Authorities Try to Prevent Girl, 13, From Solo Sail Around The World

I don't understand this whole passion for our children to be the youngest individual, be it male or female, black or white, ethnic background not withstanding to have the need to break the record for be the youngest anything only to have it broken the next time by someone else. It just seems to me that there are so many other wonderfully, educational things she can be doing then endangering her well fair, but that being said; I do believe it should stay between the parents and her. I mean, we're not talking about parents who are abusing they're child. I'm certain that training and precautions will be taken and it seems to me that in the past these kind of adventures are observed from a distance in order to come to the rescue of the sailor should he or she require it.

I wish the Dutch government would have shown this much concern trying to find Natalie Hollaway or at least in bringing her killer to justice.

Like American men don't do the same thing. One story at a time we are talking about the possible death of a 13 year old. I think all these men who prey on children need to be locked up.

Why shouldn't she be allowed to try?
Vicki Van Meter at age 11 flew solo across the US, and became the youngest to ever do so.. A little later she was the youngest to fly transatlantic. If Laura Dekker, as her parents believe, has the fitness,skill,experience and the judgment to undertake the trip she should be given the opportunity to do it.

thats what im saying it seems this world is worried about the wrong things. What about the young girls being kidnapped and sent into slavery and sexual acts or the little kids working for pennies in other countries just to stay alive and being taken away from their parents. dont get me wrong 13 seems a little to young to be sailing around the "world" be yourself who would want to be alone for that long anyways if u ask me shes crazy.

Absolutely she should not attempt this venture. Yes I agree a boat following, close enough to get to her in an emergency would make it a different story. I'm sure there are retired sailors out there, step out and offer your time to this young lady. I agree to what the other person states regarding our rights here in America. Let's band together and not be overtaken by this corruption. We let one women take prayer out of our schools--now will we again sit idly as we watch christianity become taboo but allow our schools to celebrate Muslim holidays. Come on America wake up,get off the sofa and lets do all we can there is still power in numbers.

No, it's not the Dutch government's job to protect the children in Thailand from sex predators. That is the job of the Thai government which sadly, seem to be looking the other way in order to boost their revenues from sex tourism. VERY SAD

Rediculous! pirates WILL get her and she will die. How will her parents feel then. A parents job is to protect their children. These parents need to lose custody of this CHILD keyword, child.

You have to be kidding me. That is a great way for the girl to grow. I have been sailing most of life and would have killed to do something like that. I will spend weeks in the backcountry away from anything and ski and camp the whole time. I'm not sure if you have seen the news but there is a girl from Australia who is doing the same thing. I believe she is 14 or 15. The biggest issue I have is people who don't do the norm are called crazy. I typically push my body and mind to the limit and get called crazy when I come home with a concussion or broken body parts or even shocked seeing what happened. If you have a passion about something you have to do it. I almost died white water rafting a few years ago. Pulled a buddy to shore that day. I am still out there on the water every week paddling down that river. It's HER life not the Dutch government. And a side note as I lived in Holland just recently for work, I am not surprised that the government is trying to block something like this when there are so many other issues in society they could deal with which would help more people. This is not against teh Dutch government but more against all governments. We have a right to live free as a human. Why not take that right!

How does one have to do with the other? There is no correlation between this and child prostitution rings.

At age 13 this decision, or goal, should not be taken lightly by anyone - government or parents. I do not believe it is in the best interest of the WORLD for governments to regulate goals or dreams. Taking a practical stance I do believe she needs 24/7 monitoring during such an event. And yes, that could be well over 12 months. Instead of "interfering" in the decision of this young person why not develop a community of "sailors", newscasters, sports enthusiasts, doctors, etc. who can work along WITH her. The world is full of "blogs" - why not set up a system to not only keep her safe but PROMOTE her enthusiastic adventure! This would be a LIFETIME achievement! Support, my friends, Support. That's what she needs. Money, education, professionals and several enthusiastic benefactors with deep wallets. To DAD: make sure your motives are PURE. Weigh the pros/cons - get people involved - most of all, make absolutely positive that your daughter knows you love her whether she undertakes this adventure or not. She will not be 13 again.

Congratulations! You've won the award for best non-sequitur.

that's a Thai issue, not a Netherland issue.

I believe these parents are insane to even consider letting this child attempt this. The ocean is relentless and unforgiving and attempting to break this record is not worth the life of a child. Crews of adults with much more experience have perished at the hands of Mother Nature's wrath during unexpected storms and squalls. Do you honestly think a 13 year old child has the maturity, skills and quick thinking this kind of trip would require? A simple solution would be to have her father or another adult accompany her in another boat to thwart off pirates, to be there in time to come to her aid in a medical emergency. Parents, STOP trying to relive your youth through your children. Teach them the skills they are going to need to be responsible adults. They leave the nest soon enough. This childs life is worth much more than an entry in a records book. Such irresponsible decisions on a parents part could put their daughter in that records book as having the largest funeral for a 13 year old. Think about living with that kind oof guilt before making such a decision.

that is a good one, I totally agree. But unlike the US, the Dutch don't think they have to stick their noses in every body else's business.

If it is so wrong for her to Sail around the world on her on at thirteen. Why do we put children in prison for life, if they are still developing. Where is child protective service then?

This should be a non-issue at 13 years old there must be no way in the world that anybody should allow this to happen. Look, i will give her the benefit of the doubt that she is a god sailor, or even an execellent sailor heck the greatest damn sailor the world has ever known but at 13 years old there is no way she can handle this trip. Even if she could survive this the voyage physically(dont think so,sorry)mentally you cant prepare yourself for it. This takes time. TIME!!!!!!! If it is not stopped and she would be allowed to make this trip and when it ends tragically this would be the same as murder. In this country you dont have to be there to put the gun to the person's head and pull the trigger, just be there to help bury the body. And that what this would be. The parent's of this child should be ashamed of this act of neglect. birth(baby)+3yrs(toddler)+10(adolescent)=stupidity

Why don't you stick to the subject at hand? If those boys don't go to other countries to get what they want, then they will be raping their own. This is about a 13 yr old who shouldn't be left alone for more than a few hrs in her own home let alone sailing around the world! It's evident that you do not have children, and if you do, then God help them.

becose the males are adult and she is not

What is wrong with the government and mob mentality not letting this girl go through on a dream she has since she was 6. She was born on high seas during her parents 7 year trip around the world. She has her own sailboat since 6 years old, and has lived on a boat (not on land) all of her life. The Dutch used to be the masters of the ocean; you'd think they would be proud. The girl will be 14 years old when she starts and 16 when she is finished. The record is held by a sixteen year old boy, but he had to start younger, also to make it in time. An he was American, I believe. There are many boys training to to this in the US and Australia and if she doesn't leave very very soon, she will lose her dream to be first. The girl is very mature, for the faint at heart, you have no right to compare you or your child's weaknesses or fears on one hand (you are not her parent and this girl is very accomplished. I would rather be stuck in a storm at sea with her than you) and then let your teenage children go to Europe with a backpack for a few weeks - which has plenty more predators in that short time than this girl will meet.