I had forgotten that Laura Dekker was sailing around the world solo. Laura set sail from the Netherlands at the age of 15 and is trying to be the youngest to singlehanded circumnavigate the globe. Her history can be read at wikipedia and involves the Dutch courts trying to block her voyage. She is one of many who tried this including Abby Sunderland from CA, USA and Jessica Watson from Australia. Abby did not complete the voyage: her boat Wild Eyes was hit by a rogue wave, turned upside own and dismasted. Her EPIRB rescue device saved her as its transmission was detected by a commercial aircraft and Australia launched a rescue mission. Jessica did complete her voyage and is the youngest to circumnavigate the globe solo.
There has been a lot of talk online about these voyages with many opposed feeling that it is too risky for a young person, others appalled by the costs for rescue - estimated to be $200,000 for Abby Sunderland. Certainly there is an age that is too young, but what is it? I would have been concerned about my own kids setting sail at a young age. However, I disagree with the arguments about the costs of rescue. Part of the human spirit is to adventure. Where would we be today if our predecessors had not had this spirit? Each developed-country has established rescue services, the US coastgaurd, for example, to help people in distress. Every time we sail we know they are there should we need them. One could argue that countless dollars are wasted on grown adults being rescued because they set sail without proper training, or were DUI. I wonder how many of our tax payers dollars are wasted on these people. I am certainly not opposed to them being there for the well trained and prepared young sailors who happen to be hit by the one in a million rogue wave.
One good aspect of Laura Dekkers trip is that she started early enough (of course this means at a younger age too) so that she can make the trip in two years. This allows her to stop in destinations and await good weather windows for the next leg. This is prudent sailing in contrast to others who have pushed through to allow the potential to make the record books and as a result have sailed into bad weather seasons.
But about the age? Age does not necessarily bring maturity or common sense. I will not go into details here, but I am sure we can all think of immature adults......How young is too young? If you had a son or daughter who truly was a pioneer would you hold them back especially if they were highly qualified? Where I get concerned is when it is the parents who are trying to live through their children and "push" them to do the voyage. I certainly remember being on the sidelines and listening and watching parents living their youth through their children's "voluntary" participation in sports. Hopefully parents aren't pushing their children to sea for the book contracts that will result on completion of the trip.
I don't have answers but I do respect the adventuring spirit and wish Laura well, and as a parent, can only imagine what her parents are going through. Each morning we wake to read the news. Each morning they wake to read about their daughters journey and at the same time hope not to hear that the EPIRB has been activated.
I find her and other journey's inspiring and hope that I can make the time to do it myself before I run out of days. Perhaps its time to set my date and begin planning.
If you have thoughts about Laura, or the topic please enter in the comment box. Also follow her journey. Whether you agree that she should be doing it, she is, so lets support her.
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