Dutch girl, 14, sets off on sailing trip
Source: Agencies |
August 5, 2010, Thursday
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SHE'S not afraid of pirates. She's packed plenty of school books. And she's going to miss her family and her dog, Spot.
Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker hopped onto her boat yesterday and sailed off from the Netherlands hoping to become the youngest person to make a solo voyage around the world.
About 100 fans waved as Laura and her father Dick Dekker left the southern Dutch harbor of Den Osse in her 11.5-meter yacht Guppy, bound for Portugal where she will leave her father and begin her circumnavigation bid.
Last week, Laura won a legal battle when a court released her from the guardianship of Dutch child protection agencies. They had blocked her initial plan to depart at age 13 over fears for her safety and psychological health during the trip, which will likely take around a year.
"I can be sailing now, and that's great!" she told reporters yesterday, sporting a skull-emblazoned black T-shirt.
Dekker hoisted the black Jolly Roger-like flag of The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society above her red twin-masted ketch - the same image she wore on her shirt - before sailing out.
Laura, who was born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand, has been working to counter objections to her voyage since the authorities stepped in last year. She got a bigger, sturdier boat, took courses in first aid and practiced coping with sleep deprivation. She also made at least one solo trip across the North Sea to England.
Dekker's case has fueled a global debate over the wisdom of allowing ever-younger sailors to take on the tremendous risks of sailing the high seas alone.
If she completes the voyage, any record she claims would be unofficial and likely to be challenged. The Guinness' World Records and the World Sailing Speed Record Council have decided they will no longer recognize records for "youngest" sailors to avoid encouraging overly optimistic youths backed by ambitious parents from seeking a world record.
In June, 16-year-old American teen Abby Sunderland had to be rescued in a remote section of the Indian Ocean during an attempt to circle the globe. A huge wave snapped her mast and left her helpless until she was eventually rescued by a French fishing boat more than 3,000 kilometers west of Australia.
Three months ago, Australian Jessica Watson, completed a 210-day voyage on her yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, around the world at age 16.
Laura conceded her trip "is a little bit different as the old ones, because they do it nonstop and I will do with stops."
Asked whether she was afraid of pirates in the Gulf of Aden, she said no, she expected to travel in a protected convoy through that area.
Although she appeared to be living the dream of every teen - to escape the parents - Laura knew there would be some things she would miss in her months at sea. "My dog. My family," she said.
Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker hopped onto her boat yesterday and sailed off from the Netherlands hoping to become the youngest person to make a solo voyage around the world.
About 100 fans waved as Laura and her father Dick Dekker left the southern Dutch harbor of Den Osse in her 11.5-meter yacht Guppy, bound for Portugal where she will leave her father and begin her circumnavigation bid.
Last week, Laura won a legal battle when a court released her from the guardianship of Dutch child protection agencies. They had blocked her initial plan to depart at age 13 over fears for her safety and psychological health during the trip, which will likely take around a year.
"I can be sailing now, and that's great!" she told reporters yesterday, sporting a skull-emblazoned black T-shirt.
Dekker hoisted the black Jolly Roger-like flag of The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society above her red twin-masted ketch - the same image she wore on her shirt - before sailing out.
Laura, who was born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand, has been working to counter objections to her voyage since the authorities stepped in last year. She got a bigger, sturdier boat, took courses in first aid and practiced coping with sleep deprivation. She also made at least one solo trip across the North Sea to England.
Dekker's case has fueled a global debate over the wisdom of allowing ever-younger sailors to take on the tremendous risks of sailing the high seas alone.
If she completes the voyage, any record she claims would be unofficial and likely to be challenged. The Guinness' World Records and the World Sailing Speed Record Council have decided they will no longer recognize records for "youngest" sailors to avoid encouraging overly optimistic youths backed by ambitious parents from seeking a world record.
In June, 16-year-old American teen Abby Sunderland had to be rescued in a remote section of the Indian Ocean during an attempt to circle the globe. A huge wave snapped her mast and left her helpless until she was eventually rescued by a French fishing boat more than 3,000 kilometers west of Australia.
Three months ago, Australian Jessica Watson, completed a 210-day voyage on her yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, around the world at age 16.
Laura conceded her trip "is a little bit different as the old ones, because they do it nonstop and I will do with stops."
Asked whether she was afraid of pirates in the Gulf of Aden, she said no, she expected to travel in a protected convoy through that area.
Although she appeared to be living the dream of every teen - to escape the parents - Laura knew there would be some things she would miss in her months at sea. "My dog. My family," she said.
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