Dutch authorities sue parents of 13 year-old to stop solo sail trip around the world

[woody60707]

I love how the government admits this isn't breaking any laws. Then says (well there should be), and just pretends there is...

 

[GinandTonic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8223773.stm

Young British sailor returning home
A British teenager is set to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world when he returns home later on Thursday.

Mike Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire set off on November 15 last year on the 30,000 mile trip.

He is expected to take the crown from American Zac Sunderland who was named the youngest to do the same task when he completed his journey in July.

Vid of family and kid in the linky.

 

[Narz]

I hope they let the Dutch girl beat his record.

 

[Bill3000]

Dodgem, the Queen's English which is of course correct

No, it's been irrelevant for the past 63 years.

 

[Mise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8223773.stm



Vid of family and kid in the linky.

He was 16 when he left so it's alright with me.

 

[Dragonlord]

Morally, I feel the government should just butt out - if the girl wants to do it and her parents believe she can do it, it's not the governments business to butt in.

Granted, it's dangerous, but everyone should be free to take their own risks.

 

[Grisu]

Morally, I feel the government should just butt out - if the girl wants to do it and her parents believe she can do it, it's not the governments business to butt in.

Granted, it's dangerous, but everyone should be free to take their own risks.

I basically agree with you there, it's just that the laws seem to be hypocritical in this area. I mean on one hand we deny teenagers the ability to decide when to have sex and with whom, when to drink alcolhol, etc and on the other hand sailing around the world alone (which is undoubtedly more dangerous than either of the above) is perfectly fine?

I agree that the government should stay out of this, doesn't stop me from thinking her parents are acting irresponsibly here.

 

[J-man]

The court has decided: Laura will be placed under supervision of the child protection service for two months. Her parents are not removed from custody. The court will use the two months to investigate the 'development level' of Laura and to investigate if she is able to pass two classes while on the trip.

(Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282683.ece/Laura_Dekker_voorlopig_onder_toezicht

Laura wanted to give up her Dutch citizenship and use her New Zealand passport. But the New Zealand Children’s Commissioner has warned that she will face the same problems there. Also, England has warned they will act if Laura sails in to their port. Her father can be prosecuted for serious neglect if that happens.

Edit: (Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282553.ece

sorry, could find any English links yet.

 

[crabapple]

The court has decided: Laura will be placed under supervision of the child protection service for two months. Her parents are not removed from custody. The court will use the two months to investigate the 'development level' of Laura and to investigate if she is able to pass two classes while on the trip.

(Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282683.ece/Laura_Dekker_voorlopig_onder_toezicht

Laura wanted to give up her Dutch citizenship and use her New Zealand passport. But the New Zealand Children’s Commissioner has warned that she will face the same problems there. Also, England has warned they will act if Laura sails in to their port. Her father can be prosecuted for serious neglect if that happens.

Edit: (Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282553.ece

sorry, could find any English links yet.

*just shakes head *

 

[Mise]

BBC Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8226196.stm

 

[Newbunkle]

What a ridiculous level of interference by government. The most they should have done is require her to take a test to prove competence, and have another boat to sail alongside so that she can be rescued if anything happens. And if she doesn't do her school work she can catch up or repeat a year.

 

[aelf]

What a ridiculous level of interference by government. The most they should have done is require her to take a test to prove competence, and have another boat to sail alongside so that she can be rescued if anything happens.

But that's government interference! Those who are against government interference should be for her sailing on her own and leaving whether she lives or dies as her own business.

 

[Jazzmail]

The court has decided: Laura will be placed under supervision of the child protection service for two months. Her parents are not removed from custody. The court will use the two months to investigate the 'development level' of Laura and to investigate if she is able to pass two classes while on the trip.

(Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282683.ece/Laura_Dekker_voorlopig_onder_toezicht

Laura wanted to give up her Dutch citizenship and use her New Zealand passport. But the New Zealand Children’s Commissioner has warned that she will face the same problems there. Also, England has warned they will act if Laura sails in to their port. Her father can be prosecuted for serious neglect if that happens.

Edit: (Dutch) link: http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1282553.ece

sorry, could find any English links yet.

Atleast for now Common sense has prevailed in England, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

 

[onedreamer]

The Dutch child protection services have sued the parents of 13 year old Laura Dekker.
The girl wants to set the record as youngest person who ever circumnavigated the world in a sailboat. She wants to leave in September (when she will be 14) and the trip will take at 1-2 years.

The child protection services believes that a 14 year old cannot over see the dangers of solo circumnavigation. She will also miss school but she has said she will do schoolwork that has been E-mailed to her.

She has permission from her parents (who are divorced) to go. The child protection wants to remove the parents (partially) from custody because otherwise they can only intervene when she's already on her trip and absent from school.

What do you think? Can a 14 year old girl sail around the world solo?

Well, let's start with saying that normally Dutch authorities aren't known for their restrictive policies
I was even surprised to read that they do exist

On a more serious note, if school is mandatory until 16 in the Netherlands, then Dutch authorities are obviously right, in the other case I think they are wrong and that the decision should be left to parents. Let's remember that these kind of trips are only formally made alone, but the protagonists are never REALLY alone.

 

[aelf]

Let's remember that these kind of trips are only formally made alone, but the protagonists are never REALLY alone.

'cause god is with them?

 

[onedreamer]

well, I was more thinking of the Radio and technology in general. You'll most likely receive an help if you ask it through a radio. God is more likely to interact with you in the afterlife

 

[Narz]

But that's government interference! Those who are against government interference should be for her sailing on her own and leaving whether she lives or dies as her own business.

Most people are for some sort of "government interference". For the cost of all this drama they are causing the poor girl they could probably afford to send a boat just behind her. This would also bring glory to the Netherlands instead of making them look bad.

 

[aelf]

Most people are for some sort of "government interference".

Just pointing out that that's government interference too. The funny thing is the government is not allowed to stop you from doing whatever you want but is expected to come and save your arse if you choose to do something funny that they weren't allowed to stop you from doing.

For the cost of all this drama they are causing the poor girl they could probably afford to send a boat just behind her. This would also bring glory to the Netherlands instead of making them look bad.

Her personal safety is not the only issue, is it?

Anyway all she has to do is wait like 2 years. You're making it out like she's being horribly oppressed or something

 

[Mise]

For the cost of all this drama she could have stayed at home, gone to school, got her education done over the next 2 years then sailed round the world when she was 16 like the sensible Brit did above.

 

[J-man]

For the cost of all this drama they are causing the poor girl they could probably afford to send a boat just behind her. This would also bring glory to the Netherlands instead of making them look bad.

Why does this make the Netherlands look bad? England and New Zealnad have said that they would do the same thing.