Abby Sunderland Missing

[pigletgirl]

Again, it doesn't matter how much experience she has. She is lucky to be safe. Age does play a huge part in this whether her and her famil realize it or not.

 

[dumboiu]

Well I am sorry but the ones I saw in various article were professional sailors. How and why do you assume that I am talking about weekend sailors. Do you want to tell them that they are weekend sailors? And that I 16 year old knows more than they do.

It just occurred to me that Dismagic may actually be close to Abby's age which might explain a lot. Whether or not he/she is, I agree with you - one 16 year old can only have minimal experience - I would venture to say many *weekend* sailors no doubt have more experience than Abby!

 

[Dismagic1]

It just occurred to me that Dismagic may actually be close to Abby's age which might explain a lot. Whether or not he/she is, I agree with you - one 16 year old can only have minimal experience - I would venture to say many *weekend* sailors no doubt have more experience than Abby!

No.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Here's the article from our local paper.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/plucked-from-the-sea-20100612-y4rn.html

Looks like she's thinking of doing it again. Age is no barrier. Australia had a solo sailor complete this round the world trip. Jessica Watson started last year and was 16. The funny thing is that she had 2 starts - on the first attempt, she broke her keel within 18 hours of leaving home on the way to Sydney . Otherwise, she would have been 15 when she started!!

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

 

[okeydokey]

I think people that do these risky things need to pay the cost of their rescue.

 

[SaraJayne]

Here's the article from our local paper.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/plucked-from-the-sea-20100612-y4rn.html

Looks like she's thinking of doing it again. Age is no barrier. Australia had a solo sailor complete this round the world trip. Jessica Watson started last year and was 16. The funny thing is that she had 2 starts - on the first attempt, she broke her keel within 18 hours of leaving home on the way to Sydney . Otherwise, she would have been 15 when she started!!

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

If I'm remembering the correct person, it's because she didn't set some automatic warning system, went to sleep and ran directly into a Chinese tanker ship.

 

[DawnCt1]

The parents were irresponsible. It is winter in the southern hemisphere. No one should be sailing there - let alone a 16 year old child. They are getting publicity as Abby's parents (but not in a positive way). The issue here is their irresponsible parenting and the subsequent rescue efforts needed and why they should be the ones to foot the bill.

She chose the southern hemisphere herself. Pirates do not like cold water. She was concerned about pirates.

 

[DawnCt1]

I thought it was a foolish decision when I originally heard that she was trying to sail around the world. The fact that she got herself into trouble and has to be rescued at great expense makes that decision even more foolish.

If she were my daughter, I wouldn't have let her go. That said, there are few adults that could have accomplished what she has accomplished so far, even if she didn't finish. What great expense?? A fishing boat picked her up and furthermore, there is insurance that one can get to pay for the rescue. When those who could have left New Orleans prior to Katrina but DIDN'T, pay for their own rescue, then they can charge Abby.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think it's funny how nobody answered my question so I will ask again:

If Abby was 18, who should cover the costs of the rescue mission? Should Abby get a bill?

I wouldn't be surprised if she has insurance for such a rescue.

 

[DawnCt1]

You don't think a 16 year old having a 40 foot yacht doesn't scream entitlement? Yes, some people do have more than other people and that is life - but why should those who don't have as much (the vast majority of the taxpayers) be forced to pay for the rescue of those who act irresponsible?

No I don't think it screams entitlement. Her yacht provided income for the yacht builder that built it, the equipment provider that equipped it, and I didn't hear that she was kicking and screaming on the deck of the yacht, demanding it. Are you paying for her rescue? Are the US taxpayers paying for her rescue? Did we have to pay for the rescue of those who chose to stay in New Orleans prior to Katrina, that could have left but didn't? Yup! We paid for that and if they were half as bright as Abby, they would have left before the first rain drop fell.

 

[IDoDis]

I think that Abby should be the next American Girl doll of year. If you are familiar with AG dolls, each year they come out of with a "doll of the year" that is only available for one year (or less if it sells out). Each doll has a couple of story books about her which are usually highlights positive traits like independence and courage.

If Abby gave Mattel the rights for her to be the next AG doll, she'd make millions -- more than enough to pay for any kind of rescue, and enough for a few new yachts, to boot!

 

[CandyMandy]

That 15 minutes of fame has turned out to be very expensive.

You're correct, and I finally figured out that while that has been bothering me, the real issue here is that we have seen this sort of "children-used-to-accomodate-parental-obsession-with-publicity" thing before:

"Balloon Boy"

"Boat Girl"

 

[BellaBear]

Wondering if anyone saw this?

Looks like they already had the reality show.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Wondering if anyone saw this?

Looks like they already had the reality show.

Yeah, I was pretty sad to hear about this. I honestly think Abby, 100% has a passion for sailing and wants to complete her voyage. She also seems to have a great amount of bravery and maturity for someone her age. Unfortunately all of that will always be clouded now by her Dad's dealings "behind-the-scenes."

Strangely enough, though, how come this "deal" wasn't widely known? Sounds like the cameras were already rolling on this, but we had to wait how many days to find out about it?

 

[happybratpack]

Wondering if anyone saw this?

Looks like they already had the reality show.

If he's so broke why are they having an 8th child?? I don't get people like this.

 

[happybratpack]

I've stayed out of the who-should-pay conversation, but this rubs me the wrong way.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/abby-sunderland-s-mom-u-s-taxpayers-should-pay-for-rescue

"The family of Abby Sunderland will not be reimbursing Australia for the $300,000 cost of finding her in the middle of the Indian Ocean. In fact, Abby's mother suggested American taxpayers should foot the bill.

"We're not wealthy people," MaryAnne Sunderland said.

She added that if Australia really wanted it's money back, it should place a call to Washington, D.C. "The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you'd think they would have to work with the US government for that," she tells Australia's Courier-Mail."

 

[BellaBear]

I've stayed out of the who-should-pay conversation, but this rubs me the wrong way.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/abby-sunderland-s-mom-u-s-taxpayers-should-pay-for-rescue

"The family of Abby Sunderland will not be reimbursing Australia for the $300,000 cost of finding her in the middle of the Indian Ocean. In fact, Abby's mother suggested American taxpayers should foot the bill.

"We're not wealthy people," MaryAnne Sunderland said.

She added that if Australia really wanted it's money back, it should place a call to Washington, D.C. "The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you'd think they would have to work with the US government for that," she tells Australia's Courier-Mail."

Wow. Did they not plan for the fact that something like this might happen? The money made from selling their story should pay for the rescue efforts.

 

[SaraJayne]

I've stayed out of the who-should-pay conversation, but this rubs me the wrong way.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/abby-sunderland-s-mom-u-s-taxpayers-should-pay-for-rescue

"The family of Abby Sunderland will not be reimbursing Australia for the $300,000 cost of finding her in the middle of the Indian Ocean. In fact, Abby's mother suggested American taxpayers should foot the bill.

"We're not wealthy people," MaryAnne Sunderland said.

She added that if Australia really wanted it's money back, it should place a call to Washington, D.C. "The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you'd think they would have to work with the US government for that," she tells Australia's Courier-Mail."

You missed the part where they want people to donate $130,000 so they can tow her boat back.

 

[cheermom1]

did I miss something? Did they find her and she is ok?

 

[crashbb]

did I miss something? Did they find her and she is ok?

Yes, you did miss something. She was picked up by a French fishing boat Saturday morning (well, Friday morning WDW time). They had to leave her boat behind though.