Posted on 06/12/2010 7:04:01 AM PDT by jimbo123
A French fishing vessel rescued a California teenager Saturday from her crippled sailboat in the turbulent southern Indian Ocean, bringing relief to her family but ending her around-the-world sailing effort.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Safe to assume she's had sailing lessons for years, though.
Indeed the French sailors are heroes.
Indulgent parents allowing this kid to go off in an expensive yacht just because she WANTED to.
Freedom is not about some arbitary age - at least to me. There are mature teenagers with excellent judgement that is superior to many “adults” and others who lack common sense. There are people in the 30s or 40s who have excellent judgement and many how do not.
At 16, a person is allowed to get a drivers license and go where and when they please. At 16, I could qualify for a pilot’s license - fly a plane solo whenever and where ever I want. A boat is no different to me. I could fly a plane within my home state or across the country, and why not across the world? Same with a boat - just need advanced skills. I applaud this young lady.
Where did all these FR wackos come from??? Child labor laws? Are you serious?? Assume you think it is same when a 16 year takes the family car to the grocery or on a date?
There does seem to be a lot of anger directed her way. She’s not a child, she’s 16. In other era’s she would be considered an adult - possibly married and raising kids already. She made the choice’s for her life, took her own risks, and in the end fell short of her goal. She should be celebrated, not insulted.
No. If I had simply stated that this was dangerous without a knowledgeable reference, would you accept it? No. I will not be back to hear you cheer on stupidity as if she did the world a great service. She didn't. This was a self-serving act that endangered others.
Lots of interesting comments at the link you posted. Thanks!
Hey everyone, Sorry I haven't written in so long as you probably already know I had a pretty rough couple of days. I can't write much now as I am typing on a french key pad as well as trying to stay seated in a bouncy fishing boat.
The long and the short of it is, well, one long wave, and one short mast (short meaning two inch stub.) I'll write a more detailed blog later, just wanted to let every one know I am safe and sound on a great big fishing boat headed I am not exactly sure where.
Crazy is the word that really describes everything that has happened best.
Within a few minutes of being on board the fishing boat, I was already getting calls from the press. I don't know how they got the number but it seems everybody is eager to pounce on my story now that something bad has happened.
There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more. The truth is, I was in a storm and you don't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm. It wasn't the time of year it was just a Southern Ocean storm. Storms are part of the deal when you set out to sail around the world.
As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?
I keep hitting the wrong keys and am still trying to get over the fact that I will never see my Wild Eyes again. So Ill write more later.
Abby
---------------------------------------------- To my mind she's a pretty amazing kid/girl/woman. I admire her greatly. Thank G-d we still have people like her (and her parents in this country). Whatever her motivations or her source of financing, she tried to do something great, like climbing Mt Everest, or being world's fastest race-car driver. I rather think some of the carpers here are secretly jealous of her. I know I am.
Spoiled kid.
Her first post since being rescued and she’s worried more about her lost boat than all of the people who put themselves at risk trying to save her. Including the captain of the boat who fell into the ocean trying to rescue her.
It’s telling that she didn’t thank any of her rescuers.
Shame on her and her family.
***...this child, whose parents should lose custody of her immediately for letting her put her life in danger.***
I am reminded of the 11 year old girl who tried to fly around the world with her dad as co-pilot. She crashed and burned in Cheyenne or Laramie, WY.
One has to be able to make use of that technology.
Why is that so hard to understand?
Like Theodore Roosevelt said critics don’t produce anything but criticism - after the fact - and thus don’t count in the big scheme of things. It’s always been the doer of deeds that produces what really counts. The spirit of the doer of deeds - not the spirit of criticism - produced all the wonderful things even critics take for granted. Like Blennos said in post 170 jealousy is a root of criticism. People need to be honest about that. It’s said that America has turned into a nation that loves success but hates successful people. Sad.
I remember that one, too.
I agree with you. I asked myself— if there were lots more kids in the world like this girl, would we all be better or worse off? The world would be better, of course.
Sure, she could die. Many, many girls her age will find even more utterly pointless and futile ways to die— drugs, drinking, driving recklessly... If only some more of them had some of the stuff this girl is made of— maybe they wouldn’t have.
Great post. The critics here remind of mosquitoes buzzing around a person of achievement, trying to suck a little blood. But we will remember the deeds of the Abbys of the world, the ones who succeed in their quest and even the ones who fail, but fail magnificently, with bravery and honor. But who will remember the pitiful flies buzzing around the great man, finding their own pathetic version of glory in their proximity to greatness, adding nothing, annoying, but, after all is said and done, worthless.
The only person who died on the Mayflower was a teenager.
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