Posted on 06/10/2010 11:11:42 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Abby Sunderland, 16, who is attempting to become the youngest sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe, was feared lost at sea today after her crew lost contact with her boat.
Jeff Casher, an engineer on Sunderland's support team, said two emergency beacons on her boat are now signaling she is in trouble.
Abby's mother, MaryAnne Sunderland, told ABC News that Abby manually activated two beacons around 6 a.m. Pacific Time Thursday.
A beacon designed to automatically go off when it contacts water had not been activated, she said.
Abby was in 20-25 foot waves at the time of last contact, with 35-knot winds, said MaryAnne Sunderland, who is due to give birth at the end of the month. She was shaken but focused on trying to get a rescue effort together.
The closest land to Abby's boat was Reunion Island, which is east of Madagascar. The nearest ship was 400 miles away. Rescuers were trying to contact the ship.
Casher told ABC News that he last spoke with the 16-year-old sailor around 6 a.m. PDT after she had been knocked down twice during the night because of strong winds -- meaning that her sail had touched the water.
One of those knock-downs, Casher said, ripped the radar off the boat. She had been speaking with Casher on a satellite telephone earlier because of engine problems and was in the process of fixing those problems when she told Casher she'd call right back.
She has not been heard from since, except for the distress signals.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
She was trying to out do her brother (aged seventeen) who attempted the same thing last year. Don't think he made it - although he is still alive.
Prayers up for Abby.
"O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea."
I am reminded of that 11 y/o girl who died flying that airplane a few years ago. Sheesh...
I think the trip for the girl was too risky, but also believe neither I nor the govt should make that decision. That is theirs.
Let's pray that it belongs to this 16 y/o and that her future has not been stolen by overcompensated sublimating parents.
I think it’s BP’s fault
Would you allow your 16 year old daughter to sail around the globe by herself?
I would not, but she would have my blessing when she became an emancipated 18 year old.
And you can drown in an inch of water. If this girl was properly trained and equipped then how is it any different? Your daughter could be accidentally die while surfing before you or anyone else could ever get to her and you know it!
The problem we have today is the nanny-staters wanting all risk eliminated, and life confined to the safe harbors where nothing ever happens, and life stagnates.
Prayers up for this brave girl. If the Fates have snipped her thread, then she went out doing it her way. If not, I hope she has many more adventures in store.
Wow.. reading this post... the parents should be prosecuted, stupid idea etc.
Personally, I’m all for it. She’s doing something she’s wanted to do and worked hard towards while most kids her age don’t have a clue what they want in or out of life at 16 and for the most part well into their 20’s.
The parents are probably scared shxtless but based on the gear, training and precautions taken they did the best they could to protect their kid.
I hope this turns out ok and all is well. My thoughts with Abby and the family.
Jessica Dubroff was SEVEN, and not getting any younger.
“Would you let your 16 year old sail around the world alone?”
If my 16 yr old had the skills and satisfactory boat, yes. Although I’d probably push for a chase boat.
Kids are capable of much more than we give them credit for. The other young lady doing this was successful and encountered much more severe conditions.
“I think the trip for the girl was too risky, but also believe neither I nor the govt should make that decision. That is theirs.”
________________________________
I certainly agree with that. :)
As someone said earlier, this is like that young girl who died flying a plane. It also reminds me of balloon boy—it seems some parents want their 15 minutes of fame and aren’t thinking clearly.
When I read the article it mentioned her "support team". I assumed that meant other boats going along with her kind of like escorts just in case of an event like this. After reading your comment I went back and read it again. No escort boats. Evidently that's not how it's done.
I can't imagine waiting 40 hours to get a flat tire changed much less this scenario.
Australian Teen Completes Around-the-World Solo Sail
Updated: 25 days 21 hours ago
Lauren Frayer Contributor AOL News (May 15) -- A 16-year-old Australian girl sailed into a harbor of well-wishers in Sydney today after sailing solo around the world alone and unassisted in a voyage that took 210 days.
LOL...be sure to buy a helmet.
I would suggest her dad is sailing around the world vicariously. She wanted to because he drummed it into her head since she was three or four.
Are you a science detective, too? ;)
Sue the people that keep track of youngest sailer (or anything) records that promote this type of foolish behavior and wreckless decision making by parents.
The world would be a much better place if everyone were like you, or at least were prosecuted if they weren't.
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