Posted on 01/21/2012 9:08:16 PM PST by Oztrich Boy
You can probably imagine the kinds of nightmares a teenager on a solo voyage round the world might suffer from: pirate kidnappings, treacherous coral reefs or perhaps scary encounters with mysterious sea creatures.
But not Laura Dekker.
The 16-year-old schoolgirl's sleep is haunted by memories of the traumatic experiences she suffered at the hands of the Dutch authorities.
And ever since she set her sights on sailing round the world she says Dutch social services have done their best to stop her from pursuing her dream.
~~~~
Earlier this month truancy officers issued her father with a summons claiming that the schoolgirl had been failing to complete her homework on time.
But as their lawyer Peter de Lange explains, it's not always that easy when you're sailing round the world.
"There are some limitations. Laura doesn't always have access to the internet. Sometimes there are storms and she has to put her own survival first," he says.
"We never meant to make her life difficult - only to look out for her safety” - Caroline Vink, Netherlands Youth Institute
"She is doing her best but the school knew before she set off that there would be times when she might not be able to meet the deadlines."
And yet it is perhaps no surprise that the authorities might have something to say about a 14-year-old girl dropping out of school to go off round the world on a boat on her own.
"We have a duty to investigate. The law says you must stay in school until you are 16," says Caroline VinkLaura has already made it clear that although she loves the Netherlands she finds life too stifling there and does not wish to return.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Just one correction to the article. Laura does not yet have the title of youngest solo circumnavigator. Completing the circunavigation gives her a claim on the title, but under the precedent established by Jessica Watson, the actual title depends on her beating the current holder at armwrestling. That's how Jessica took the title from Jesse Martin - It's a Klingon thing.
It’s nice to see some positive news for a change. That girl must have a lot of guts, she’ll go far in life.
VINK,..is a “FINK”
the Dutch are a bunch of “INBRED” Marxists.
And to think in centuries past the Dutch owned the seas. How far they have fallen.
LOL! When you celebrate with Vegamite and crackers, you're pretty darn tough.
/johnny
She completed the trip yesterday!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46081751?ocid=ansmsnbc11
I’m not going to demean Lauras accomplishment one bit. It is a huge one I would be proud of myself at 45 years old.
That being said, you are not comparing apples to apples when comparing Laura to Jessica Watson. Laura made her voyage sailing port to port.avoiding many things. Jessica circumnavigated NON-STOP. Huge difference
I’m not going to demean Lauras accomplishment one bit. It is a huge one I would be proud of myself at 45 years old.
That being said, you are not comparing apples to apples when comparing Laura to Jessica Watson. Laura made her voyage sailing port to port.avoiding many things. Jessica circumnavigated NON-STOP. Huge difference
I’m not going to demean Lauras accomplishment one bit. It is a huge one I would be proud of myself at 45 years old.
That being said, you are not comparing apples to apples when comparing Laura to Jessica Watson. Laura made her voyage sailing port to port.avoiding many things. Jessica circumnavigated NON-STOP. Huge difference
Yeah, I know, that’s what the article (and me) said.
Yes, she will.
OK mainly the media that does this, not me. I know the difference, but what ya gonna do when they can barely connect two factors:{boat around world, youngest)? Just go with it.
(For those who came in late):But Laura still done good, and after watching how she did, I'm thinking that if she had decided on the nontouristy option 4, spent a year getting her boat Southern Ocean rated and training in the North Atlantic, then set out a year later (ie August 2011), by now she could have rounded Cape Horn ans been on the run home up the Atlantic.There are a number of ways of sailing solo around the world
1. going from east to west following the trade winds near the equator and using the Suez and Panama canals to avoid that bad weather down south.
2. as above but going south of Cape of Good Hope to avoid the pirate.These are fairly easy voyages and noone takes any notice how many people do it unless the solo sailor is really young.
3. Not using the canals and going West to East beneath all the continents. A lot harder, really bad weather and even if you stop, the safe harbours are a lot further apart. Sir Robin Knox Johnston keeps a list, just 181 names on it.
4. The same, but not stopping on the way. This is getting serious, maybe 70 people, so few it really doesn't make any difference if they are young or not (although I will point out that 3 of them are Australian teenagers, including Jessica Watson)5. Same waters, but the "wrong way" east to west against wind a current - down to single figures.
That's why I'm thinking the question of Better Sailor: Jessica or Laura? might have to be settled by arm wrestling.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.