Family of teen sailor jubilant on news she is safe

[Catty1]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100611/world/us_yachting_missing_family

Family of teen sailor jubilant on news she is safe

49 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The family of US teen sailor Abby Sunderland was "jubilant" on Friday after she was found safe on her damaged boat in the Indian Ocean during her solo round-the-world attempt.

"It is a huge relief, obviously," Laurence Sunderland told CNN after an Australian search plane spotted his 16-year-old daughter and her vessel.

He said the family was feeling "a great deal of jubilation and elation knowing that Abigail is safe."

The family has not been able to speak with the girl but said that rescue coordinators in Australia indicated that the pilot who spotted her reported that the boat was upright but that the rigging may have been damaged by waves.

"The severe weather conditions she was experiencing the day before this all happened have abated and we're confident that when the fishing vessel arrives ... it will be a successful rescue," Sunderland said.

"We are absolutely over the moon. We are very, very happy and excited that the Australian search and rescue jumped on this right away and got a plane after her."

Australia scrambled a chartered passenger jet from Perth early on Friday to scour seas some 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) away.

Authorities in Reunion Island, near Mauritius, off eastern Africa, said a patrol craft and a trade ship had also been diverted to Sunderland's location, as well as a fishing boat which is expected to reach her within 24 hours.

[Marigold2]

What a brave and gusty teen. A free spirit, who knows no bounds. She is a hero, like all great explorers one needs to take risks to, break the rules to live life to the fullesst. Gosh I wish I would have had her moxie at 16.

[Catty1]

This girl has been on boats since she was 2 months old. Her dad is a shipwright - her brother did a round-the-world trip last year.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-06/12/c_13346713.htm

Her dad said:
"I've never advocated this for 16-year-olds. I've advocated this for experienced sailors."



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-06/12/13346713_11n.jpg
The dismasted yacht "Wild Eyes", sailed by U.S. teenaged sailor Abby Sunderland, is pictured from a search and rescue plane in the Australian search and rescue region of the Indian Ocean in this June 11, 2010 handout. The 16-year-old California girl trying to sail solo around the world is safe and well after a massive search and rescue was launched in the Indian Ocean when she triggered distress signals, her parents and Australian authorities said Friday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

[Lady's Human]

Letting a 15 year old drive a car is endangerment.......

Letting a 16 year old try to solo around the world is.......?

The parents should be getting a bill from every agency involved in the search and rescue.

[Taz_Zoee]

This reminds me of the 8 year old girl that flew a plane and ended up crashing.
I don't understand how the parents could let her do this. I kept asking my boyfriend why they didn't have constant surveillance on her. Of course, like he said, that isn't possible.
I mean, that's great that her brother set the record at age 17 to sail around the world. But why do siblings have to be so competitive? :p

I am very glad that she is safe though. :)

[Catty1]

Well, here's what her parents have to say:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h72YGqMnsp5Ry70CkTNK9LjzL07w

Parents of US teen sailor defend record attempt

(AFP) – 14 hours ago

LOS ANGELES — The parents of a 16-year-old sailor stranded in the Indian Ocean defended their daughter's solo round the world record attempt Friday as the teenager awaited rescue from her stricken yacht.

Abby Sunderland became the center of an international rescue effort when her 40-foot sailboat "Wild Eyes" was dismasted by mountainous waves as the youngster attempted a treacherous winter crossing of the Indian Ocean.

Fears for the youngster's safety mounted after her parents lost contact with her shortly before two emergency beacons on the craft were activated on Thursday.

Australia scrambled a chartered passenger jet from Perth to scour seas some 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) away and finally spotted Sunderland before establishing radio contact with the sailor.

Sunderland, who was reported to be safe and in good spirits Friday, is now waiting to be plucked from the ocean by a French ship diverted to her location, which is expected to arrive sometime on Saturday.

After expressing relief that their daughter had been found safe, Sunderland's parents on Friday rejected criticism of their child's attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

"The fact is whether a teenager, or a young adult or a middle-aged person, there have been many rescues that have taken place," father Laurence Sunderland told NBC television's Today program.

He cited the example of French yachtswoman Isabelle Autissier, rescued from her capsized yacht in the southern Pacific Ocean in 1999 during the solo round-the-world race.

"Do we say that she shouldn't go out there and sail or that nobody should go out and sail because you face hard knocks and sometimes people need to be rescued? I don't think so," Sunderland said.

"Abigail's campaign unfortunately had a blow with the masting out there in the Indian Ocean and she's proven herself on more than one occasion before now to deal with the adversities of the ocean.

"She's proven herself capable of dealing with this. This is more of a testimony to her will to survive and deal with the situation than a travesty that she went out there at all."

Mother Marianne Sunderland meanwhile said the family had sought to minimize the risks of the voyage by having a comprehensive support team in place.

But she doubted whether her daughter would ever attempt such a hazardous record attempt again.

"I am definitely having a bit of a knee jerk reaction," she told CNN. "I don't want anyone going anywhere. (Abby) loves sailing. I don't think she will attempt anything of this magnitude again.

"I am sure she will be out to sea again someday."

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.


For those who are interested, other young world sailors:

Abby's brother:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Sunderland

Zac Sunderland (born November 29, 1991) is an American sailor known for being the first person under the age of 18 to sail solo around the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dicks

David Dicks OAM CitWA, is an Australian yachtsman, made famous for becoming the youngest person to sail non-stop and solo around the world.[1] In February 1996, at the age of 17, he set out from Fremantle, Western Australia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Perham

Michael Perham (born 16 March 1992[2] in Hertfordshire, England) is a young man from Potters Bar who, at the age of 17 years and 164 days, became the youngest person to sail around the world solo...completing his journey on 27 August 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Watson

Jessica Watson (born 18 May 1993) is an Australian sailor, unofficially the youngest individual to sail non-stop and unassisted around the world.[1]

She departed from Sydney on 18 October 2009, heading eastbound over the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. She returned to Sydney on 15 May 2010, three days before her 17th birthday

[blue]

Letting a 15 year old drive a car is endangerment.......

Letting a 16 year old try to solo around the world is.......?

The parents should be getting a bill from every agency involved in the search and rescue.

Yeah squash kids dreams.

I once watched a 16 year old on a dirt oval track racing supermodifieds in Beaver Dam WI.

Letting a 15 YO drive to the store for a carton of Marboros because mommy is to lazy or uncaring, is endangerment. Letting a skilled 15-16 year old try to achieve something and make a mark isnt. To many kids are told they can be great but are held back by overprotective families afraid of their community or locale .Gov to actually let their kids achive.

ETA: I agree the parents and sponsors funded this trip, so they should fund the rescue, unless of course they where smart enough to insure for this sort of outcome, then if the insurance company doesnt pay.... SUE!!!!!

[Hellow]

This girl was insane.

[blue]

This girl was insane.

That girl has huge bawls.

[Lady's Human]

And no common sense whatsoever.

It's WINTER in the southern Indian ocean.

A 15 y/o in a spec'd race car is a far cry from a 16 y/o in a boat with no support.

It's not called crushing their dreams. There's plenty of time to sail around the world on daddy's money. Do it when you've got a few more years of experience under your belt, and plan it better.

[Bonny]

That 16 year old has True Grit. :D

[kokopup]

From what I have read this youngster was already a seasoned sailor. She had already sailed through some very turbulent seas ,and I have no doubt that she would have completed the around the world trip if not for the broken sail.

When my son was very young he raced Motocross and many people ask why I let my son participate in such a dangerous sport. If he was reckless and Unprepared I would agree that he should not be doing this at his young age. i much prefer his racing to what his sons do for activity. They text and video game 24/7 and have absolutely no desire to do anything else.

IMO, I think the parents did all they could have done to ensure the safety of their daughter. Having a support ship under the conditions encountered would have been next to impossible. A support ship may even make conditions more dangerous.

[Catty1]

Abby Sunderland had had to put into two ports for repairs, etc. This changed the original schedule of her trip, which was timed to AVOID the winter storms.

She could have turned back at those times...but had come so far, I guess she decided to chance it.

[Catty1]

Abby Speaks:

Entire article at:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iTF5iyWz2qHyytdLqUnSTlVCtwpA


"There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more," she wrote on soloround.blogspot.com (http://soloround.blogspot.com/). "The truth is, I was in a storm and you don't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm. It wasn't the time of year, it was just a Southern Ocean storm. Storms are part of the deal when you set out to sail around the world.

"As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?"

[Marigold2]

Silly girl for the earth is flat ya know, there are dragons and water monters in the ocean. Flight is a fantasy and the moon is made of cheese.
All great explorers where called crazy and fool hearty in their time.
Is there any one here regardless of age who would try this feat or are we all too scared and just arm chair critics?

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

[Lady's Human]

Silly girl for the earth is flat ya know, there are dragons and water monters in the ocean. Flight is a fantasy and the moon is made of cheese.
All great explorers where called crazy and fool hearty in their time.
Is there any one here regardless of age who would try this feat or are we all too scared and just arm chair critics?

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

Silly me, I was wrong, it's absolutely wonderful that the little princess is off endangering the lives of possibly hundreds of SAR personnel who are out trying to bail her ass out.

How could I possibly let that get into the way of a spoiled little girl doing whatever she wants?

The people who are risking their lives to rescue her aren't coast guardsmen, they're fishermen, following the code of the sea, which is to help out in case of an SOS.

It's great that the skipper of the fishing vessel damned near drowned trying to save her. Now he's a hero. He should have never been in that position, but a pat on the back to him.

[Karen]

Silly girl for the earth is flat ya know, there are dragons and water monters in the ocean. Flight is a fantasy and the moon is made of cheese.
All great explorers where called crazy and fool hearty in their time.
Is there any one here regardless of age who would try this feat or are we all too scared and just arm chair critics?

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

The soldiers in our military are volunteers, and serving the country. Her journey served no one but herself, and her own desires. Please do not compare the two.

She is not in the league of the great explorers like Magellan and Columbus, she was not sailing off into the unknown, and bring back news of new lands.

I know my capabilities, and sailing a boat is not one of them. It is not fear that keeps me from attempting that, but self-knowledge, and responsibilities here on land.

I am glad for her sake that she is safe, and applaud those who rescued her. They are heroes.

[pomtzu]

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

Sending our children off to war - you make it sound like parents are kicking them out. These children sign up voluntarily, and after they are in, they don't exactly have the choice where they would like to go to be of service to our country. Uncle Sam now makes all the decisions in their lives.

And I know that you are old enough to remember that little thing call "the draft" which was far from voluntary. You went where and when you were told, and if you were a protester, perhaps you headed for the border and hoped that you didn't get caught.

This girl was just a glory seeker, and her parents are the only ones to blame for letting her carry out this act of stupidity. And I agree that they should pay all expenses involved in her S&R. This stunt wasn't something this kid had to do at the time in her life. She needs to go back to school and take some courses in Common Sense 101! Just because you have the potential ability to do something, doesn't mean that you should do it!

[Catty1]

One of the points Abby was making is that if you are a sailor who is 16, 26, 42 or 57 years old, you will run into storms and/or other problems, and even need to be rescued. She ALSO pointed out that no one paid attention to her trip (media et al) until things went bad. If she had completed her trip successfully - as with others that have - we wouldn't be having this discussion. So much for doing it for the "glory".

The Sunderlands are a sailing family; I think it is natural that Abby wanted to do this because her brother had a successful run.

One of the young sailors was doing his run to raise money for a charity.

Yes, they volunteered for this. They were trained, had the proper supplies on board.

Comparing it to volunteering for the military might be a bit of apples vs oranges, but I see the point. Odds of survival are much worse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Lady's Human]

One of the points Abby was making is that if you are a sailor who is 16, 26, 42 or 57 years old, you will run into storms and/or other problems, and even need to be rescued. She ALSO pointed out that no one paid attention to her trip (media et al) until things went bad. If she had completed her trip successfully - as with others that have - we wouldn't be having this discussion. So much for doing it for the "glory".

There was much discussion before she started off on this foolhardy trip about the attempt, and a lot of publicity. I remember several articles about her, discussing whether it was bravery or foolish. I voted the latter then.




The Sunderlands are a sailing family; I think it is natural that Abby wanted to do this because her brother had a successful run.

Fine, do the run during the annual around the world race, where there are support mechanisms already in place.



One of the young sailors was doing his run to raise money for a charity.

Yes, they volunteered for this. They were trained, had the proper supplies on board.



Thought this was a solo run?



Comparing it to volunteering for the military might be a bit of apples vs oranges, but I see the point. Odds of survival are much worse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not hardly. Several people have died attempting around the world voyages of the few who have tried to so it solo. To continue with the rather crass and pointless comparison, if you did the math, soldiers and marines in Afghanistan and Iraq have much better chance of survival.

[RICHARD]

There were times in my life my mom would have gladly paid for me to sail around the world.

And she would have prayed for a storm to put the shoes to me.

But, that was MY mom......:eek::confused:;)

[Catty1]

Just to clarify - I said "them" to refer to the other young solo sailors.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I would never allow a 16 year old child of mine do anything like this. Her parents must be made of steel. She must be made of steel.
I have to say, I admire her for trying it but I wish she would have been a little older??
YIKES!!:eek: This just scares me!!

[RICHARD]

Statistically?


It's safer to send your 16 year old to sail around the world, than it is to sent them to school each morning.

:confused:;)

I could be wrong?

[blue]

Seems to me that this 16 year old could out sail all of us combined. It also seems that she has parents who respect her skills and goals.

Take a look at all of the risk takers and adventurers in history who were out for glory and thrills.

[RICHARD]

LOL,

That dope Geraldo Rivera was on TV griping about this story and was advocating the parents being brought up on charges of child endangerment.


If that is so?

Charge Beth Holloway for putting her daughter in danger for letting her go to Aruba.

Morons.

[Marigold2]

These things can be said about people who climb mountains, get lost skiing or just get lost in the woods, forest fires etc.... People will always need to be recused some from stupid mistakes some from nature having a bit of fun.

Silly me, I was wrong, it's absolutely wonderful that the little princess is off endangering the lives of possibly hundreds of SAR personnel who are out trying to bail her ass out.

How could I possibly let that get into the way of a spoiled little girl doing whatever she wants?

The people who are risking their lives to rescue her aren't coast guardsmen, they're fishermen, following the code of the sea, which is to help out in case of an SOS.

It's great that the skipper of the fishing vessel damned near drowned trying to save her. Now he's a hero. He should have never been in that position, but a pat on the back to him.

[Marigold2]

I believe that when ever someone sails off on a long trip it is to a great unknown. Same can be said for walking across the US or biking across this country you go into the unknown with weather, nature and man, all the elements are there to be a blessing or a curse.
The soldiers in our military are volunteers, and serving the country. Her journey served no one but herself, and her own desires. Please do not compare the two.

She is not in the league of the great explorers like Magellan and Columbus, she was not sailing off into the unknown, and bring back news of new lands.

I know my capabilities, and sailing a boat is not one of them. It is not fear that keeps me from attempting that, but self-knowledge, and responsibilities here on land.

I am glad for her sake that she is safe, and applaud those who rescued her. They are heroes.

[Alysser]

Maybe I'm speaking from the minority here, because I usually am, but I don't think it was foolish to let her do something like this. She's experienced, she knew what she was doing. No she didn't have all the experience she could've but I doubt the parents would've let her go had they not trusted in her skills. Would you say the same for a 60 year old who has had one year sailing experience? Experience beats age, in my opinion. Maybe I'm just sick of people telling me what I can't do simply because of my age and medical history.

I am glad she got rescued and everyone involved is unharmed.

[Marigold2]

When I was 17 I went to Germany be myself for 6 weeks. I lived with a great aunt I had only met once before. She really did not keep tabs on me at all and I had a great time. The drinking age in Germany is 16 so for me it was a bit of fun. I traveled to France and Switzerland and just had a blast meeting new people, seeing new things and exploring.
Thinking back it must have been hard on my mom to let me go for I was a bit of a stinker, still am a wild child but the experience was so good for me.
I have never stopped my three from spreading their wings. That is our job as parents to let our children explore and live life to the fullest. Yes we fear for them, but I fear the silence of cancer or heart disease even more.
I have let my children fly and for the most part they have done extremely well there have been a couple of nose dives but that is life.
It is the things in life we DON'T do that we regret mostly, not the things we did. In my case that is so very very true. I have made mistakes a plenty but the biggest regrets are the things I did not do.