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.
political correctness = nanny state = take no risks
I doubt any of us can say anything the parents are not thinking right now. I would think they will have countless “if only’s” to deal with should the worst come to pass.
That's a valid criticism and certainly worthy of concern.
AARRRGH!!!! There are more pirates elsewhere.
P.S. again....
Is there any law there against the parents for child endangerment?
Just asking because I don’t know.
Yep. You said it well. What was the big rush? For fame, a book?>>>>>>>>
M O N E Y is my guess. For fame and fortune. The economy stinks so make money this with this stunt.
Driving to work is a dangerous quest for many.
12 year olds used to lead divisions of soldiers.
Time is precious, and we coddle the young. All adventure has risk. Adventure without risk is called ‘Television’.
There is coddling,and then there is stupid.
False logic.
I am going to put all debate to rest “Her parents should have sent her to Aruba on Holiday”
And you think that rescue guy isn't every bit as much an "adrenaline junkie?"
I hope to God she is saved and the parents are presented with a bill for the emergency services necessary to find her.
I agree with you. There was a time when young people had to take extraordinary risks because of the age in which they lived. Many died, too. While we might coddle our young, they don’t have to take the risks that one time had to be undertaken for survival. Everyone involved with this undertaking has shown an incredible lack of wisdom and maturity. I expect that of Abby. She’s young and young people tend to think they can take on the world. It’s through living and experience that they learn they can’t. It’s the reason young people need parents. Hers have let her down in a huge way. I hope she is found very soon.
Perhaps. Most of the PJ’s and pilots I flew with were pretty calm. If they ever got into trouble, they could usually get themselves out without calling for help.
I blame terrible parenting. A kid that age isn’t old enough to weigh the risks of something like this and shouldn’t be allowed to undertake it.
Knocking people who let their kids take risks is. Let’s call child protective services on them.
Prove otherwise.
Thank you, sweetheart. It was me. My heart is pounding as I just saw this news maybe 20 minutes ago, have been FB about it. Words fail me right now.
Twaddle !
She knows precisely what she is doing. Read her blog. She is very clearheaded. She seems completely familiar with her boat and the weather. She has been able to make amazing (to me anyway) repairs so far.
One might compare her with the man occupying the White House now. He is considerably older so folks here I guess think he would be the more responsible of the two. But Obama wouldn't last a week on a sailboat on the open ocean. Without help it appears he wouldn't be able to write a coherent blog. And Abby has the decency to put only herself at risk. Obama has put us all at risk.
ML/NJ
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