Posted on 12/20/2009 2:34:38 PM PST by Steelfish
December 20, 2009 Girl Sailor Laura Dekker Found in Dutch Antilles
Laura Dekker, 13, who wants to sail round the world IMAGE :1 of 2 Jenny Booth
A teenage Dutch sailor who unsuccessfully went to court to fight for her right to sail solo around the world has been found after having been missing for two days,.
The Dutch news agency ANP reported that Miss Dekker, 14, was found on the island of St Martin in the Dutch Antilles.
Laura Dekker’s boat, Guppy, is still moored at its usual berth but it appears that she left her father’s home on her own, said Bernhard Jens, a spokesman for Utrecht police. Mr Jens would not comment on a report in De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, that Dekker withdrew €3,500 (£3,100) from her bank account a few days ago
In October, Utrecht District Court refused to let Miss Dekker embark on her attempt to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world following concerns about her knowledge of first aid, sleep management and overall safety plans — and arrangements for distance schooling. She was placed her under the supervision of childcare authorities.
Miss Dekker has joint Dutch and New Zealand citizenship because she was born on a yacht in New Zealand waters.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Crazy parents.
Still, she has independent thoughts which put her far above most government skool kids.
Actually, this young lady is very smart. She could have done a lot worse than St. Martin. I’ve been there — really nice.
Still, I’d like to know why she didn’t contact her parents or someone to let them know where she was.
Always makes me wonder about the accuracy of the rest of the article.
How did she go from 13 to 14 in the course of the story? Is tomorrow her birthday and she’s already 14 in New Zealand but still 13 in Holland?
Age does not determine skill, mental health endurance, or expertise in sailing. Began sailing solo at the age of six. Was born on water. Focus was on sailing. Prepared for 3 years for her voyage. Her parents divorced. Father would lose custody if she sailed, courts said. (maybe more than meets the eye)
The world can be a classroom in reality. Laura is not the "typical" 14 year old.
A child prodigy in sports. Fu Mingxia is a diver and became an Olympic gold medalist at the age of 13. Tiger Woods was playing golf at the age of 2.
International Date Line?
Not till you are 18. And then you’ll have to get a job to pay for it.
Either that or we go back to having 10 kids hoping half roothog or die to maturity. With one or two we take no chances.
And Davey Crockett killed himself a bear when he was only 3. (Don't know how old he was when he took up golf.)
She was 13 when the photo was taken. Since the photo, she has turned 14.
She should be more careful. Women end up dead down there....
She should be more careful. Women end up dead down there....
She should be more careful. Women end up dead down there....
You are the third poster to point that out.
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