Posted on 06/10/2010 1:34:22 PM PDT by Jotmo
Rescuers searched Thursday for a 16-year-old Southern California girl feared missing while attempting a solo sail around the world.
Family spokesman Christian Pinkston said the search began for Abby Sunderland somewhere between Africa and Australia after emergency beacons were activated overnight and there was a loss of communication.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
>>The canoe trip was more remote.<<
Simple tip for canoe trips: When you hear banjo music, paddle faster.
Remember Jessica Dubroff....1996? Seven years old...was to be the youngest pilot to fly across the US....crashed....dead. The media got slammed after a day or two...carrying this story that everyone said was stupid. Why not allow five-year old kids to fly? That was the point when the whole story died off.
Three weeks ago...some 15-year old kid climbed Mt Everest. I felt the same way...there will be a 13-year old kid eventually....and he’ll fall to his death....then what?
Might as well allow a 9-year old kid sail alone around the world....just to be different.
I don’t buy any of these stories anymore.
Kids are not adults.
Parents are suppose to be responsible for their kids.
Some people seem to forget that.
Nope.
Emergency Rescue Effort is Launched for Teen Sailor Abby Sunderland (16 years Old and Alone)
endured multiple knockdowns in 60-knot winds
Sunderland had been sailing in 50- to 60-foot seas and it was dark when the EPIRB devices were activated.
“I think they were reasonable and not dumping.”
Agreed. I would hope that the parents (or the girl) are not in it for the fame or the money. Although I guess I could go for the fame with the girl. Although I am sure she has just the motivation of adventure, to prove to herself her capabilities, to grow. And as I said, it does seem young to me to be out in the middle of the ocean by yourself. Although it is probably just as dangerous for an older person as well by themselves.
She has obviously proven that she is a capable sailor. Of course all it takes is one unlucky blow no matter what the age and the trip becomes life or death. Just like me and my solo journeys if I had gotten lost or broke a leg.
I would have no problem with her going on this voyage...as long as I had another boat watching over her. Even experienced sailors lose sometimes.
I salute her courage. I hope she makes it.
I wouldn’t want to live in a homogenized safe adventureless world where kids can’t do anything remotely dangerous.
Holy cow, I had no idea it could take that long to get help out to her. She’s really out there. Prayers for her safety. Even if she’s ok she’s facing a long time to survive on her own.
Jessica Dubroff (God rest her soul) was the first one I thought of too when I saw this story.
Prayers for Abby’s safe return - recriminations can come later.
This IS child endangerment. It’s completely irresponsible. Not just the parents, but also any other adult who actively enabled this insane expedition, should face criminal charges. This is obviously not something the girl just undertook on her own, without her parents’ knowledge or approval — it required a huge amount of money and advance planning. Any responsible parent would have stopped her, and would have threatened legal action against any other adults who were enabling this.
I'm sure she's remembering tips from her bro from his voyage and she's just fine. And she's hearing our prayers, too.
She’s SIXTEEN! And frankly, there no sane reason for anyone to do something like this *alone* at any age.
Same age as my grandaughter. God Speed!!
I wrote earlier that I would have had another boat with her.
I remembered Robin Lee Graham’s voyage in the National Geographic in the late 60’s. Started out in 1965 as a 16 year old. It took almost 5 years to sail around the world.
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