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.
Thank goodness. I couldn’t imagine a Freeper posting a serious comment like that. LOL.
Absolutely nothing.
Ignoring the dangers of bad weather and bad people is not a survival trait.
Remember that true adventures carry the very real risk of dying.
When she is hopefully rescued,I would bill her parents for every cent of the rescue costs.
I admire her courage, however adrenaline junkies are always doing crazy things like trying to sail around the world solo. When they get into trouble, some poor SOB from a rescue agency has to rappel headfirst down to a rolling deck in pitch darkness to save them.
How about we limit rescues to people who got in trouble through no fault of their own?
I Don’t think she is going though the Caribbean
On the nose.
rappel headfirst
I don’t think so !!!
Jessica Dubroff, part II.
I hope she’s fine but you’re right. This is a case of the parents blowing it.
Rescue but bill for services.
Oh, please. Being a responsible parent is not the same as being “politically correct”.
Amen.
Yep. You said it well. What was the big rush? For fame, a book? Chuckleheads for parents. She could have done it when she was 18, as an adult.
Any kind of criminal. You don't think there are child molesters on boats?
Yes
If she were my daughter:
“Sorry, honey. I know that you are an excellent sailor. But you are not cirlcing the globe by yourself on my watch.
“Perhaps we can arrange a group to go with you. When you are 18, you are free and clear to do as you wish”.
I agree.
You brought up something that I think is worth highlighting. It costs a lot of money to rescue these daredevil people and I think they should have to pay for it.
How so? What does one have to do with the other?
Absolutely
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