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

[Formaldehyde]

She had to do a first aid training, improve her sailing skill and arange something with her school amongst others.

It sure sounds like she was well-prepared to circumnavigate the world alone.

 

[Communisto]

NO ONE should EVER sail alone. Even master sailors avoid going out by themselves because its DANGEROUS, against common sense and basic waterfront safety.

Thread over.

 

[Cutlass]

And yet, as we've pointed out, it's been done.

 

[Communisto]

*blows whistle* no running on deck!

 

[Formaldehyde]

It is indeed true that the first rule of proper seamanship is to always stand a watch. But many "master sailors" violate that rule all the time. Most lengthy sailboat voyages are done with inadequate crew to perform this task, especially in situations where you literally go for days without seeing another vessel or any obstacle which could endanger your boat. Most of them also don't have insurance for this very reason.

 

[emzie]

NO ONE should EVER sail alone. Even master sailors avoid going out by themselves because its DANGEROUS, against common sense and basic waterfront safety.

Thread over.

Well duh? If it wasn't dangerous, it wouldn't be an accomplishment.

 

[Formaldehyde]

I've thought quite a lot about singlehanding a sailboat. I almost did it a few years ago. I wasn't going to try to circumnavigate though. Simply sailing around the Caribbean while taking the occasional catnap was plenty dangerous enough for me! Perhaps someday I'll do it.

 

[Communisto]

Well duh? If it wasn't dangerous, it wouldn't be an accomplishment.

Really? You need to go alone to make sailing around the world an accomplishment?

 

[Formaldehyde]

Close to 100% of the people who circumnavigate violate this rule. It is usually done by couples who can stand watches better than solo, but they still don't do so all the time. It is a big ocean that is basically empty most of the time, at least if you are smart about it and deliberately avoid shipping channels.

 

[emzie]

Really? You need to go alone to make sailing around the world an accomplishment?

I didn't say circumnavigating the world wasn't an accomplishment in itself. Just doing it alone and while young is something that makes headlines. It's a pretty exclusive club!

 

[Formaldehyde]

Yep. Not that many people who have parents who are both that rich and stupid.

 

[Communisto]

rich and stupid.

I guess this about sums up my opinion on the whole issue.

 

[J-man]

Where's she leaving from, because if she's leaving from the netherlands she'd have to backtrack quite a bit?

She is going to sail from Holland to Portugal. The official start is in Portugal.