Laura Dekker's Circumnavigation

[deckofficer]

That is what I've told her. She visited Tania Abei last month in Vermont and both of her sons are currently enrolled at Maine Maritime Academy for Engineering. Her boys didn't have much interest in maritime careers, but a couple of years back they sailed with her for 6 months and their dad for 6 months, and after that introduction to cruising they changed their minds. In an email, Tania told me she talked to Laura about merchant shipping.

[Astrid]

I hear Texas A&M has or at least had a good maritime program as well.

[deckofficer]

Your correct Astrid, at least when I was at CMA. I don't know the current status of their program, but one of the academies got a sister ship to our latest Golden Bear with an odd ball medium speed diesel that they had to de-rate to a lower rpm and horsepower like we did for engine longevity.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I hear Texas A&M has or at least had a good maritime program as well.

In my humble opinion, Mass or Maine Maritime Academies the best on this planet. Not only do you have the cold North Atlantic stormy seas to play with, but you also have affiliate programs with MIT and a host of other nearby universities to enjoy. If you want to be a sea captain, New England pioneered in the field. Now where is my whale harpoon?

[deckofficer]

Being a grad of CMA I have to vote for my school. SF Bay sailing, plus crazy currents at our docks.

[goboatingnow]

Everything in the colonies is way too young. !!!

Dave

[deckofficer]

OK Dave, which maritime school world wide would be the maritime academy?

[goboatingnow]

Id say Warsash Maritime Academy Southampton, many fine men of the British Merchant Marine trained there, on the go since 1850.

[Jim Cate]

I thought that Laura was in NZed...

Jim

[deckofficer]

She is. Just moved from Whangarei to Auckland earlier this week.

[Hirophant]

Originally Posted by Astrid

sounds not unlike Abraham Lincoln at about that age

I hope she doesn't share his interest in the Theatre!

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Hirophant

I hope she doesn't share his interest in the Theatre!

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

[Hammond]

Laura Dekker speaks at Bürgerkulturzentrum Windeck (Germany) on October 6, 2013

Laura Dekker - Vortrag im Bürgerkulturzentrum Windeck - YouTube

English transcript of the video.

[MacG]

She is still very modest. What's next?

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by MacG

She is still very modest. What's next?

Hey MacG long time no talk my friend.

Last I heard (via her blog) upon returning to NZ she got two invites to sail, one from folks on a catamaran and another from an older sailing couple she knew from her travels. I would have liked to know what she thought of cat sailing but she choose to sail with George and Ellen aboard Wind Dancer. Flew out to Tahiti and sailed back to NZ with them.