Since it got international, opinions

[Fragony]

Meet Laura, soon at Ophra.



She's 13 year old and wants to set the record for being the youngest person in the world that ever sailed around the world. Going to school isn't a choice here by law, but her dad is fine with it as long as she does her homework when being in the middle of the ocean. I think he's an idiot this is extemely dangerous and if I had a daughter even talking about such an adventure I would chain her to whatever is at hand. But it's not my daughter and I don't want to put this bird in a cage, Laura is extremely confident that she can do it, and kinda think as well she's a force of nature. But the care industry disagrees and wants to take her from her parents if they allow it, and to be honest they kinda have a point even if it makes me sick, who in their right minds would allow their 13 year old daughter to sail around the world on her own. But I say go for it. Thoughts?

[rory_20_uk]

Assess Gillick competence or the Fraser guidelines. If she understands the action and potential consequence then fine - treat her as an adult. If she does not, then treat her as a child.

If you can refuse a heart transplant on these grounds which is certain death if you refuse, then this seems reasonable here.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I tend to agree with you.

Some of the commentary I have read suggests that the parents are of the pushy, achievement through their children types, which I personally loathe. However, I don't really know the child or the parents except through the lens of the media.

Nobody should care who the youngest to sail round the world is. Even my cat has done it, alongside being the 5,112th feline to climb Everest without oxygen or kibbles.

However, a full and proper education is far more important to a 13 year old than ten seconds at the end of a new bulletin. Of course the girl wants to be "famous" rather than going to school.

It seems a bit odd that the state has to step in, and I can't say I'm in favour of that. Nonetheless, I can see the argument, as there is a very good chance that a young girl will not have the stamina to battle an unexpected storm, and may well end up in the news for the wrong reasons. I can't imagine why a parent would allow the chance of that happening. One can't stop them once they are eighteen, but one ought to try when they are still dependent.

[Fragony]

I tend to agree with you.

That would be hard since I am undecided. There could be a discussion on how far the responsibility of the state goes. In a way kids taken at the age of 12 and returned at the age of 18.

[Kadagar_AV]

I'm also torn on this issue...

I think I know to little about sailing to be able to calculate the dangers...

Any good sailors in here who can comment on her chances, and of what the risks are?

[Andres]

13? At 13 you shut up, listen and get an education.

Frivolous sailing around the world all by herself at 13. Gah.

Her parents are idiots, so of course the state steps in.

A few slaps for parents and child, back to school and no more of this nonsense.

How did this ever become an issue in the first place?

[Louis VI the Fat]

who in their right minds would allow their 13 year old daughter to sail around the world on her own?

Who? Today's trophy parents. Spend a Saterday afternoon at a football field, listen to the screaming dads, and I think that may come a long way to explain what this is about.

If she wouldn't be the youngest ever, would her parents even consider letting her go on this trip? I think not.

[Fragony]

How did this ever become an issue in the first place?

Well someone refused her to sail around the world. It isn't very dutch to refuse someone to do something. But allowing this might just be a little much Laura is a national catastrophe she is testing our limits.

Any good sailors in here who can comment on her chances, and of what the risks are?

I am not a good sailor, but it's very very dangerous

[Rhyfelwyr]

The parents are behind this. She's too young to sail round the world, don't allow it.

As a minor, there's nothing wrong with the state getting involved. And this isn't one of those 'should the state get involved' discussions revolving around something petty, they want her to sail round the world on her own, that's ridiculous.

[rvg]

Let the girl sail. It's what she does best, probably better than most grown men.

[Fragony]

they want her to sail round the world on her own, that's ridiculous.

Why.

But you can dance on the waves, salt on your lips, the wind in your hair, if you stand tall you have sealegs my dear.

^-oldie dutch poem

Go Laura, she probably isn't going to survive it but if she does I hope she becomes 18.

[Beskar]

I saw no problem at all, untill the last line when you said "on her own".

If she was with her father/an expert at this sort of thing which was confident it could be done, I think it would be a one in a lifetime opportunity if that is what they really wanted and it would be pretty easy to catch up with school work at that age, so that isn't a problem.

The problem part the part she is on her own, this sets alarm bells off everywhere.

[rvg]

I saw no problem at all, untill the last line when you said "on her own".

If she was with her father/an expert at this sort of thing which was confident it could be done, I think it would be a one in a lifetime opportunity if that is what they really wanted and it would be pretty easy to catch up with school work at that age, so that isn't a problem.

The problem part the part she is on her own, this sets alarm bells off everywhere.

I don't see a problem here. In this day and age she can have a clear line of communication with her father who can shadow her every move in a rescue ship.

[macsen rufus]

I'm sure if the situation was reversed, and the parents went off sailing, and left her 'home alone', there would be an army of social workers kicking down the door... well, it would be in the UK, I guess the Netherlands wouldn't be much different.

Like BG I've only seen this through the media lens, so don't know how much this is Laura's idea, how much it is pushy parent syndrome. I applaud her guts and spirit and capability, but it's not just natural dangers out there. Better, more experienced, and fully armed yachtsmen have come croppers at the hands of some very nasty people - what they'd do with a 13yo girl doesn't bear thinking about, given the opportunity.

Weighing the worst that could happen (fill the blank with your own twisted imagination) against the best that could happen (15 minutes fame...) then I think it's a crazy idea. It's not like it's going to be a major breakthrough for mankind or anything...

It's teenagers' job to push the envelope and seek danger and all that. It's parents' job to keep them alive 'til they're adults.

[Beskar]

I don't see a problem here. In this day and age she can have a clear line of communication with her father who can shadow her every move in a rescue ship.

Actually, that is possible. What are the rules though?

[Gregoshi]

Who is going to check her homework?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I see no reason why she shouldn't do it. She can go back for an extra year of school if that's a concern. She can be tracked with GPS and be kept in constant link with rescue services and family if necessary. As long as she knows what she's doing, there is no reason why she shouldn't, and certainly no reason for the state to step in. This is a matter for her and her family. My parents would not have let me do this, but I am not her and her parents are not my parents, so it is not my call to make.

[Beskar]

Also,if she is experienced, she has one thing other kids don't have. Access to money and it's this money which makes the world go round.

[Tribesman]

So all this story really started when she sailed into Lowestoft on a day out and some local busybody got upset that there was a teenager on a boat and reported her to the British social services

[Crazed Rabbit]

So all this story really started when she sailed into Lowestoft on a day out and some local busybody got upset that there was a teenager on a boat and reported her to the British social services

Really?! Good grief, I fear for the British nation. Well, even more than I did before.

CR

[Fragony]

She was busted before yes, at least she came as far as England at the age of 11.

[Tribesman]

Really?! Good grief, I fear for the British nation. Well, even more than I did before.

Where in America an unaccompanied minor just turning up in port would get the immigration services and the social services
Good grief I fear for the american nation

[Gregoshi]

Where in America an unaccompanied minor just turning up in port would get the immigration services and the social services
Good grief I fear for the american nation

How far we have fallen. Just last year people had a fear "of" America. Now they simply fear "for" us.

[pevergreen]

In a related story, a 17 Aussie girl had been planning this for months and months, around the world trip and so forth.

She ran into a ship today.

A FREAKING SHIP.

So shes back to land and repairs before starting off. How much is this costing me?

Crashing a tiny yacht into a massive bulk carrier would seem to be more than just a setback to most people, but not to an Australian teenager seeking to become the youngest woman to sail solo around the world.

Jessica Watson, 16, was conducting sea trials in her 10-metre (32 foot) yacht when the collision with the ship occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on her first night at sea.

http://in.reuters.com/article/entert...BrandChannel=0

[Hosakawa Tito]

While I admire her pluck and competitive spirit there will be plenty of time for sailing round the world after her schooling.
Breaking some Guinness Book record should not take precedence over her education unless she can accomplish it when school's not in session. The sea and Mother Nature is not to be taken lightly, especially by a 13 year old who lacks experience for such an endeavor. Better to train up with less arduous trips first.

Who is going to check her homework?

Spoken like a Dad who has heard this all before. Who indeed!

[HopAlongBunny]

Good luck to her.

[naut]

I don't see a problem here. In this day and age she can have a clear line of communication with her father who can shadow her every move in a rescue ship.

Completely agree. Let her go. If they accept and plan for the risks, then of course, let her do it. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something so unique, don't ruin the lass's dream!

What is the current record? 15? 16? It'd take a good 9+ months to complete such a trip, maybe she could delay so as to gain more experience first?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

While my country enshrines the inalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, only the lives of children have been protected on an individual basis through our laws. Unemancipated minors are not deemed to be at "liberty" but the custodial charges of their parents. The pursuit of happiness is rather subjective definitionally, and therefore cannot be truly denied nor promoted by the law-- and there is no way to insure that the pursuit is successful.

If her parents are willing, and are willing to make the necessary arrangements for her education, I don't believe she could be held back from doing this. I would never allow it for my own child, but their child is not mine.

Also, if she is legally, emancipated, she could do this of her own choice and nobody could gainsay it.

What is the applicable Dutch Law or superceding European Union law?

[Husar]

Looks like her competition is out of the race for now...

[Ronin]

she's 13...which means she doesn´t know all!
now sit down, shut up and do as you´re told before I go upside your head!

if she wants to kill herself she's free to do so after she turns 18.