Dutch 14-year-old's plan to sail round world backed by court

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

A Dutch teenager whose plans to become the youngest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe were blocked by a court is set to fulfil her ambition after judges gave the go-ahead to her venture, provided her parents agree.

The case of Laura Dekker ignited worldwide debate over the risks to ever-younger sailors chasing records when she announced she wanted to embark on her adventure at the age of 13 last year.

Despite support from her father, himself an experienced sailor, the Dutch authorities made her a ward of court amid concern over whether she was mentally and physically equipped to deal with the voyage. Now 14, Dekker could set off on her journey from Portugual within two weeks after her guardianship order was lifted today.

The Council for Child Protection, the Dutch government's umbrella childcare agency, had asked the court to extend the order for a further year. But the youth protection group asked to assess her welfare disagreed and said she was ready to sail.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/27/dutch-sailing-laura-dekker

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Right after the American teenage sailor Abby Sunderland almost died in the Indian Ocean.

[grantcart]

1. They should be required to put up a million dollar bond to cover the rescue attempt

[Poll_Blind]

2. +1

PB

[EmilyKent]

3. Horray, she gets her chance!

The record is 16, so she has a good shot at it.

[Poll_Blind]

4. But the youth protection group asked to assess her welfare disagreed and said she was ready to sail.

Oh? Does the youth protection group also train sailors too?

PB

[EmilyKent]

5. She doesn't need training.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Soon we'll have a fetus circumnavigating the globe nt

[LostinVA]

8. Seriously

[LostinVA]

7. Ugh

She is a child, and isn't mature enough to have to process and make certain decisions. Appalling.

[Baclava]

9. Ah what the hell. ....You go girl!

Adventure is great for all ages.

You only live once.


Born at sea

The experienced sailor was born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand during a seven-year world trip. She had her own yacht by the age of six and began sailing solo when she was 10.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10772051