Laura Dekker

[GordMay]

At a hearing Monday, Miss Dekker’s lawyer Peter de Lange argued that she has been working to meet 14 conditions imposed by the court nine months ago.

She has obtained a first aid diploma, become accustomed to lack of sleep, and arranged to follow schoolwork via Internet, he said.

However, today Dutch judges extended the ban on 14-year-old Laura leaving on a bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo.

The court in Middelburg ruled that the safety risks for Laura Dekker were still too high.

It granted an application by child protection services to retain Dekker under its supervision for an extra month until August 1.

➥ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100617/wl_afp/netherlandscourtchildyachtingrecord_20100617134301

[David M]

Interesting point. Under the law in most countries parents are responsible for the protection of their children until they turn 18. If their children get hurt because of their negligence then I think it could very well be a legitimate case against them.

Parents should be responsible for the protection of their children, both ethically and legally and held liable for putting them in highly risky situations.

[mikereed100]

At 14 she has her own lawyer. What more preparation for a circumnavigation could a child possibly need? Plus, she's been dreaming of this all her life since she was 12.

Mike

[TaoJones]

Just for the record, Laura Dekker will be 15 years-old in three months (born 20 September 1995, according to Wikipedia).

Laura Dekker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

TaoJones

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

Plus, she's been dreaming of this all her life since she was 12.

Mike

So was I!!!

Hang on..... No, I was dreaming of Suzi Quatro and I was 13.........

[SaltyMonkey]

Absolutely, When I was 15 I was dreaming this my WHOLE LIFE since I was 14!

doh! =O

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Just for the record, Laura Dekker will be 15 years-old in three months (born 20 September 1995, according to Wikipedia).

That doesn't change anything.

Excepting the state of Queensland (according to some) she is a minor until she is 18 and her parents are LEGALLY responsible for her welfare. Her parents need to be reminded of this simple fact.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by mintyspilot

That doesn't change anything.

Well, it changed the title of this thread from "Laura Dekker (13)" to "Laura Dekker."

TaoJones

[Sabbatical II]

I think it's high time to send the goat around. Once that's accomplished everyone will know sailing around the world must be child's play so where's the challenge?

Greg

[slomotion]

Well, she has a boat. She has sponsors. She has a web site. And she claims to have been born on a boat - so we know she has nutty parents. What more could she possibly need?

[s/v Beth]

A GPS/chartplotter intergrated into an autopilot with a AIS/ avoidance program. And don't forget the VHF/marine HAM that will radio twice a day and get instructions from the ground crew. Then if there are clouds on the horizon, she can go below and sleep it off :0

[SaltyMonkey]

I think with some ingenuity we can turn the whole craft into remote control device, similar to the drones in the war. Remote video and the like.

[anotherT34C]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

I think with some ingenuity we can turn the whole craft into remote control device, similar to the drones in the war. Remote video and the like.

Has anybody done that yet??

In all seriousness, that might be pretty cool. An automated/RC yacht race around the world.

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Well, it changed the title of this thread from "Laura Dekker (13)" to "Laura Dekker."

TaoJones

Not quite what I meant..... Seriously though, what would the authorities do if her parents went away for 3 or 4 months and left her to live in their house completely alone, unattended by adults with enough money to pay the bills? Suppose they left her is a house where she had to fix things every few days or where some of the things (electric, gas, etc) could kill her. What would happen? It's not like she does not have experience of living in a house. She's done it since babyhood.

We all know what would happen. Child services would put her in care and her parents would be arrested on their return for child neglect. If she had been injured in their absence they might be charged with something more serious.

So why is it OK to toss her out to live on her own for 3 to 4 months with no adult support in a "house" that needs attention every few days and in which some of the repairs could injure or kill her? Just because it is a boat doesn't make it OK.

To be honest I'm reaching the conclusion that the best thing is to let these people risk their kids' lives sailing around the place until one of the kids gets badly injured or killed. It's a d*mn stupid way to work but it seems that nobody wants to make these parents step up to their responsibilities and are unlikely to do so until circumstance forces them.

There is no need to change *maritime* law. What needs doing is to enforce existing laws on child safety and parental responsibility. The parents of these kids cannot say "Well we couldn't stop her". Of course they could. She cannot sign legal contracts without a parent's countersignature, nor does she have a credit card. Financing, purchasing, legal stuff, etc would all require an adult signature. Her parents cannot duck responsibility.

I'm not just getting at Laura Dekker either. The above applies to ALL children and legal minors. Parents - all parents - have responsibilities towards their children.

[GordMay]

Very well said (#29), mintyspilot.