arraignment in Everett District Court.

Bill Wheeler, owner of the four Grab-N-Go stands in Snohomish County, called the charges "B.S." and said that he supports the six employees facing misdemeanor charges. "These are all college girls who are trying to make a living," Wheeler said. "We're a coffee stand, not a strip club." Read more>

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Jessica Watson sets sail on solo record attempt

Schoolgirl skipper, 16, sets sail in global quest

Story by: CHRISTINE KELLETT

September 8, 2009

Queensland schoolgirl Jessica Watson, 16, on her yacht. Photo: Eddie Safarik

Schoolgirl skipper Jessica Watson has pushed off from Mooloolaba Wharf today on a week-long test run ahead of her record attempt to circumnavigate the globe on her own.

Ms Watson, 16, of Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast, hopes to become the youngest person ever to sail around the world unassisted in her 10-metre sloop Ella's Pink Lady when it leaves Sydney for the Tasman Sea later this month.

She will spend the next 10 days sailing south - the longest time she has spent on her own aboard the pink-coloured yacht.

The "rules" she has set for herself include only using wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed on the 22,000-nautical-mile journey. She will also have to carry out her own repairs.

Ms Watson has just left her berth.

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'Yes I can': schoolgirl's solo quest
Jessica's solo sail 'irresponsible'
Dutch skipper, 13, banned from voyage
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"Everyone's been asking whether I'm feeling nervous but to be honest, I just can't wait to leave," Ms Watson wrote in her blog, which she will use to log her voyage, expected to take seven months.

"I plan on taking around 10 days to sail down to Sydney so that I get plenty of time on the water the test all the systems and give Ella's Pink Lady a good run in."

Ms Watson, who was 15 when she announced her solo ambition in May, has polarised public opinion on the safety of a teenager sailing around the world by herself.

Her decision, which has the full backing of her mother Julie and father Roger, has attracted criticism from parents groups.

The debate was reignited last month when a Dutch court blocked 13-year-old Laura Dekker's attempt to set her own solo sailing world record, citing "serious concerns" and temporarily placing her in state care.

Ms Watson hopes to shave a year off the current record set by Victorian Jesse Martin, who completed his solo voyage in 1999, aged 18.

Her yacht is the same design as that used in Mr Martin's successful journey.

Ms Watson spent the weekend packing food supplies onto the boat and will stay in constant contact via a satellite phone, her spokeswoman said.

"She's fully outfitted," the spokeswoman said, citing internet access including a web cam.

"She's done a couple of solo sails already, she's taken [the boat] out for a couple of days on her own.

"She's on a pretty tight schedule and the trip has been delayed a few times due to the weather."

A mission statement posted on Ms Watson's website acknowledges the dangers of the journey.

"In her quest, to reach what is considered the absolute pinnacle of sailing, Jessica will pit herself against mother nature and all she can deliver including the notorious Southern Ocean as well as the physical and psychological demands of eight months alone at sea," the statement reads.

"In doing so, Jessica wants to show that even the most gentle among us can achieve great things and with determination and the support of those around us can live our dreams."

Mother Julie said she was relieved to see her daughter head out of Mooloolaba.

"I'm feeling so happy we've got to the start line,'' she told ABC radio.

"Preparations have gone so well and she's in the right space.''

- with AAP

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