youngest circumnav ever!!

[Guest62110524]

Dutch bid to thwart young sailor
Laura Dekker in court, 24 August 2009
Sailor Laura Dekker says she wants to 'live freely'

Social workers in the Netherlands have taken legal action to try to stop a 13-year-old girl from sailing around the world on her own.

They want Laura Dekker to be made a ward of court, so that her parents, who support her plans, temporarily lose the right to make decisions about her.

Laura's father, Dick Dekker, has had a request for her to miss two years of school turned down.

Laura had a yacht by the age of six and began sailing solo when she was 10.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8219443.stm

[Guest62110524]

and now
A 13-year-old Dutch girl born in New Zealand is fighting to be declared a Kiwi so she can sail around the world alone.


aura Dekker is battling child protection authorities in her Netherlands homeland who are taking the case to court in a bid to stop the teenager from making the trip.

But the teenager, who was born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand during a seven-year world trip her parents were making, is now looking to gain residency and a New Zealand passport to get away from Dutch authorities and make the solo trip from here.

Laura and her father, Dick Dekker, yesterday spent the day pleading with judges and child protection authorities to let her make the trip.

She told a Dutch television news show: "Since I was 10 years old, I've known that I would like to sail around the world. I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely."




Laura is reported to have had her own yacht at the age of six and was only 10 years old when she started sailing by herself.

She plans to sail on her boat, dubbed Guppy, on September 1, when she will be 14.

If she is granted the right to make the trip, she will miss out on almost two years of school and will be the youngest person to sail around the globe alone.

The current youngest person to make a solo sailing trip around the world is 17-year-old Zac Sutherland who finished his 13-month journey last month.

A Dutch judge will decide on Friday whether the teenager will be taken into child protection custody.

[TeddyDiver]

Latest http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2397306.ece/Not_so_solo_14-year-olds_world_sailing_tour_made_into_reality_TV_show
Some rumors about "disappearing" also http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/laura-dekker-goes-missing

[mark775]

Damn. I wan't her to succeed. The authorities have no business in this. On first blush, thirteen is perhaps too young, but there were going to be many people accompanying her, following her, and tho the guinness thing may have been jeopardized by film crew, the right is hers and her parents. This is a totally different situation than the Australian girl sailing alone.

[Guest62110524]

poor kid adn parent too
nothing wrong with Zing for life
But say if these things seeded in her head years ago, then her parents(I feel) should have steered her away
I mean how we bring up our children is our concern, but I guided mine quite strongly until they got to 17== 18. they say now, it was the right thing to do
Frinstance one wanted a motorbike, and because I used to ride, I was able tell em, no, but hey , you can go track riding if you want

[Fanie]

If another boat accompanies her (at a close distance), sure why not.

Alone - no ways. I doubt that people at that tender age can make the right decisions given the troubles they can run into. It will be pure luck if she makes it alone like in alone.

I don't know what it takes to circumnavigate, but children ? I dunno man.

[mark775]

The thing Teddy posted, http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/la...r-goes-missing , will lead to the answer. If she ran away and pouted, she may not be mature enough. If she escaped the government so that she can acheive her objective, she's got grit. I'm voting for grit!

[troy2000]

Looks like some of you guys are saying that it's OK for her to do it alone, as long as she isn't really alone....:)

I don't think trying to be the youngest by a matter of months is a very good reason for what she wants to do. There were several cases here a few years ago of children vying to be the youngest to pilot an airplane across the country. Even with adults as co-pilots it eventually ended badly, with one of them crashing and dying.

[Guest62110524]

I think some are overlooking a fact That 14 year old girls are somewhat scatter barined, they are going through puberty. They do irrational things they also run away a lot
I only hope she is safe in every way

[mark775]

"...are saying that it's OK for her to do it alone, as long as she isn't really alone..." - that's what I'm saying. What a life-changing, wonderful experience for her but Troy, I've seen the ocean and anyone single-handed is a stretch. She's thirteen.

[mark775]

"...girls are somewhat scatter barined." - You have a point.

[troy2000]

"...girls are somewhat scatter barined." - You have a point.

Having grown up with five brothers and umpteen cousins and uncles, and having been young myself, I can testify that young boys aren't always that focused mentally, either.....:D

Unless there's a girl walking by, of course.

[mark775]

Then, they are focused! Actually, I was typing the above for my thirteen and fifteen-year-old daughters - and I got beat-up for it!

[troy2000]

Then, they are focused!

Someone explained to me that it's a matter of males having an insufficient blood supply. There's enough to supply either their head or their crotch, but not enough for both at the same time.

[Angélique]

Some rumors about "disappearing" also http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/laura-dekker-goes-missing

She was found yesterday at Saint Martin in the Caribbean. Her boat is still in Holland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/6853545/Laura-Dekker-missing-girl-sailor-found-on-Dutch-Caribbean-Island.html

Regards,
Angel

[Angélique]

Telegraph 20 Dec 2009 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/6853545/Laura-Dekker-missing-girl-sailor-found-on-Dutch-Caribbean-Island.html):

‘‘During legal proceedings it emerged that Miss Dekker had first been placed in foster care by British police after she sailed single-handed from Holland to Britain in May.’’

After that she sailed also single-handed back. Wind at night SSW 7 Bft. She made it from Lowestoft in the UK to Maurik in Holland in less then 40 hours in a 7 m boat. Note: Maurik is in the middle of Holland! (look it up, Lowestoft and Maurik)

After that she wrote the cover story about it by herself for the Dutch magazine ‘Zeilen’ in July 2009. Thirteen years old at the time.

http://www.zeilen.nl/catalog/images/ZEI0907p001_100.jpg

She is a special girl and should not be judged like an average 14 year old.

To judge whether she is able to circumnavigate one must know what skills are required to do so and what her capabilities are. Is there anyone in this thread who knows about both these aspects :?:

Regards,
Angel

[mark775]

The Dutch authorities should be ashamed of themselves. I didn't really think through even saying something about "running away and pouting". I am behind this kid 100%. They took her captive! They took her from her parents! What is this world coming to?

[mark775]

"Is there anyone in this thread who knows about both these aspects?" - I take it as a matter of faith. I wish I could help her but those Government savages are going to control her life until she finally wins in court years down the road.

[troy2000]

What is so special about her starting her voyage at the age of fourteen? Doing it now instead of after she turns 18, just to break an age record, is a search for celebrity, not for accomplishment.

Is that really such an important reason for circumnavigating the world? She has the rest of her life to do it.

[mark775]

But she has that right, Troy. And after she is older, there will be no notoriety. She will probably not have the backers with more age, she will not get to have the experience, she will not get the indorsements - in short, this will change her entire life.

[Submarine Tom]

I wonder what is motivating her, or should I say who.

And why is she wearing cotton in that photo. Not a good sign.

Unfortunately, we will never know the whole story and so, who are we to

judge? Is there a "right" answer to this controversial question?

I doubt it . Good debate material though, isn't it!!

Personally, I think she should go if the circumstances are right.

Who may be the best to judge that... likely her parents.

-Tom

[Guest62110524]

What Angelique posted, I never knew any of that. Dont watch TV at al so all I see is net
I bought my kids a sailing Dinghy when they were very young, they did not use it once, I never said much , but I was disappointed as hell, I started at 13, only cos before that I lived far from sea
I wish my kids had what she has After reading post of A, I think yes she is special . That piece of sea with its tides, , ships, ferries, would test any of us here, full stop.

[APA-168]

And why is she wearing cotton in that photo. Not a good sign.


Probably for the photo op. Do you think the editor cares if she's properly outfitted?

Anyways, I do agree that the government is being absolutely idiotic. This should be up to her and her parents, not the government. In fact, this sets a frightening precedent. If they can take away someone's child in response to what amounts to a personal and parental decision, I shudder to think what else they might do.

[Angélique]

What is so special about her starting her voyage at the age of fourteen?

Special about her is that she can do this (post#16 (http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/youngest-circumnav-ever-28935-2.html#post325913))* which the average thirteen year old (and many adults!) can't. I can't judge if she capable to circumnavigate because I'm not a expert on both mentioned aspects.

But how experienced is the average adult how starts circumnavigating? And what are the requirements that are be made to them?

See this article (http://www.zeilersweblog.nl/2009/11/verbazing-op-vertrekkersdag/) about that on the blog of the chief editor of the magazine ‘Zeilen’. (Google translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeilersweblog.nl%2F2009%2F11%2Fverbazing-op-vertrekkersdag%2F&sl=nl&tl=en))

About emergency navigation eg in case of broken electronics:
‘‘One of the attendees - please note, they were all sailors who are planning a trip of at least one years to make - even had trouble with Henk's assertion that a circle has 360 degrees. Then it will be very difficult to explain the operation of a kamal for example.’’

I can tell you, Laura knows these things and much more!

Regards,
Angel

* and much more, but it's all in Dutch.

[troy2000]

Special about her is that she can do this (post#17 (http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/youngest-circumnav-ever-28935-2.html#post325913))* which the average thirteen year old can't. I can't judge if she capable to circumnavigate because I'm not a expert on both mentioned aspects.

But how experienced is the average adult how starts circumnavigating? And what are the requirements that are be made to them?

See this article (http://www.zeilersweblog.nl/2009/11/verbazing-op-vertrekkersdag/) about that on the blog of the chief editor of the magazine ‘Zeilen’. (Google translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeilersweblog.nl%2F2009%2F11%2Fverbazing-op-vertrekkersdag%2F&sl=nl&tl=en))

About emergency navigation eg in case of broken electronics:
‘‘One of the attendees - please note, they were all sailors who are planning a trip of at least one years to make - even had trouble with Henk's assertion that a circle has 360 degrees. Then it will be very difficult to explain the operation of a kamal for example.’’

I can tell you, Laura knows these things and much more!

Regards,
Angel

* and much more, but its all in Dutch.

Angelique, I will bow to your assessment of the young lady's capabilities; you obviously know more about her than I do.

But I repeat: what is so urgent about her desire to circumnavigate right this minute? The notoriety and celebrity of temporarily being the youngest to have done so? What then does she do for an encore, after the celebrity has faded?

If she is as balanced and level-headed as you think, she will do just fine in her life without the celebrity--and find another way to make money, if appearing in magazines isn't enough.

It seems to me that Robin Graham (who sailed Dove around the world) had a very difficult time fitting back into society and trying to build a life, after he finished the voyage. I haven't kept up with him for years, so maybe he eventually adjusted....

But there is at least a possibility that letting this young lady circumnavigate the world solo while her classmates are learning to socialize with people, deal with the opposite sex, integrate into society, etc., may not be in her best interests in the long run.

I'm not saying I would automatically agree with the Dutch officials who are trying to block her; I don't claim to be that familiar with the case. But there are some legitimate questions being raised.

[Angélique]

http://zeilmeisje.nl/foto/laurahoogendroog.png
Laura on a class picture from elementary school, always different from the other kids.


http://zeilmeisje.nl/foto/300handtekeningen.png
Dutch newspaper article about Laura, at the age of ten, talking to the mayor because she and her father were no longer allowed to live on a boat in the marina.

Dutch video: Roy Heiner about Laura (http://nos.nl/video/41676-roy-heiner-over-zeiltocht-laura.html). He is an expert on both mentioned aspects - requirements and capabilities - and says she's able to circumnavigate solo!

Regards,
Angel

[Angélique]

..... But I repeat: what is so urgent about her desire to circumnavigate right this minute? The notoriety and celebrity of temporarily being the youngest to have done so? What then does she do for an encore, after the celebrity has faded?

If she is as balanced and level-headed as you think, she will do just fine in her life without the celebrity--and find another way to make money, if appearing in magazines isn't enough.

..... But there is at least a possibility that letting this young lady circumnavigate the world solo while her classmates are learning to socialize with people, deal with the opposite sex, integrate into society, etc., may not be in her best interests in the long run. .....


The longest crossing will be ± 3 weeks, that's long certainly for a child. But most crossings are much shorter. She wil take two years for the trip. She's not after a speed record! So most of the time will be spent by waiting in marinas for good weather and the right conditions for the next crossing (boring). In those marinas are many other circumnavigators who are in the same circumstances. They all sail at the same time of the year because of the wether etc. The other circumnavigators will pamper her when she's not sailing, that's for sure! Remember that's most of the time. She will never have to cook while she's in a marina! Many of the other circumnavigators will have children of her age on board. So social contacts are no problem. She will do her school by the ‘‘wereldschool (http://www.wereldschool.nl/)’’. She has disipline enough to do that independently via the internet that she has on board. Her mental growth during the trip will be much more then when she stay's at home. Especially for her because she's not a stay at home girl.

Regards,
Angel

P.S.
Many visits of the guidance team! See her route plan (http://www.lauradekker.nl/lauradekker/download/1Laura_Dekker_De_Passaat_Route.pdf) and her FAQ (http://www.lauradekker.nl/lauradekker/download/3Vragen_AntwoordenWebsite.pdf) (and a translator (http://translate.google.com/)?).

[Guest62110524]

Troy
the celebration, will last her whole life
You look at Hillary, Rheinhart Meister(first man climb all 8000m peaks)(sp)
She may even go the way of that most greatest of sailors, man or woman, Isabelle Austissier These unique people climb peaks forever , and the stay there


I say GO GAL GO

[Submarine Tom]

[QUOTE=APA-168;325937]Probably for the photo op. Do you think the editor cares if she's properly outfitted?

I don't know. Do you think they care? Why does she have a PFD on?

[apex1]

The article "Lauras Protest" was a enlightening one. Bringing 300 people to sign a protest note, then fighting the mayor with that;
Chapeaux!

She had the ability to stand and conquer uncomfortable situations (loosing home is´nt nice), already at ten.

Half of the worlds population never comes to that level.

Go Laura! Go sailing! Go now!
You have proven to be able to fight the most dangerous environment on earth, human society. The ocean is´nt THAT dangerous..............but you know.
GO

Regards
Richard

[Fanie]

She is only 13 and should be accompanied by another boat in case something goes wrong.

It also has everything to do with the Dutch Gov - it is one of their's that wants too attempt something exraordinary and they should support it seeing if she succeeds it will be a feather in their cap.

[JLIMA]

While not a trip I'd be interested in making myself, I can't see a reason why she should be taken to custody by the dutch gov. That to me seems a more than a little over intrusive and, much more a matter for her to go over with her parents. Me not knowing her capabilities, however, prevents me from saying she should or shouldn't although her solo england trip does bode well for her case of making the trip.

[Guest62110524]

She is only 13 and should be accompanied by another boat in case something goes wrong.

It also has everything to do with the Dutch Gov - it is one of their's that wants too attempt something exraordinary and they should support it seeing if she succeeds it will be a feather in their cap.

Fans, she may well have the maturity of a boy 17 and 18 and up, so providing someone like Isa or Ellen, could teach her things like retrieving halyards and stuff, clearing fouled screws, then that would prepare her
I am sure there are many solo sailors watching , who could help in that way
i would not be suprised if some all gal crack racing crew does not invite her along. In fact the silence is deafening from those quarters
All I can say is, I wish I had a daughter like this , raw courage and spirit!!!

[APA-168]

[QUOTE=APA-168;325937]Probably for the photo op. Do you think the editor cares if she's properly outfitted?

I don't know. Do you think they care? Why does she have a PFD on?

I apologize, my tone was somewhat curt. That said, I strongly suspect that she was wearing whatever was handy/whatever looked best. I also think that as an editor, you would probably not want a 13 year old on the cover of your magazine not wearing a PFD. Wouldn't look too good. However, the cotton thing is something that most people would not pick up on (including me!)

[TeddyDiver]

Is this better? thou the PFD is the same so think it's her own and she's wearing it.. again..

[CDK]

Very annoying, this Laura story.
She keeps reappearing on every Dutch TV channel and newspaper.

I have nothing against talented kids, but this is just a media circus. Recently she "escaped" to the island of St. Maarten, was reported missing and is now escorted back to Holland. All of this is staged because her parent(s) do anything to keep her in the spotlights.

This is simply a case where people seem to think that money can bend laws.
Back to school Laura!

[apex1]

not tomorrow but........




14-year-old Dutch sailor given the green light to sail

.
In an amazing reversal, a Dutch court has ignored child welfare workers' plea that would-be circumnavigating teen sailor Laura Dekker be put in the care of a foster family.

Further, they have assured her that, pending certain conditions being met, she will definitely be allowed to go sailing next summer.

This means that the young sailor, who was born on a sailing boat in New Zealand, will be allowed to go sailing solo before her 15th birthday in September next year.

Laura's ambition is to undertake a two year circumnavigation voyage in her Hurley 800, an 8.3 metre boat called Guppy, and she reportedly 'jumped a hole in the sky' when she heard the news.

In an earlier court hearing, no guarantee was given that, when the court met in May next year, she would be permitted to go sailing. Then, her father and the child welfare authorities clashed on how Laura was to prepare for the planned long journey.

Laura, disturbed by the clashing adults, disappointed by the 'gut feeling' that, no matter what, she would not be allowed to go sailing next year, pressured by the attention of the press and with her grades slipping, ran away from home, leaving her father a letter.

Family spokeswoman, Mariska Woertman commenting on the latest court ruling, said 'That it took a trip to Sint Maarten, so be it.'

The written ruling stated: 'It appears that child welfare authorities and the father weren't able to cooperate on drawing up a plan of attack....Because of this, Laura became caught in a downward spiral.'

Laura's lawyer Peter de Lange praised Wednesday's decision for clarifying that if Laura meets certain conditions — which were not made public — she will be given permission to depart on her trip next summer.
'It's not, 'do your best and we'll see' anymore,' he said. 'It's, 'if you do your best than it's going to happen and we'll see to it that it does'.'

AAP reported that Laura's mother Babs Muller had left the court in tears earlier Wednesday after her home had been excluded as a possible place for Laura to stay. 'They know everything much better,' she told reporters sarcastically, pointing to the courthouse. 'They know what's best for my child.'

For the background to this story, read earlier Sail-World stories from this week here and here

The record status, in brief:
The youngest person to sail solo around the world is 17-year-old Mike Perham of Britain, who commenced attempting a non-stop unassisted sail, but was forced to stop several times for repairs to his boat. He took the title from American Zac Sunderland, who set out, as is Laura's ambition, to go sailing from port to port, and had just finished his two-year circumnavigation when Mike Perham, in a much faster boat and a couple of months younger, completed his.

Now Australian 16-year-old Jessica Watson, is currently trying to beat, not Perham's record, during which he stopped several times, but fellow Australian Jesse Martin's non-stop unassisted record, which he established in 1999.

Zac Sunderland's younger sister Abby Sunderland, also 16 but younger than Jessica, is on the verge of commencing her own attempt at Jesse Martin's record, commencing from Marina del Rey in California, and again on a much faster boat.

Laura, when she embarks on her voyage, will not be trying for these records, as her journey will be a cruising journey, stopping at many points along the way, and not, under the current plans, venturing into the Southern Ocean.

However, if she completes her own journey in time, she could still end up as the youngest sailor, with or without stops, to circumnavigate the world.




by Nancy Knudsen 4:50 AM Thu 24 Dec 2009 GMT
sail world.com

[apex1]

and not to forget the pretty negative part of the story, "child welfare" being the childrens worst enemies. And that is valid all over Europe, they´re just nuts!

see:



Father may lose custody of runaway 14-year-old sailor

'Sad face - Laura on her way to catch her flight back to the Netherlands'
http://www.sail-world.com/photos/std_Laura%20prepares%20to%20board%20a%20flight%20back%20to%20the%20Netherlands.jpg
While 16-year-olds Jessica Watson and Abby Sunderland are well along the way to their goals to sail solo round the world, 14-year-old Laura Dekker, who had similar ambitions but was forbidden by a Dutch court to go sailing, has now been returned in custody to the Netherlands after running away from home.**

She had successfully avoided European regulations, which would have prevented her from travelling as a minor without permission, by flying to Paris and taking the onward flight to Sint Maarten in the Caribbean on her New Zealand passport. Laura holds dual Dutch and New Zealand citizenship.

After arriving back in Amsterdam on a flight from the Netherlands Antilles island of Curacao, Dekker was interviewed by police and then turned over to child-care authorities. Police have not commented about their discussion with her.

Holland's Bureau of Youth Care wants to remove the girl from the home of her father, Dick. Dekker's parents are divorced, and her mother unlike her father, does not approve of her sailing ambitions.

A district court hearing about Dekker is slated for Wednesday local time.

An official at the Utrecht court said a closed doors hearing would be held to hear the request from welfare authorities to place Laura in court custody. A ruling will be handed down soon after.

'Options include placing her into foster care or with her mother,' the court official said.

Where she wants to be - sailing her yacht Guppy - .. .
Born on her parents' boat in New Zealand, Dekker spent the first four years of her life at sea and had intended to start a two-year solo voyage round the world on her 8.3 metre yacht Guppy on September 1 when she was still 13.

Her grandparents criticised youth welfare workers for their treatment of Dekker in a letter in yesterday's De Volkskrant.

'Since the Bureau of Youth Care got involved, we have seen Laura change from a positive teenager into a child who has lost all trust in adults,' they wrote.

**It is pertinent to note that Laura was NOT wanting to emulate the circumnavigations of the two 16-year-olds who are currently set on make-or-break journeys through some of the most difficult conditions on the planet. The difference, which is huge, is that they are attempting circumnavigations 'non-stop and unassisted'.

Laura, whatever you think of her age and whether she should be allowed to go solo sailing, wanted to sail in short legs, from port to port, similar to the journeys of hundreds of cruising sailors each year, and there have been no indications that she wanted to enter high latitudes. She has already completed many thousands of sailing miles with her parents, and, at the age of 11, sailed the English Channel twice solo, in her yacht Guppy.


by Nancy Knudsen 6:03 AM Wed 23 Dec 2009 GMT

sail-world.com

[Submarine Tom]

APA-168,

Apology accepted.

Merry Christmas (or seasons greetings, which ever applies the best).

-Tom

[CDK]

Yesterday's Dutch evening news stated an agreement has been reached with Laura's father. As he will surely loose custody if another incident emerges, we will probably hear nothing for quite a while.

Laura told the reporter of the newscast she expects to sail around her 18th birthday....

[apex1]

Jeah, another great example how the dumb mass is hammering a bright personality down to her own level.

Look at this bright and upright person, claiming her rights!
http://zeilmeisje.nl/foto/300handtekeningen.png

Self confident, stable backbone and a clear body language, that is a mature personality! (not the mayor, the Girl)

But of course, living on a boat with daddy, bahhh.
Having a own boat at 11, uuhhh.
Sailing solo cross the channel (twice) at 13, iihhh.
And who takes care... and thats all soo dangerous... that should be forbidden....

How can a society like ours, accept such a brilliant character?
NOT...........
We would have to kill all the fat, dumb, barefaced bastards terrorizing the average home. But they are "standard", Laura Dekker is not!

So, better we pull her down to standard, to get drown in the average crap, before we accept she is better than the critters populating our houses.

It is not uncommon that grandparents are the better parents, but at least they know from a higher point of view whats up with a child.
So I like to quote Laura Dekkers Grandparents again:

Her grandparents criticised youth welfare workers for their treatment of Dekker in a letter in yesterday's De Volkskrant.

'Since the Bureau of Youth Care got involved, we have seen Laura change from a positive teenager into a child who has lost all trust in adults,' they wrote.

I hope Laura is strong and stable enough to fullfil the agreement with the authorities, and to make her dream come true as soon as possible.
I hope Laura was just bent a bit, not broken!

my2C

Regards
Richard