maryportfuncity 10,657 Posted August 28, 2009 I made the point when starting the thread on Hilary Lister that ocean going sailing and some of the safety involved at the cutting edge all worked in theory. Just because we've had a few conspicious successes and the boats keep going faster there is an implicit assumption amongst many that the whole thing is safe, it isn't. Younger and younger solo sailers and/or people at the extreme end of disability will - eventually - bring about at least one spectacular disaster or fatality. Interestingly we've been hearing nowt about Ms Lister because her solo circuit of the UK - which was cutting a big corner by going through the Caledonian Canal in the first place - only went from Kent to Cornwall, before sensibly knocking matters on the head. She'll sail from Ramsgate to Dover on Monday in what should have been the final leg. But she'll doubtless be back for another pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windsor 2,233 Posted August 28, 2009 Maybe, this is not the place to discuss it. But I really believe you don't have the right to let a 13 year old child sail the atlantic ocean on her own. They say she is mentally old enough to do that but at the same time I watch footage of her drifting off (In her mind) during a twenty minute press conference, in the same way I used to drift off as a teenager while sitting in church. I decided to place a post here were people can critize the whole case (even if it's not used that much). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8219443.stm Not my kid, not my problem. Maybe she is really good at sailing, but finds press interviews boring... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lard Bazaar 3,800 Posted August 28, 2009 I may be an over-protective mother, but I worry about letting my 12 year old walk into town, let alone go gallavanting off round the world! These parents must have a screw loose - and when the inevitable happens and she's eaten by a shark, they will smile bravely and say 'she died doing what she loved'. Bollocks. They should be ashamed of themselves. Edit - I see the courts have intervened - good job too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Fellatio Nelson 6,219 Posted August 28, 2009 I may be an over-protective mother, but I worry about letting my 12 year old walk into town, let alone go gallavanting off round the world! These parents must have a screw loose - and when the inevitable happens and she's eaten by a shark, they will smile bravely and say 'she died doing what she loved'. Bollocks. They should be ashamed of themselves. Edit - I see the courts have intervened - good job too. Totally agree with you. Winny, you are a miserable git. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handrejka 1,904 Posted August 28, 2009 I may be an over-protective mother, but I worry about letting my 12 year old walk into town, let alone go gallavanting off round the world! These parents must have a screw loose - and when the inevitable happens and she's eaten by a shark, they will smile bravely and say 'she died doing what she loved'. Bollocks. They should be ashamed of themselves. Edit - I see the courts have intervened - good job too. Totally agree with you. Winny, you are a miserable git. I'm not a parent but I completely agree with you both. It's great the kid has a hobby she's good at but what were the parents thinking? (money and fame probably) Why the constant emphasis on being the first/youngest to do something anyway. Surely sailing solo round the world is still an achievement even if you wait until you're 25 or 30 to do it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lard Bazaar 3,800 Posted August 29, 2009 I may be an over-protective mother, but I worry about letting my 12 year old walk into town, let alone go gallavanting off round the world! These parents must have a screw loose - and when the inevitable happens and she's eaten by a shark, they will smile bravely and say 'she died doing what she loved'. Bollocks. They should be ashamed of themselves. Edit - I see the courts have intervened - good job too. Totally agree with you. Winny, you are a miserable git. I'm not a parent but I completely agree with you both. It's great the kid has a hobby she's good at but what were the parents thinking? (money and fame probably) Why the constant emphasis on being the first/youngest to do something anyway. Surely sailing solo round the world is still an achievement even if you wait until you're 25 or 30 to do it? Absolutely. I'm all for encouraging kids to get a hobby and I would hope that I would be as supportive as I could, but within reason. Unfortunately the only hobbies my kids have are moaning, not tidying their bedrooms, wearing too much black make-up and asking me for money. They both excel at the last one Actually, I'm not giving them the credit they deserve - one of them does dancing and the other works voluntarily on a local community farm, but they can't come to much harm pirouetting round their handbags or clearing up horseshit. But my point is, surely that is the sort of hobby young kids should have these days, not Extreme Black Eyeliner Application Up Mount Everest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,657 Posted October 30, 2009 The courts has decided that if everything goes according to plan Laura may leave the 1st of July 2010 (sorry, the article is in Dutch) So we'd be taking a real punt picking her in the odd 2010 deadpool allowing one so young. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tomb raider 9 Posted December 20, 2009 Laura Dekker missing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vaagheid 141 Posted December 20, 2009 edit: removed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vaagheid 141 Posted December 20, 2009 edit: removed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,657 Posted December 22, 2009 Back home, but maybe not going home to daddy any more. I get the feeling she's our kind of girl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted December 22, 2009 Back home, but maybe not going home to daddy any more. I get the feeling she's our kind of girl. At least she likes to do the unexpected. In a Letter to the Editor[1] of the Volskrant her grandparents express their concern about the girl and her treatment by the bureaukrautscrats at the Child Welfare Office. [1] Translation available on request regards, Hein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted December 23, 2009 Laura can stay with father Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
time 8,618 Posted July 27, 2010 Dutch court has given her permission to sail Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted August 4, 2010 Dutch court has given her permission to sail She's at sea now. 2nd Shark Squadron and 32 Narwhal Patrol ("The Tusks") have been alerted. regards, Hein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vaagheid 141 Posted August 4, 2010 Dutch court has given her permission to sail She's at sea now. 2nd Shark Squadron and 32 Narwhal Patrol ("The Tusks") have been alerted. regards, Hein I stopped caring about her a couple of months ago. I am even thinking of making a exception on next years PNDP for Laura (and i think the deathlist, DDP and CPDP should do the same), there is a clear difference between a child with a deadly disease and a child who goes looking for death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Bearer 6,102 Posted January 21, 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16667936 Back home now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sympathyforthedevil 11 Posted January 22, 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk...europe-16667936 Back home now. Got to give her credit even if you think she was stupid for doing it in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
