Kiwi eye on round-world sailor

Maritime New Zealand will monitor the progress of Australian teenager Jessica Watson as she passes by New Zealand in her attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

The 16-year-old yesterday set off from Sydney in her yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, with a plan to be back around the middle of next year without having touched land.

Her voyage will remain largely in the Southern Hemisphere, covering about 23,000 nautical miles or 38,000km.

She first sails into northern New Zealand waters before heading to Fiji, Samoa, South America and South Africa, and then on to the final 7400km leg back to Australia.

Maritime New Zealand spokesman Ross Henderson said once the yacht entered the New Zealand search and rescue area they would be watching its progress.

"I'm not saying we're watching her every minute, but we're keeping an eye on it," he said. "If she does happen to get into trouble then we would provide assistance as we would with anybody who was in distress."

- NZPA