Collision woke teen yachtie

Jessica Watson faces a 38,000km trip. Photo / Getty Images

Jessica Watson was asleep when her yacht crashed into a bulk carrier on September 9, transport safety officials have found.

Watson, 16, is on the third day of her attempt to sail solo non-stop around the world.

Her trip has sparked much controversy. Concern peaked last month when her yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne cargo vessel off North Stradbroke Island during her first attempt to sail from the Gold Coast to Sydney.

"The collision woke Ella's Pink Lady's skipper," a preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found.

Investigators found, as well as keeping better watch, electronic detectability of the yacht was also an issue in the collision.

- AAP