The family of 16-year-old sailor Jessica Watson says she is still determined to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, despite hitting a bulk carrier after less than 24 hours at sea.

Ms Watson's damaged yacht limped into harbour on the Gold Coast at about midday after the collision with a merchant ship east of Queensland's Stradbroke Island in the small hours of this morning.

The 34-foot Pink Lady was escorted through the Southport Seaway by Water Police and marine rescue boats and will now undergo repairs after the collision snapped its mast and damaged the deck.

Ms Watson was spending her first night at sea en route from Mooloolaba to Sydney, where she planned to officially start her round-the-world quest, when the collision happened.

Watson family spokesman Scott Young says the accident will not stop her attempt at a world record.

"I don't think anyone in their right mind would be brave enough to stop Jessica making this journey," he said.

"It's been something she's been focused on for many years. Those that believe that this is something that she's dreamt up overnight don't know Jessica or the family."

A statement on Ms Watson's website reads: "Early this morning Jessica Watson had an incident at sea whilst in transit from Mooloolaba to Sydney.

"Her 34-foot yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, came together with a 225-metre cargo ship.

"Ella's Pink Lady is currently under motor to a south east Queensland port. Jessica is fine and remains as committed as ever to commence her voyage as soon as her yacht can be repaired."

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is investigating allegations that the merchant ship did not stop after the collision.

Solo yachtsman and Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan says Ms Watson is a "plucky young Australian" who is obviously well prepared and has survived "an incredibly threatening situation".

Mr Kiernan says he hopes the accident won't be enough to deter Jessica from her adventure, but in these cases it is really up to the sailor to get out of the way.

"Evasive action is the way that I think you should go, because you're the pea against the sledge hammer," he said.

"Those bulk carriers - the line of sight from the bridge, they probably can't see anything in front of the bow of the ship for perhaps 50 or 100 metres.

"She has handled a very difficult situation - to be dismasted with a full crew is bad enough but to dismasted on your own is - fortunately I've never been dismasted when I've been on my own - but it would be an incredibly threatening situation."

An AMSA spokesman says it is still unclear who was at fault in the accident.