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Teen sailor Abby Sunderland focus of emergency rescue effort
Pete Thomas Outdoors ^ | June 10, 2010 | Pete Thomas

Posted on 06/10/2010 10:19:33 AM PDT by ml/nj

A rescue effort has been launched in hope of finding Abby Sunderland, 16, who set off her emergency beacon locating devices from the southern Indian Ocean early this morning.

Sunderland, who had been attempting to sail around the world alone, endured multiple knockdowns in 60-knot winds yesterday (Thursday local time) before conditions briefly abated.

However, her parents lost satellite phone contact early this morning and an hour later were notified by the Coast Guard at French-controlled Reunion Islands that both of Sunderland's EPIRB satellite devices had been activated.

One apparently is attached to a survival suit and meant to be used when a person is in the water or a life raft.

Abby's father struggled with emotions and said he didn't know if his daughter was in a life raft or aboard the boat, or whether the boat was upside down.

"Everything seemed to be under control," Laurence Sunderland said. "But then our call dropped and a hour later the Coast Guard called."

Abby is hundreds of miles from land. The rescue effort is being coordinated by the Reunion Islands and Australia. Sunderland had been sailing in 50- to 60-foot seas and it was dark when the EPIRB devices were activated.

The Sunderlands are asking people to pray for their daughter, a high-school junior from Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Abby was for several months one of two 16-year-olds attempting to sail around the world alone. Australia's Jessica Watson completed her journey last month, just days before turning 17.

Abby's brother Zac, who graduated from high school, completed a solo-circumnavigation last summer at 17.

The timing of Abby's trip was criticized by some because it was placing her in the middle of the Indian Ocean when the stormy Southern Hemisphere winter was at hand.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abby; abbysunderland; missing; prayer; rescue; sail; sailing; sailor; teen; zacsunderland
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To: GunRunner

RE: “The idea that you would compare seat belt laws to this situation is maddeningly stupid. As a salty sea dog yourself, you should understand the comparison to a 16 year old girl alone in the middle of the ocean is insultingly irrelevant.

I support the government stepping in only when the “standards of safety” for some people are so mind-numbingly obtuse that they can’t possibly be defended. Such is the case here.

Yes, I will absolutely step in when you let your child do something that will likely kill them. If you want your 12 year old daughter to wrestle crocodiles because “she loves it”, I would gladly support the cops slapping cuffs on your irresponsible ass.”

***************

Post after post here reminds us that the 16 year old sailor is a GIRL. I’m betting we’d all be hearing a lot less outrage from many of you if this particular Sunderland were MALE and 16.


181 posted on 06/11/2010 12:57:00 AM PDT by CaliforniaCon
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To: GunRunner
Freedom does not involve letting children under 18 put themselves in uncontrolled, dangerous, and volatile situations that they couldn't possibly be prepared for.

First of all she is prepared, so you don't know what you are talking about.

As for "children" under 18, they're only children in your mind because you've been brainwashed. I was totally capable of knowing what I could do and what I couldn't do when I was 18 years old. (I'm 60+ now.) It's not up to you or some "great minds" in the government to decide who is capable and who isn't. Read the biographies of some of the Framers (Maybe start with Franklin?). It's a good thing for all of us that they weren't warehoused until they were 18 or 21.

ML/NJ

182 posted on 06/11/2010 3:43:43 AM PDT by ml/nj
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To: paul51

I am sorry, I don’t want to argue with you but I will take your statement to the next logical step. If your blanket statement is true, then the United States sends physiologically-impaired teens to war everyday. 18 year old young men and women are fighting for US right now. Should we raise the age of recruits to 20, 25, 30? I know a whole bunch of 30 year olds that I wouldn’t trust to take care of my dog. You cannot make blanket statements like that. Every human being is different.


183 posted on 06/11/2010 4:53:01 AM PDT by georgiagirl_pam
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To: CaliforniaCon
A ship in a harbor is safe; but that is not what ships are for.

BTTT - Bump To The Top

184 posted on 06/11/2010 6:10:20 AM PDT by Screaming_Gerbil (...he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one... Luke 22:36)
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To: GunRunner

Thak God she is OK!


185 posted on 06/11/2010 6:52:01 AM PDT by DariusBane (Even the Rocks shall cry out "Hobamma to the Highest")
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To: georgiagirl_pam
no one said anything about impaired. Just because a 2 yr old doesn't have the same capacity of an adult doesn't mean they are impaired. They are normal. Also 16 is not the same as 18 or we would send the 16 yr olds along with the 18 yr olds and finally, we don't make the 18 yr olds generals.
186 posted on 06/11/2010 6:54:11 AM PDT by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
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Comment #187 Removed by Moderator

To: Locomotive Breath

“Prolly dismasted.”

You were absolutely correct. Yay, Abby is alive. She’s OKAY.


188 posted on 06/11/2010 12:28:26 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
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To: MWestMom

I agree with you but we might as well have been talking to the wall. Why people want to argue instead of help is beyond me. They can’t get their minds off themselves and their opinions long enough to face reality when needed.

Thankfully, the Aussies also reserved judgment and got out there pronto to find precious Abigail. This is the best outcome we could have wished for, and scarcely dared to believe in. I am so glad Abby is coming home.


189 posted on 06/11/2010 12:32:45 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
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To: al baby

Beautiful prayer, and yes, we see it was heard.


190 posted on 06/11/2010 12:34:30 PM PDT by thecodont
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To: ml/nj

Her parents should be sent a bill.


191 posted on 06/11/2010 12:38:51 PM PDT by DemonDeac
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To: ml/nj
As for "children" under 18, they're only children in your mind because you've been brainwashed.

You sound like a Planned Parenthood lobbyist.

192 posted on 06/11/2010 1:23:09 PM PDT by GunRunner
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To: La Enchiladita

I’ve seen prayer be a powerful thing if you can get people to put themselves aside for a moment and participate.

Plenty of time later, as I said to debate issues and I’m all for a healthy debate!


193 posted on 06/11/2010 1:48:29 PM PDT by MWestMom (Tread carefully, truth lies here.)
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To: GunRunner
I think you should retract that.

ML/NJ

194 posted on 06/11/2010 5:59:10 PM PDT by ml/nj
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To: DemonDeac
I have no problem with her family paying for the rescue expenses involve. My guess is that they either took out insurance for this or they will pay it themselves. Do you have other information?

ML/NJ

195 posted on 06/11/2010 6:01:48 PM PDT by ml/nj
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To: ml/nj

The Aussies won’t charge them for the rescue. It is as it should be. The Law of the Sea has been around for a very long time. If someone needs help, you give it. Because the day will come that you will need help on open water, and someone will risk their life to give it. They won’t expect payment.

It is as it should be. But that is becoming a lost concept.


196 posted on 06/11/2010 6:08:21 PM PDT by ex 98C MI Dude (Alea Iacta Est)
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Comment #197 Removed by Moderator

To: GunRunner
I'm against 8 year olds driving cars, and I'm against 16 year old girls circumnavigating the world in 40 foot sailboats.

Does that make me a communist?

No, you are an authoritarian. You believe it is the responsibility of the Government to control the actions of citizens that most of us consider our own choice.

198 posted on 06/11/2010 6:44:15 PM PDT by Doe Eyes
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To: GunRunner
Really clever comment!

You must be extremely proud of your high intellect, comparing someone who believes in individual achievement to baby murderers. It the sort of thing I would expect from someone who didn't finish high school. But you know, that's just me.

ML/NJ

199 posted on 06/11/2010 7:18:27 PM PDT by ml/nj
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To: GeronL
"parental neglect"

IMHO, parental neglect can include not providing encouragement to a child regarding their dreams and goals as long as those dreams and goals are not immoral.
200 posted on 06/11/2010 7:35:15 PM PDT by ThomasSawyer (Democratic Underground: Proof that anyone can figure out how to use a computer.)
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