16-year old solo round-the-world Abby Sunderland lost at sea

[gturner]

Story

She was trying to become the youngest girl to sail around the world solo. She hit major storms in the southern Indian Ocean and her sailboat was downed several times. Then she set off some distress signals and hasn't been heard from since. There are two ships in the area that will take 40 to 48 hours to reach her boat's position.

I'm sure some of you will have opinions on whether this adventure constituted parental abuse and neglect or whether it was merely reckless and ill-advised. Perhaps some of you find it inspirational.

Anyway, this is the thread for it.

 

[Jetfire]

I don't think she should have been aloud to do this at 16...or alone for that matter...it is reckless.

Hopefully she will be found alive and well.

 

[Davros]

Like I said in the TNZ thread on this same subject. I thought this was a bad idea and now I know it.

I hope she is found alive but I am not optimistic.

 

[Lindley]

All told I think the odds are still pretty good. A storm big enough to trash her sat phone and mast but leave the Personal Locator Beacon intact (those things are pretty robust) would fit the circumstances perfectly.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Story

She was trying to become the youngest girl to sail around the world solo. She hit major storms in the southern Indian Ocean and her sailboat was downed several times. Then she set off some distress signals and hasn't been heard from since. There are two ships in the area that will take 40 to 48 hours to reach her boat's position.

I'm sure some of you will have opinions on whether this adventure constituted parental abuse and neglect or whether it was merely reckless and ill-advised. Perhaps some of you find it inspirational.

Anyway, this is the thread for it.

Parental neglect? No. Inspirational? Maybe.

Fact of the matters is that she set out during the roughest season in the Indian ocean. 50-60 foot seas at the time of the accident. I don't think you land lubbers really realize how big those kind of swells are. Its not just the waves, its the wind and water. Not to mention being tossed around so badly you can't function.

She has no business being out there at this time of year.

 

[Kestra]

I think this is a time to hope nothing but the best for her, not to think about criticism being validated.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Yes, irresponsibility on the part of the parents.

But I will say, however, to the displeassure of some readers no doubt, this is better than sya the existance some American children have:

Growing up on VH1 and utter crap, texting all day, Twittering, growing up with no skills or a fulfilling job, cranking out a couple kids, then having a large chance of getting fat and divorced and living life bitterly to the end. This girl fucking sailed by herself the oceans. I'd love to know a girl like that.

 

[Brent]

Ambitious girl, but she is too young to understand the consequences, this is where her parents should have stepped in while they have control at that age.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

I think this is a time to hope nothing but the best for her, not to think about criticism being validated.

Instead, romanticism is being validated.

Inspirational is living, growing, learning and having a long life. Not dying before you turn twenty. That's tragedy.

 

[gturner]

Well, for all we know the battery on her sat phone popped loose during a roll and slid under a crack in a mounting bracket, and she's spent the last 12 hours with a bobby pin and a butter knife trying to tease it back toward her.

Or she may have had a run-in with Captain Jack Sparrow.

Or she found the bottle of celebratory peach schnopps that one of her friends hid on board.

 

[Kestra]

I think this is a time to hope nothing but the best for her, not to think about criticism being validated.

Instead, romanticism is being validated.

Inspirational is living, growing, learning and having a long life. Not dying before you turn twenty. That's tragedy.

I don't see why it has to be about criticism or romanticism. There's a time and a place for that sort of thing, and in my opinion it comes after a time of crisis, not during one.

 

[Captain_Nick]

This is interesting. Our girl Jessica Watson managed to pull off the exact same round the world trick and she's only a couple of months older. In this country she's being feted as a hero - reckon people would be singing a different tune if she was lost at sea huh.

 

[Orac Zen]

She's fine. According to the article and radio and TV news reports, a rescue vessel is expected to reach her tomorrow (Australian time).

 

[RJDiogenes]

Sounds like her boat is badly damaged but not in danger of sinking. There are a couple of ships on the way to rescue her. Hopefully nothing else will happen in the next 24 hours.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

Rolled by a wave and demasted.

Why does society insist that a 16-year-old be treated as an adult when they break the law yet the same aged individual is child when making life decisions?

At 16, Abby seems to be far more an adult than many (if not most) 21 year olds I've met.

I will not second guess her parents and supporters who I am quite sure considered all the questions we raised prior to her starting this adventure.

 

[Gibraltar]

While I salute her courage and determination, as a parent I could not allow one of my children to undertake such an ordeal until they had reached the legal age of decision, that being 18 here in the US.

If I were to allow one of them to go on such a dangerous excursion and they died as a result, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

I'm relieved that she's okay and rescue craft will arrive at her location soon.

 

[tharpdevenport]

She's fine. According to the article and radio and TV news reports, a rescue vessel is expected to reach her tomorrow (Australian time).

She's better than fine -- no doubt some movie studio will approach her, throw a millio or more dollars at her, and get the rights to make a movie about her experience. Almsot dying at sea has probably set her financially for life.

Possible film (or at least a TV movie), maybe a book, some paid gigs going on TV to talk about it ... heck, we should all almost die at sea.

 

[Finn]

I agree with Kestra's comments. Besides, we don't know this girl so we can't say she isn't mature enough.

 

[Australis]

As Nick said, an Aussie girl's already done it. This girl can now be rescued, go home, and in a short,short while be too old to be the youngest person to sail round the world. But she'll be safe and will have adventures elsewhere in a more responsible manner. In a few years.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

So glad she's safe.

To those who said she is too young to understand the dangers involved i have to disagree. As an experienced sailor she knew what she was facing. I don't get the whole sailing thing but i think she is pretty damn amazing for her age.

Re: sailing. My husband sails and he races as well. My 16-1/2 year old races with him. She's not nearly as competent as this girl is, so of course i'd never let her do what this girl did. And honestly, i don't think i would even IF she were as competent. But that's just me. Hell, i freak out when they come home from a race and tell me they were nearly tipping over! Anyway, sailors have a different mindset than the rest of us.

Last summer during a race, one of the captains fell overboard, had a heart attack and died immediately. They stopped the race, scooped him up and then the rest of the boats continued racing! I kid you not! Like i say, experienced sailors have a mindset all their own.