CANBERRA, Australia – A 16-year-old California girl who was feared lost at sea while sailing solo around the world has been found alive and well, adrift in the southern Indian Ocean as rescue boats head toward her damaged yacht, officials said.*
Abby Sunderland weathered a storm that could have sunk a big ship, her mast was broken, her sail dragged in the sea, but, her keel was intact and her boat wasn't taking on water. She battened down her hatches and was surviving. She had food for weeks and a space heater. Contact was lost for 20 hours and when she was found, she was fine, hadn't panicked despite the fact that waves as tall as a three story building had battered her.
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I am amazed at her balls. I would have been scared to sail the world at that age..but, if I'd been from a yachting family, like her, I might have tried it. Do you know people are actually pissed off because the Coast Guard had to go get her? Like she cost the taxpayers. Maybe she did, but, isn't that their job? If she was a 35 year old man would that be different? Think how much money is spent on the Olympics..sorry..but, that isn't a necessity for the world's survival either. This kid is just living a dream and trying to make a name for herself. I think she's cool. And it beats running away to Mexico and buying a sombrero, which is as far as I got at her age. Go Abby!
14 comments:
It's a relief that they found this kid. After reading up on the situation it looks like a classic case of sibling rivalry - her brother did the same thing, successfully, when he was younger and was the world record-holder for awhile.
It's interesting that these parents are secure enough to allow their kids this independence - circumnavigating the globe in a boat by themselves is something I couldn't agree to for my own kid (I think)!
totally off topic....posted this on another thread....a friend sent me this....bp parody of how they handle a coffee spill....brilliant and unfortunately spot on about bp...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM
on topic...i am glad she was found safe.....
I hope she makes her dream come true. Even though her brother did it last year. I hope this girl makes it. It will be a great step showing some people that a young girl/woman can do what ever she puts her mind to and accomplish it with great strength.
I am so relieved (and a little surprised) that they found her. It's amazing that her boat was in as good of a shape as it was, and that she, apparently, was as calm as she was.
My son just got his driver's license on Wednesday (at the age of 18) and it was tough enough knowing that he was driving off to school by himself yesterday. I can not imagine standing by while my 16 year-old daughter leaves on a boat to circumnavigate the globe. At least if you get in a car accident and are not injured too badly, you can walk away, or be assisted by anyone passing by to walk away. No such luck at sea.
I understand people being upset at the cost of rescue operations. Yes, it is the Coast Guard's job, but they are risking their lives for something that was recreation-related. It did not have to happen. I am glad that they are there to see to her safety, but every so often, I hear that insurance companies are scrutinizing leisure-time activities and trying to disavow coverage for extreme sports, etc.---which this would come under the heading of. There is a higher risk, and to require someone else to risk their life, and/or spend on huge bills for medical if things go awry, doesn't always seem reasonable. My brother mountain climbs, sky-dives, hikes extensively, rock climbs, scuba dives, etc. I work with people who are into these activities, as well. It is something that is discussed periodically, and I see both sides. It seems that there is often someone lost on Mt. Hood or Mt. Rainier, and search parties, etc. have to be mounted. A couple of years ago, I watched live feed as a search and rescue air national guard helicopter fell out of the sky and rolled downward, ejecting a number of the guardsmen inside before it came to rest, some hundreds of feet down the mountain---it was part of a rescue mission, as well. Where do you draw the line?
tears jumped out of my eyes when i found out she was ok. i think what she's doin is amazing.
I was also very concerned about her. Nighttime storms at sea in a crippled boat is a great way to find religion.
Her beacons located her, but her calm demeanor saved her life.
Jarhead
No I do not share your Go Girl views look at her video before the trip she was not that Stoked to be the first 16 year old girl to be alone circumnavigating the world In fact she come across and overwhelmed at what shes set out herself -And has Cynthia pointed out this is a Super competitive family the brother at 17 did the same trip.
there should be NO awards or records for children to aspire too, just be kids. anyone remember the 10 year old girl that wanted to be the youngest pilot to go around the world and she crashed her plane and died .
i think that girl was 7 in the plane....wasn't she 7??
She WAS 7 and that was stupid parenting. Anon, you can sign your name. Agreein' with me isn't a requirment. Geez.
Christina -
Odd that you would bring up the Mt. Hood accident.
My best friend's husband was killed in that horrific climb - his fateful misstep as the lead climber began the domino effect that ended with himself and several of his fellow climbers being killed when they were pulled into the crevasse.
It was equally horrifying to watch the Nat'l Guard copter go down. It was a miracle that none of them were killed.
It was a terrible time. They were all such good people.
I'm sorry about your friends. That would be a terrible way to die.
This young lady has my respect. I can not imagine being in the middle of any body of water where I can not see land. And to be alone would be a double whammy.
Damn, I admire anyone who can pack up an move across country. I'm too insecure. I would have to have at least one person I know to come with me!
Glad she's ok, but geez! That's dumb.
Christina, I remember a couple of years ago hearing on the news here in Olympia that they wanted climbers at Mt Rainier to be required to carry GPS devices to make it easier to be located if they got lost...and the climbers made a huge deal about it rejecting the idea...which I think is also dumb. It's a dangerous thing to do both in the summer and in winter, both because the ice melts and crumbles and the snow covers creases, and the avalanche danger.
Given the fact that yes, it costs A LOT of money and resources to rescue and recover, sometimes INJURING or KILLING people in the rescue teams, I think the LEAST these people can do is make it easier and carry such devices. There's no guarantees that you are gonna come back from those trips.
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