Laura (13) Ready for Solo 'Round the World

[sokkum]

Laura Dekker a 13y old girl from the Netherlands will start the 1st of September 2009 for a circumnavigation. She was raised aboard their parents sailboat while they were doing a circumnavigation and back in Holland her father bought her a Hurley 700 and she sailed around the inland waters and crossing the North Sea channel to the UK and back on her own. In the media she appeared to be a very capable, clever and sensible girl very well trained by her father...but...but...there are rules concerning compulsory education and the dutch organization for the protection of children (Kinderbescherming) brought this case to court and the judge will decide today to let her go or not. What's your opinion if she was your daughter ?
I say: ok, i'll light a candle each day you'r at sea but: GO for it girl !
Follow her on her website: LauraDekker.nl de Jongste solozeiler ter wereld! (alive soon)

[anjou]

If she entered US waters for instance, would authorities take her into care in the way they would on land if her parent/s/guardian were not present to be her legal carer? Im not doubting her sailing abilities but questioning the legal status.

[neilpride]

13 years old! looks like a race to be the younger child to circunnavigate ,13 is a baby, but if she is ready to do that, Go for it!!

[Tellie]

Shaking head.

[anotherT34C]

No way. There's plenty of time to circumnavigate when she's >18. Don't give this meme the attention it so craves.

[Morgan Paul]

She looks young and small.

[Charlie]

13 is just a number of years. real question is her maturity. i have a brother who is 44 and i wouldnt trust him to walk past a liquor store much less circumnavigate the globe. some 13 y/o yes others no. problem is the price she pays if she cant do it. i would be afraid if my daughter wanted to do it -- but i would make sure she had the knowledge/skills she needed and then say yes as i cholked back tears.

[Fishman_Tx]

Nuts! Completely and utterly Nuts! Maturity AND ability apply and I'm not talking just seamanship. Body strength and endurance ability are also significant if not determining factors.

[S/V Illusion]

What kind of an idiot would let their child do this? Some people just should not be allowed to be parents.

[David M]

You guys probably already know my opinion.

[anjou]

What is she trying to prove and whos approval is she trying to gain? I wouldnt let my 13 yr old daughter run away to sea alone.

[MacG]

Originally Posted by Charlie

13 is just a number of years. real question is her maturity. i have a brother who is 44 and i wouldnt trust him to walk past a liquor store much less circumnavigate the globe. some 13 y/o yes others no. problem is the price she pays if she cant do it. i would be afraid if my daughter wanted to do it -- but i would make sure she had the knowledge/skills she needed and then say yes as i cholked back tears.

Charlie, I have put your heartwarming reply on the biggest sailor's forum of Holland.
Because everyone is square against her planned voyage and meanwhile the Dutch Government is already interfering. Nevertheless, I have a friend who has a granddaughter with similar capacities although she is not older than 9 or 10.
What to say......

[David M]

This is so predictable. I should start buying Lotto tickets. I don't think the people involved are prepared for a very real possibility.

[George Wade]

Originally Posted by anjou

What is she trying to prove and whos approval is she trying to gain? I wouldnt let my 13 yr old daughter run away to sea alone.

My great uncle ran away to sea at the same kind of age. When he was caught and taken home, he just bade his time and ran away again; went further, and didn't come home for a long time.

Of course, he didn't try single handing the square riggers that were all the rage back then. He would probably approve of Laura: but I think we've over done the single handed romance. It would make more sense to have small crews. They'd have to finish before becoming 16, wouldn't they?

If the court stops her: she'll have to try again during a school vacation, from a more mature country. France or Spain would do? If not there is always Brazil.

[David M]

"Mature" is allowing a child to do something which could quite possibly result in death? I consider that to be "irresponsible" which is a sign of immaturity.

Does anyone who is for this acknowledge that the younger they are the more likely they are to die?

How far must his be pushed for it to make any sense?

Why not stop now before someone dies?

Why does it seem to be the case that in out society that a tragedy must occur first before action is taken to prevent it from happening again? Isn't being proactive better then being reactive?