Posted on 06/13/2010 6:52:35 PM PDT by naturalman1975
THE United States' peak sailing body was so concerned about Abby Sunderland's solo record bid that it refused to sponsor her.
As the young sailor blasted her critics, the American Sailing Association confirmed it had knocked back the teenager's appeal for help, fearing commercial endorsement might encourage her to take too many risks.
"We chose not to be sponsors of Abigail because we did have concerns about the timing of her departure," said executive director Charlie Nobles.
Abby's route placed her in the treacherous Indian Ocean during the notoriously tough winter months.
"She had a lot of sponsors that were behind her and I think that puts pressure on her," Mr Nobles said. "We made a prudent decision not to contribute to that."
.....
Mrs Sunderland, who is pregnant with the family's eighth child, said the family did not have the money to compensate Australian rescue officials, with the rescue costing $300,000, the Courier Mail reported.
"The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you'd think they would have to work with the US Government for that," she said from her California home.
"We're not wealthy people," she said. "What price would you put on a child's life?"
....
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday that the Government would not seek reimbursement for the cost of Abby's rescue.
"That is not the way that the law works," Mr Albanese told Channel 10's Meet the Press.
"If there was an Australian lost at sea, we would want the international laws on maritime to kick in and for every effort to be made to save that person."
A spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said that Abby would likely be transferred to one of two other ships heading to the rescue site.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Of course it was too risky.It’s damn risky for a *very* experienced 40 year old yachtsman/sailor...let alone a 16 year old kid.If a 16 year old’s parents want their kid to do something exceptional encourage him/her to work hard enough to gain admission to Harvard/Yale/MIT and leave the suicide missions to crazy old guys.
I guess break.com morons flying off cliffs from bikes, skates, or whatever are what makes the country great? We still got plenty of idiots left to display greatness. I guess we need to send the underage girls off to die for it too though, proves how great we are.
Properly planned and supervised it can be a safe journey for a 16 year old. That wasn’t it.
Now others are expected to foot the bill for the bad judgment of the parent. Speaking of whiners, let the family dig into their own pockets.
For that matter, get Abby (who is most likely going to be delivered to Australia) to do some TV ads for CanTeen. Do something to show what was done was appreciated.
“So was most every act that made this once great nation great...
“
Yes your nation was made great by many brave people taking risks....but because THEY HAD TO in order to survive or to ensure that which the loved survived.
This is a lame stunt aimed at nothing but vain fame, do not insult those who have gone before you in founding your great nation, by comparing them to these glory hounds.
There were (are? or are we done with that) that made the country great by going into space. That wasn’t necessary or anything, but was a great thing.
However, they were adults. 16 year olds most likely would not be allowed up. Doing it here is just as wreckless.
Agreed, at least as to how Mrs. Sunderland came off in this article. "We're not wealthy people" is not a reason for other people, who are also not wealthy, to have to pay for your thrills.
Surely there is some way to require an insurance policy or bond for this sort of thing.
At the minimum, the Sunderlands should have stopped flapping their jaws and simply said "we are relieved and thankful Abby was rescued and we will be focusing on reuniting with her, not debating in the press."
For her to say, as she reportedly did, "what price can you put on a child's life?" -- HELL'S BELLS, lady!
Attention whores works even better.
I want to see the law of the sea on rescues continued. However, that is not to say that people who put themselves out there under these circumstances, for fame and maybe even for fortune, should not out of grace and dignity post a bond or have some insurance policy to pay for a rescue. At the minimum, the family should be falling all over themselves with gratitude and thanksgiving — not jawboning about how, “who, me? pay for my kid’s adventuring?”
You said it perfectly...
That’s how the family strikes me. They seem to be looking for fame, and probably financial deals for TV, books, etc. Very similar to Octomom and Balloon Boy.
Exactly. I at least want to see a little grace, dignity and gratitude out of these people. They are coming off not only as fame freaks, but entitlement freaks.
Yes, there is a solemn duty for mariners to rescue distressed mariners. So may it ever be. But that doesn’t mean no thanks should be given.
Interesting that now money is the issue these words come out of the mothers mouth...
“What price would you put on a child’s life”
....hummm....where was that concern when she let her child sail solo in dangerous seas?
Speaking as an experienced offshore sailor this is exactly the same point I made very early on ... long before she was found by the Aussies. Crossing the Indian Ocean in May/June is the equivalent of crossing the North Atlantic in November/December. For a well crewed substantial sailboat certainly not advisable, for a solo sailor, particularly a 16 year old, incredibly stupid.
yeah and where did they get the money to build THAT boat?
This was not some ignorant girl tossed into a sponsor built expensive boat and sent on her way. If that were the case she would never have made it 100 miles much less round both Cape Horn and Cape Good Hope solo.
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