Watson did not see bulk carrier approaching

Miss Watson's yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, had been sailing to Sydney when, on September 9 at about 0150 hrs, she collided with Silver Yang about 15 nautical miles east of Point Lookout on the North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, the report said.

At about 0146 hrs, the 16-year-old had checked the radar before sleeping and had noted there was a vessel six miles off her starboard quarter and, while she could not see her, she had monitored her progress on the radar for a minute.

"Once she had determined that it did not present a collision risk, she set the radar guard-rings, set her alarm clocks and then went to bed again," ATSB said.

"However, she had not detected Silver Yang, which was now about 1 mile to the south-southeast of her position."

The Silver Yang, carrying coal, had been on her way from Newcastle to China when the incident occurred.

No one was injured.

According to the report, the Silver Yang had detected a green light on the radar at about 0125 hrs and, at 0148 hrs, the ship's direction had been altered in an attempt to avoid Ella's Pink Lady but, shortly after, the yacht's bow had collided with the bulk carrier's port side mid section.

The Hong Kong Marine Department had assisted the ATSB with the investigation by providing relevant information such as data from Silver Yang's voyage data recorder, the ATSB said.

The focus of the bureau's continued investigation will include:

• the electronic detectability of the yacht;
• the lookout being kept on board both vessels;
• adherence to the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea;
• collision risk assessment; 
• actions taken following the collision.

Miss Watson left Sydney in Ella's Pink Lady on Sunday in a bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo.