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

by Amy Hatch (Subscribe to Amy Hatch's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 12:43PM

Filed under: In The News, Extreme Childhood, Teen Culture

The Dutch government wants to block 13-year-old Laura Dekker from sailing around the world. Credit: Valerie Kuypers, AFP / Getty Images

Update, August 28, 2009 -- Dutch child protection authorities banned Laura Dekker from making her proposed solo voyage around the world, according to the BBC. The tween indicated that she may consider emigrating to New Zealand -- she was born there and holds a New Zealand passport -- in order to start her journey from another country.

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Dutch authorities are attempting to gain temporary custody of a 13-year-old girl in order to prevent the teen from sailing around the world in a 26-foot sailboat by herself.

According to MSNBC, Laura Dekker is making a bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, and she has the full support of her parents. The Dutch Council for Child Protection is less enthused about Laura's proposed adventure, and has asked for temporary custody of the girl to stop her trip -- something her parents refuse to do.

The court battle has opened a public debate in the Netherlands over so-called "super kids" and their ambitious parents. In Laura's case, authorities believe, the desire to achieve stems from her parents' divorce -- she lives with her Dutch father, who is divorced from her German mother. Both parents say they fully support Laura's risky adventure, although her mother did not show up in court for the custody hearing.

"Laura has divorced parents and it is very normal for a child of this age to be very loyal to the parent (he or she) is living with," Child Protection spokesman Richard Bakker told The Associated Press. "How much does she identify herself with her father, who is a good sailor?"

The girl is already an experienced sailor, and was even born during an around-the-world voyage. However, experts believe that no child her age should attempt a similar voyage on their own.

Concerns about a 13-year-old sailing around the are wide-ranging, from pirates to psychological issues. Other obvious perils include weather-related crises and navigational errors, but the girl could also be tracked by bandits and even suffer long-term damage from spending too much time alone at sea during a crucial point in her adolescence.

"A 13-year-old girl is in the middle of her development and you don't do that alone - you need peers and adults," said Micha de Winter, a professor of child psychology at Utrecht University.

A 17-year-old California boy currently holds the youngest solo sailing record, having completed a 28,000-mile trip in 13 months, sailing his 36-foot boat. Zac Sunderland admitted to The Associated Press that he was tracked by pirates and had to call the Australian authorities for help.

Robin Lee Graham was 16 when he set out to sail around the world in 1965, but his journey took five years to compete. Therefore, according to Charlie Nobles, the executive director of the American Sailing Association, Graham is not the youngest person to complete a solo voyage around the world by boat.

"The way these records are kept, the record is set by the age you are when you complete the journey," Nobles said.

Mike Perham, just a few months younger than Sunderland, is poised to break the record yet again, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Past attempts by children to break world records have ended in tragedy, such as the 1996 death of Jessica Dubroff, who died along with her father and flight instructor, when her plane crashed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jessica was attempting to be the youngest person to fly across the United States.

According to The Associated Press, a spokesman for the Guinness Book of World records said that it does not encourage attempts by minors to break records.

"(We have) a standard policy that does not sanction, endorse or encourage attempts by minors (people under the age of 16) on records which are dangerous or potentially life-threatening," Guinness spokesman Damian Field said.

Should the Dutch government stop her from attempting to break this record?

ReaderComments (Page 5 of 22)

Add Your Comments

8-27-2009 @ 8:54AM

Tami said...

carole 8-27-2009 @ 8:08AM

Although, see may have the skill, there are still may dangers involved that she might not be skilled in like pirates. I am not sure that at 13 I would let my teenage daughter attempt this alone.
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You aren't SURE? Are you KIDDING me? I have a 16 year old and in NO WAY would I let her do something like this ALONE! Of that, I'm POSITIVE. Tell me, would you let her walk down the streets of, lets say, the EAST SIDE OF DETROIT after dark? And if not, why not?

8-27-2009 @ 8:10AM

Jimbo said...

The parent's decision to allow and even encourage this young girl to sail solo around the world has to be one of the biggest bone-headed decisions of all time. It's said that she's an accomplished sailor but how accomplished can she possibly be at 13? The Dutch government was right in taking charge of this case because if the irresponsiblity of the parent. How about if we take the girl and allow her to walk (solo) across Europe or the USA. Would he allow her to do that? What's that you say, it's too dangerous?? Well, what do you call sailing around the world at 13? The parent should loose permanent custody of the child because he obviously isn't looking out for her welfare.

8-27-2009 @ 8:29AM

funnytb said...

Just because the parents think she should be able to survive this trip means nothing. Gracious, some parents think the 4 year old can take care of the 2 year old, so they can go get high or drunk. Government has to step in when parents are not parenting properly. I have four daughters from 21 to 15 and I have raised them to always have someone with them in possible unsafe situations-this would be one of those situations. And what about her schooling? No, No, No-this should not be allowed. Idiotic parents-your suppose to limit the dangerous situations that your child could pose harm from. Teenagers think they know everything...but they have to be told even to pull their pants up- how in the world...

8-27-2009 @ 8:24AM

Celia Javadi said...

Sounds to me like both parents are wanting to be rid of the kid, maybe even permanently.

8-27-2009 @ 8:27AM

Rman said...

I would imagine a significantly larger vessel traveling aside the young girl keeping her within their view but not interfering unless necessary.

speedreaderd said...

I am sixteen and i have already almost sailed around the world. I did not do it singlehandedly but it is an amazing adventure and I say go for it Laura. Its not that dangerous if you are careful and patient.

8-27-2009 @ 8:44AM

Bob 8-27-2009 @ 7:53AM

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.
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Bob, I have one word for you: MORON

8-27-2009 @ 8:45AM

mikezmommy 8-27-2009 @ 7:58AM

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.
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MIKEZMOMMY: If this CHILD is picked up by PIRATES, just what do YOU think is going to be the FIRST thing they "PIRATE"? Gee, do you think them RAPING her is a possibility? And when they are done with her, whats to say THEY won't sell her into slavery?
What in the HELL is wrong with people today? Parents today can be described in two words: SELFISH and IGNORANT.

8-27-2009 @ 10:47AM

Dave said...

All of you who are obsessing about pirates and the "dangerous and unpredicatable seas" have been misled. For one thing, pirates wouldn't go after a boat that size unless they were really desparate. Just because you hear about them on the news. In fact, there are more American pirates with uniforms than somalian pirates without. Speaking from experience, the average middle eastern person is a lot friendlier and more accomodating than the average American person. As for the seas, they are only dangerous if you don't respect them. From what I gather, Laura is an accomplished seawoman who knows enough not to disdain the power of the ocean. What's more, with modern technology, weather is predictable and with special weather programs you can even check the forecast while at sea. And yes, I do speak about all of these things from experience. I am sixteen and I started my sailing trip around the world when I was twelve.

8-27-2009 @ 8:35AM

Bisbee15 said...

I agree with the comment about everyone wanting to be the FIRST to do this or that. (The FIRST baby born on the New Year, the FIRST Hispanic to do this or that, .etc.), but this one takes the cake. The girl is too young. I once read about a shooting on New Year's day because the kid wanted to commit the FIRST murder of the New Year! It's okay to be LAST in this case..

8-27-2009 @ 8:38AM

Landlubber now said...

Thirteen is too young to go solo out into the world, whether male or female, period. Some people who sail, as with any sport or activity, can get caught up in being 'uber-sailors,' become obsessively competitive, and push their children to do something they themselves wouldn't or couldn't do. So I suggest that the father sail around the world by himself first to make sure he's being realistic about the project. And maybe we're seeing a bit of why there was a divorce. I think the Dutch authorities are right to step in. Seriously, would YOU send your 13 year-old kid out on the ocean alone?

8-27-2009 @ 1:05PM

J. said...

Landlubber now,
Did you actually read the article? The parents already HAVE sailed around the world, MORE THAN ONCE!! The girl was born on an around the world voyage! The girl has lived aboard boats most of her life - this is the only life she has ever known. For the government to step in and snatch her away from her father and their way of life is cruel and amounts to kidnapping - talk about emotional damage! You people are passing judgment on a way of life you couldn't possibly understand. This is the life this girl was raised with, what she values, just because you don't understand it or place the same value on it does not make it wrong and it is not for you or a government to judge how these people live.

JackieE said...

Ok first of all the task at hand is for her to sail around the world solo? Right? Where is it written that her father who is a experienced sailer can not sail at a safe distance behind her? She would still be solo in her own boat, she would still be breaking a record, and her "parental supervision" would still somewhat be there.

And second of all, who in the hell is the government to now decide that they can step in and parent our children now? Regardless if her parents are going through a divorce, they are still HER PARENTS to make the decisions they feel are right for her. Unless they are physically or sexually harming her, I believe that it's their decision. I'm sure as parents they have discussed the possible outcomes and issues that could arise.

8-27-2009 @ 8:39AM

Crystal said...

I mean what kind of responsible would even consider letting one of their children enter bodies of waters that are unpredictable.... especially alone. she could easily die. I have heard of dreams but this it outrageous. If she is stuck on this idea, pursue it later on in life at the age of 18. Theses parents should not have custody of this girl if they are willing to risk her life like this. They should be ashamed of themselves.

8-27-2009 @ 8:43AM

marielfair said...

She's definitely too young. That's not to say that it isn't possible, but it's a huge risk. I'm an adult, and I wouldn't attempt something like that. Not alone. There's too much that can go wrong.

8-27-2009 @ 8:46AM

I'm willing to bet that the BONE HEADS on here who don't think this is that bad of an idea haven't actually sat down and thought it through.
WHY? Because they don't possess the INTELLIGENCE that is necessary for intelligent thought! YOU are exactly why the kids in this world are worthless. If YOU can't think intelligently, how do you expect your kids to? What a shame.

8-27-2009 @ 9:16AM

Mizerable said...

Glad to know that you are the know all and be all authority on intelligence. I have thought about this, and have also read every single comment, and the article as well. I am not a parent, but I know of ambitions, and regret, and wishing that I would have been able to do something adventurous with my life when I was younger. I feel that this child, if she is not allowed the chance to try this, may feel that same regret. This is something she firmly believes she can do, so she should be allowed to do so.

By the way, calling people who have different opinions than yourself "Bone Heads" is quite immature, does that mean, by right, that I may call you a "Bone Head" as well? I could, but I think I'll go ahead and take the high road. Sticking to the topic at hand would probably be a wiser thing to do, but I shouldn't need to tell an intelligent person such as yourself that, should I?

People are being downright ridiculous about this, calling the parents stupid and unfit. Seriously, there are parents out there who are far worse than this young ladies parents. I think that if she would like to give it a try, she should be allowed to take that chance. Everyone always cries and whines about how much they regret not being able to do something in their lives, this should be her choice, and it is her chance. If they are that disturbed about it then she should be allowed to go under the stipulation of being monitored from a safe distance. If you would actually read the article, you would see that her parents both have experience in sailing, and she does as well.

Go for it Laura! Give it your best shot!

8-27-2009 @ 8:56AM

pc said...

If you are a parent then you are just one example of why others/goverment need to step into these situtations. You are not thinking logically about this and that's the problem with alot of parents. Hence, intervention!

8-28-2009 @ 9:38AM

MOLLY said...

I HAVE A 14 YEAR OLD SON AND ALSO A 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MY SON HAS A HIGH IQ AND CAN FIGURE OUT ALOT OF THINGS ON HIS OWN THAT AMAZES ME. BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID I DO NOT THINK THAT HE POSSESS THE MATURITY REQUIRED TO MAKE REASONABLE JUDGMENTS ON SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATING. THEY ARE AT THIS AGE IN BETWEEN A CHILD AND BECOMING A YOUNG ADULT, WHO IF I NEED TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT DON'T MAKE EXACTLY THE GREATEST DECISIONS ON THINGE EITHER. SO I SAY LET HER WAIT UNTIL SHE IS 16 AND THEN LET HER ATTEMPT SHE WILL HAVE 3 MORE YEARS OF SAILING AND WISDOM UNDER HER BELT. I WOULD ALSO GET HER TAUGHT HOW TO DEFEND HERSELF BY ANY MEANS. A GIRL ALONE IS VERY VULNERABLE.

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