Sailing around Cape Horn in his Sparkman & Stephens yacht during a solo world circumnavigation, the realisation of “Well shoot, if I can dream of this and get to here…what else can I do?” was the confidence booster that Jesse Martin, then just 17, sought on such a huge day. Reminiscing about that personal milestone as we sit on a remote island in Papua New Guinea, he muses “Yeah, it was pretty inspiring…”
Inspiration and the desire to fulfil his dreams are what drive Jesse, now 25. The founder of both a media production company and a sailing charter, Jesse has also been planning a solo expedition across the Arctic; a venture which he says is down to a matter of timing to fit around his other projects.
Travelling via traditional methods of dogsled and canoe, he estimates the trip should take nine months based around his calculations for distances and food. “Until I get over there, get the dogs and feel what it’s like, I can’t do much more than that”.
Unlike his sailing voyage, where he had very little mental or physical training due to getting the trip up and running, this time will see him spend four months in the Arctic preparing and getting used to the cold which will include putting on some weight.
“I’ll have to drink some beer!” he joked.
Away from the lure of snow, Jesse is currently working on production of a traditional film project shot around the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea, where his adventure sailing charter is based. His passion for the region began at the age of 16, embarking on a kayaking trip with his brother to help raise funds for his world record attempt. Encountering difficulty in getting sponsorship, the idea was born to film a documentary as they kayaked 250km along the eastern islands of New Guinea.
Having accomplished his solo voyage, Jesse then invested in a 38-foot Polynesian-style catamaran from the Philippines and sailed back to the area of Kavieng, returning to the largely unexplored islands and wildness he so fondly remembers.
A quintessential way to experience of the last frontiers in the world, Imajica Charters has gained keen interest ranging from intrepid individuals to the Getaway television program on Channel Nine. Jesse wants guests to get involved in all aspects of living aboard Imajica, from planning the route and sampling local cultures to learning navigation and taking the helm, offering a real ‘all hands on deck’ experience.
The business has recently gone into partnership, and after signing each other up but not having met in person, Jesse Martin and Mark McPherson finally met in Kavieng 15 months ago.
From near death experiences in treacherous seas, tropical sailing expeditions to prospective dog-sledding across the Arctic wilderness, one thing is for sure. Jesse Martin loves the H20 whatever state it is in. As he says himself, “You’ve got to do what it takes”.