14-year-old girl heads out to sea
14-year-old girl heads out to sea
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 Wednesday and sailed off from the Netherlands hoping to become the youngest person to make a solo voyage around the world.
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 Wednesday, 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.
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 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) west of Australia.
Three months ago, Australian Jessica Watson, completed a 210-day voyage on her 34-foot (10-meter) yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, around the world at age 16.
But while Watson remained at sea nonstop, Laura plans to stop at dozens of ports along the way to meet her family, rest, stock up and make boat repairs. She hasn't ruled out returning home to catch up on her studies if necessary before resuming her trip.
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 in response to a reporter's question.
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- Posted on August 11, 2010
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1. Main point- This is amazing that a 14 year old girl is going on a SOLO sea trip. That would scare me half to death if I had to travel around in the sea by myself!! But I am very impressed that she is actually going to do it but also scared for her.
2. Affecting me- This affects me because I know adults think kids can't do anything but this proves that they can
3. Future- This might affect me in the furtue because when I'm an adult I won't judge kids.
She is an incredibly ambitious girl, wanting to fulfill a dream such as that one. Being so far away from friends, family and animals, I don't think I'd have enough courage. I'd list all the negatives, which would be more than the positives, and I'd forget about it completely. But she was dogged, and now she's living her dream, sailing the seas, reaching new areas and exploring. I wish we got to keep up with her more, but we barely talk about her. Anyway, she's one lucky girl. I wish her the best of luck!
I remember last school year when we talked about her. How much food can she pack on that little sailing boat, She crossed the Atlantic so come on, there must be like a magical door leading to a storage for all that food.
If I Was Her Too Remember my family i would bring things to remember them. But if i wanted to do something when the sea was calm i would read a book or write in a journal or write a book.
I think i would miss my family if i went around the world by myself.My brother,annoying as he is,is the one I would miss the most.He is my fave pastime,other than reading,watching him is better than t.v. or video games.But at least you get to see them whenever you stop on land.
i think laura dekker is the most bravest girl on earth. but thats my opinion most people think that she cant and or couldent do it but she is. even though she misses her family she can do it. i wouldnt be able to do any thing that she is doing now and i wouldnt be able to be away from my family.but beside all that i think she can do it.
Wow that's amazing! I think that is cool because she traveled the world and still going. I would like to do that but i don't think i could. The reason for that is because i would miss my family.
This girl has some guts. I have jumped off of a bridge into water, but that was only about, 40 feet. I would like to go sky diving and what not. However, I would never sail around the world on my own, I love this girl for her courage. I also believe that they shouldn't take away teen records, if a child wants to break a record, let them try.
I think she's got a lot of nerve to do something like this by herself. I understand why she would want to go, and why she has been so set in her mind on going, but i have no idea why in this world her parents would let her go, knowing all the dangers, and all the people she would have to come into contact with, especially being a 13 year old girl and all. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be able to accomplish this, but there will most likely be a lot of bumps along the way. I am praying that everything turns out o.k, that will be horrible if anything happened to her out in the ocean, by herself.
Laura is super brave. She has the guts to go all around the world alone. I would be to scared to go all around the world alone. The parents are crazy. She is only 14!!!