Should a 13-year old be allowed to sail solo around the world for 2 years?

deanhills · Sep 8, 2009

There is currently a court case on the go in Utrecht Holland where a 13-year old girl, Laura Dekker, is trying to obtain permission for 2 years away from school, to sail in a yacht around the world. She would like to break the record for the youngest to have ever have achieved that.

Her father tried to obtain permission from the school, however this wasa refused and the school referred the case to social services, and then a court case evolved. Psychologists are currently evaluating her mental fitness. Her parents are divorced, and it would appear her father may loose custody as the school seems to think this should not be allowed to happen.

Laura's parents got her to prove to them that she could chart the trip first, before allowing her to go ahead. Then following that, she had to sail solo to England, which she did. So when she arrived in the UK, the UK authorities detained her, and insisted that her father should accompany her on her return journey. But for Laura it proved that she was up to the task.

Do you think she should be allowed to do the journey?

http://www.mahalo.com/laura-dekker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Dekker

capt.126ac69652ec407b83cdea8e2cb1cfb4.netherlands_young_sailor_ny120.jpg

Caption: From left: Dick Dekker her father, Laura Dekker and her lawyer, Peter de Lange at a press conference.

Delta · Sep 8, 2009

Man, some 13 year olds in Africa have raided and destroyed multiple villages and have killed countless people. All this girl wants to do is sail the world. Let her!

deanhills · Sep 8, 2009

Delta said:
Man, some 13 year olds in Africa have raided and destroyed multiple villages and have killed countless people. All this girl wants to do is sail the world. Let her!

Really had me laughting Delta. So much on the number.

Dirk · Sep 8, 2009

deanhills said:
Do you think she should be allowed to do the journey?

Yes. Who should stop her? If legitimate authority - i.e. her parents - allow her, what say should the Government have?

myp · Sep 8, 2009

I am with you guys- the parents say it is ok, the girl wants to do it, why should the state have the authority to stop her?

The Parakeet · Sep 10, 2009

I actually thought she was older than 13. I've heard this story a few times. The one justification is that the Coast Guard is the one who's going to have to save her, so the government has to have some say. She'll also have to ditch school, possibly endanger other ships, etc. There's a bit of logic behind it.

Same reason we probably wouldn't let a 13-year old drive I guess. Not sure why she couldn't just have a chaperon though (I would think she'd need one from Guinness anyway to properly record it).

I agree with the process at least. This seems a little...off. Can't really put my finger on it. Can't hurt to let social services and the courts make her prove she can do it.

deanhills · Sep 11, 2009

The Parakeet said:
Can't really put my finger on it. Can't hurt to let social services and the courts make her prove she can do it.

This is just a feeling I have, but when her parents divorced, her father got custody of her and her mother got minimal access, which is quite unique. Perhaps the mother is trying to make a case of a father who is neglecting his daughter. She has given interviews where she has said as much. Could be as simple as that maybe.

The Parakeet · Sep 11, 2009

They're also reporting that the mother is against it apparently (in Danish papers at least...friend of a friend, so don't quote me on that). But yeah, could be parental politics since she does have a lot to gain.

I also found the other case I mixed this up with. There was a 16 year old girl who fought for this a little bit ago. She finally got permission. She set sail a few weeks ago and collided with a big cargo ship within the first 24 hours when she apparently took a break. She's fine, but it could have easily killed her and it looks kinda negligent (although it might not have really been her fault...just bad luck since it isn't a crowded lane). That's not helping this girl at the moment, since it basically proved all the nay sayers right.

deanhills · Sep 14, 2009

The Parakeet said:
There was a 16 year old girl who fought for this a little bit ago. She finally got permission. She set sail a few weeks ago and collided with a big cargo ship within the first 24 hours when she apparently took a break.

I'd be very interested in this story. Can your remember more so that I can Google it, more or less which State, etc.?

The Parakeet · Sep 17, 2009

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/out...ring-trials-for-global-sailing-adventure.html

Here's one of the links. Her name is Jessica Watson, so you might be able to dig up a little more.

myp · Sep 17, 2009

If her parents are against it that is another story, but the school argument really doesn't hold because if both the parents and kid are ok with taking that much time off then what right does the government have to say no?

The comparison to driving also doesn't hold because she isn't putting others at risk and as for the Coast Guard- I am sure she is aware of the risks and once out of the US jurisdiction the kid and her parents should understand that they may not have protection. As long as that is understood, then nothing should stop this from happening.

deanhills · Sep 20, 2009

The Parakeet said:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/out...ring-trials-for-global-sailing-adventure.html

Here's one of the links. Her name is Jessica Watson, so you might be able to dig up a little more.

Thanks Parakeet, I actually did. A real gutsy lady, but does not look as though her encounter has discouraged her. She is waiting for her yacht to be repaired, and has a lot of support, including her parents to start her journey as soon as it has been fixed. Looks as though Australia has less rules and regulations than the Netherlands. The authorities has no legislation that compels her to stay in school, nor sue her parents for neglect. With Australian legislation the only grounds for suing her parents with neglect would be real abuse.

Should a 13-year old be allowed to sail solo around the world for 2 years?

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