News

Jessica inspires record bid

Chris Kaszubski (2010-01-27 15:31:35)


Having been inspired by Jessica Watson's quest to become the youngest ever to achieve a solo unassisted global circumnavigation, I have decided to put together a plan of my own.

Having a flick through the Guinness Book of Records the other day I realised that there are so many different records out there and began thinking about which one I would like to attempt.
Being 34, I am definitely out of the running to beat her record as the youngest sailor, but it occurred to me that my 6 month old son Tom, is well within a chance.

I consider myself rather handy in the back shed and have drawn up plans to fit out a yacht capable of safely sailing around the world with Tom on board.

The main safety / living compartment of the "Vicarious" will hold a harness in which my naked boy will be suspended. This compartment will be kept at a optimum temperature and humidity for Tom's maximum comfort and the harness will be mounted on a self righting frame which will ensure that even if the yacht is knocked down in force 10 storms, my little boy will remain in an upright position.

At periodic intervals food and water will be dispensed, for which I will teach him to suck on the feeding tube when an alarm sounds. Very Pavlov's dog approach, but he is already in training to associate the sound with meal times and it appears to be working well.

Once every 3 days a warm water shower will bathe his body and a warm air fan will dry him off.

The whole yacht will be provisioned with enough stores to last the non stop journey and we will be able to monitor Tom through a satellite internet camera link up.

As well as providing him with reassuring visual and aural comfort from his parents, will be able to stream the video live on his own website.

We have started to wean him off our company to get him used to being away form us for extended periods of time by leaving him locked in the car with a CD recording of us talking playing through the audio system.

The yacht's navigation will be taken care by a GPS plotter, backed up with a another GPS unit for safety. These will be interfaced with automated controls linked to all the necessary parts like rudder, sails, engine, etc and a central computer system will make the necessary adjustments to keep the yacht on its course. A radar and sonar system will also be incorporated so that any potential collisions can be avoided. I considered fitting a satellite manual remote control override system, which would enable me to take the reins if needed, but when I realised this would compromise the "unassisted" aspect of the journey, I decided against it as it would make him ineligible to take the record.

All things going well, Tom will set sail at the ripe age of 9 months and upon his return, will be crowned the world's youngest ever human to have achieved a solo unassisted global circumnavigation!

"I can just imagine the two of us sitting together when Tom's old enough to drink, sharing a couple of beers in the backyard and Tom looking at me, saying "Thanks Dad, I’m so proud of you for letting me have this amazing opportunity in life. You're the best."

[go back...]

Deegan Marine Boat Show this weekend 14 and 15 August : Deegan Marine cash capsule (hourly draw) Fishcare with kids magnetic fishing Live trout display by the Young Anglers development club
Scallop dive fatality off Bruny: A MOONAH man has died while diving for scallops in the d'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Young Tasmanian sailors around the World - Update: Tasmanian sailors Zac Pullen from Hobart and Angus Barton from Launceston are well down the overall standings after the third day of competition in the Laser Radial World Youth Championships being sailed at Largs, Scotland.
Forty boats brave mid-winter on the Derwent: Derwent Sailing Squadron's third race of its Winter Pennants update: Like winter racing anywhere in Australia, the winds cometh and goeth.
26-metre 'Cat Cocos' ferry designed by Incat Crowther: To be built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine, 'Cat Cocos III' will be the third vessel Incat Crowther has designed for the operator.
Team Whistler gaining ground in British Three Peaks: Team Whistler, Australia’s sole entry in the British Three Peaks Race, tonight are steadily gaining ground on the leading UK boats as they sail up the rugged coast of Scotland on the final on-water leg of the challenging combination of short-handed sail
British Three Peaks - Tasmania's Team Whistler win first sailing leg: Team Whistler from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania has won the first sailing leg of the British Three Peaks Race, from Barmouth to Caernarfon in Wales, with its runners started out on the cross country run and steep climb to the top of Mount Snowdon and
Team Whistler leading British Three Peaks race: Hobart yachtsman David Rees and his team face a unique experience in the British Three Peaks Race that starts in Wales tonight – 'taking an ocean racer white water rafting.'
Austal closing Tassie doors: SHIPBUILDER Austal has this morning announced it will close its Tasmanian operations.
The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania – Dramatic women’s sailing regatta: Experienced Hobart yachtswoman Lisa Blackwood today won a hard-fought and, at times, dramatic Sargison Jewellers Tasmanian women’s keelboat regatta on a windswept Derwent River that saw two ‘women overboard’ incidents.