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Update on 14-year old sailor Laura Dekker
Yesterday we posted a story about 14-year old Laura Dekker, a Dutch girl who has dreams of sailing solo around the world in an attempt to claim the title of youngest person to achieve that goal. Several months back, the Dutch government ruled that she would have to stay in port while they reviewed her case and considered if she was too young to make such a journey. Frustrated with that decision, the teenager ran away from home this past weekend, only to turn up on the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean, where it appears she was attempting to set sail on her own.Laura was taken into custody by local officials, and sent back to Holland, and today judges there ruled on her case, once again, taking her current actions into account. Despite the fact that youth social services requested that she be put into foster care with family friends, the judges allowed Laura to return home to her father, who has strongly defended her right to circumnavigate the globe, and supports her wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, the judges ordered the girl to begin taking steps that would further prove she is ready to sail solo around the world. They are requiring her to complete a first aid course, and make several long distance sailing trips abroad, to gain valuable skills necessary for her journey. They told her to view these requirements as a set of challenges, and if she is successful, she could set out on her solo journey in as little as three months time.
So there you have the update. By March of 2010, a 14-year old girl could quite possibly be sailing solo around the world. Does that seem like a good idea?
Filed under: Europe, Netherlands, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig Landrum Dec 23rd 2009 4:47PM
Does it seem like a good idea?
It certainly does to her, and that is all that matters. When the majority of us die, we will have accomplished virtually nothing worth remembering. Here is a lady who was born on the sea and has a passionate goal of conquering it. She will make the attempt whether her efforts are blessed by some government or not. I applaud her parents for supporting their daughter and wish her all the best.
Go girl!
Kraig Dec 23rd 2009 5:00PM
It should be noted that her mother, who is divorced from her father, has expressed concerns about her going alone on more than one occasion. Her parents are not united behind this attempt.
Besides, what's the rush? The ocean will still be there in a few years, when she's grown up a bit more and matured some.
Bionca Dec 24th 2009 1:10PM
I couldn't agree more.
venturen Jan 4th 2010 5:11PM
she can only go if no one has to rescue her. You can't drive a car at 14, but she is going to avoid pirates and sail around the world. How dumb. I think she should go, but no one should rescue her when she fail. let her drift to death.
Retnan Jan 25th 2010 4:20PM
How did the damn government get wise to the plan anyway?
Kraig Jan 25th 2010 4:50PM
She was forced to file a departure and trip plan before taking her ship out. That's fairly standard operating procedure.