Abby Sunderland Missing

[BernardandMissBianca]

thanks Shutterbug.

so the Quantas plane(s) should be underway at this point.
Hopefully we will hear something positive soon.

 

[luvmy3]

Hoping she is found safe and sound.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

thanks Shutterbug.

so the Quantas plane(s) should be underway at this point.
Hopefully we will hear something positive soon.

Thank goodness Quantas is in on the search now. It probably has increased her chance of survival by a lot. 4 hours vs 40 hours...could be the diff between life and death.

 

[happybratpack]

Thank goodness Quantas is in on the search now. It probably has increased her chance of survival by a lot. 4 hours vs 40 hours...could be the diff between life and death.

The Quantas plane can't actually do anything for her, correct? Just locate and report back? I wonder how many hours we're into the 40 for a boat to reach her.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Was it stupid of parents to let their 16 year olds fight in WWII?

The situation is hardly comparable. Especially given that WW2 was 65 years ago.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

The Quantas plane can't actually do anything for her, correct? Just locate and report back? I wonder how many hours we're into the 40 for a boat to reach her.

That's a good question. I'm guessing they have a plan of rescue in place when they locate her, I'm not sure what that would entail. I'll see if I can find something. As far as how many hours in to 40, I don't think it's been many at all.

 

[Dismagic1]

The situation is hardly comparable. Especially given that WW2 was 65 years ago.

Being 65 years ago doesn't change anything. Children were allowed to be shipped off to Normandy and die. So if that was allowed, I certainly don't know what the fuss is over allowing a VERY experienced 16 year old to sail around the world.

I think people are more outraged over this because a girl is involved. When her brother did it, nobody was making near as big a deal and he was 17 (still a minor and a child).

 

[pigletgirl]

I have to say this is one of the first things that came to my mind as well. She is a pretty and young girl.
She may have set off the beacons when she realized she might be in trouble from someone.

Blonde, girl, pretty and young = bad combo!

The plane can't actually reach her and get her to safety can they? Maybe a rescue helicopter is needed as well.

And at 16 your technically still a kid because the brain isn't developed. Even the courts still classify you as a minor. Why would a parent let a child sail alone given the above description???? They must be somewhat naive.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I would never call anyone in this family stupid. They are sailors, that is what they do.

I grew up with friends who started training to race cars when they were 11/12 years old. They came from a family of race drivers, and that's what they did. The same goes for farmers. My Dad started working with heavy and dangerous farm equipment when he was 12/13, because that is what his family did.

Just because you would choose not to have your child attempt this, doesn't mean there are not families out there who are more than capable of understanding the risks and allowing their children to attempt such a feat.

It's the same thing we see time and time again on this board. People are trying to fit their own standards onto someone else's life, assuming their position to be superior, when, in fact, they are just 2 differing opinions and neither one is superior to the other. In short, the parents are not "stupid."

 

[crashbb]

The situation is hardly comparable. Especially given that WW2 was 65 years ago.

A word of advice - don't bother responding to that poster (you can look up his other posts to understand why).

I cannot see QUANTAS getting criticism - they are a private company (I think), so it isn't like the taxpayers of Australia are footing the bill (unlike the Coast Guard's searching for JFK Jr. and his wife).

Hopefully she is found (and is able to be helped) very soon.

BTW - the blog says that the QUANTAS plane wouldn't be able to do anything other than confirm her location and talk to her via marine radio (if they are close enough).

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Blonde, girl, pretty and young = bad combo!

The plane can't actually reach her and get her to safety can they? Maybe a rescue helicopter is needed as well.

And at 16 your technically still a kid because the brain isn't developed. Even the courts still classify you as a minor. Why would a parent let a child sail alone given the above description???? They must be somewhat naive.

Again this family knows sailing. Probably more about it than some professionals who compete! Their son completed the same feat at 17 years old. They are hardly naive.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Was it stupid of parents to let their 16 year olds fight in WWII?

Completely different and I believe that you know it.

 

[mhsjax]

I would never call anyone in this family stupid. They are sailors, that is what they do.

I grew up with friends who started training to race cars when they were 11/12 years old. They came from a family of race drivers, and that's what they did. The same goes for farmers. My Dad started working with heavy and dangerous farm equipment when he was 12/13, because that is what his family did.

Just because you would choose not to have your child attempt this, doesn't mean there are not families out there who are more than capable of understanding the risks and allowing their children to attempt such a feat.

It's the same thing we see time and time again on this board. People are trying to fit their own standards onto someone else's life, assuming their position to be superior, when, in fact, they are just 2 differing opinions and neither one is superior to the other. In short, the parents are not "stupid."

Oh I disagree, I think they are very stupid. Sorry. And to me you can't compare working with farm equipment or racing with this. Sure they are all dangerous, the difference being that if a young person gets in trouble there are adults around to help, sure some may even die, but they stand a better chance than a teenager being out there alone with no help around.

If your father became ill while working or something went wrong, chances are they wouldn't have to send out the coast guard or any other type of help to find him.

She is a minor and should be allowed to go around the world by herself, and I can't for the life of me understand or accept anyone that can. In my book I question their ability to be a good parent.

 

[pigletgirl]

Again this family knows sailing. Probably more about it than some professionals who compete! Their son completed the same feat at 17 years old. They are hardly naive.

I think you're reading too much into it. Regardless of their knowledge of sailing, it was a wrong decision on their part.

If a family was into cars, would they let their 16 year old drive around the USA alone??? Probably not! Same deal....

I wonder if the parents will get into trouble at all?

 

[Boston Tea Party]

16? a child? if they are still considered a child at 16 then should it be illegal for them to drive.

Yes, a child. I stand by what I posted.

I wouldn't let my 15 almost 16 year old stay overnight in our locked, secure home in a suburban neighborhood. I certainly wouldn't just send her out in the world to face who-knows-what AND the elements.

 

[luvmy3]

I think you're reading too much into it. Regardless of their knowledge of sailing, it was a wrong decision on their part.

If a family was into cars, would they let their 16 year old drive around the USA alone??? Probably not! Same deal....

I wonder if the parents will get into trouble at all?

Did they break any laws?

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Being 65 years ago doesn't change anything. Children were allowed to be shipped off to Normandy and die. So if that was allowed, I certainly don't know what the fuss is over allowing a VERY experienced 16 year old to sail around the world.

I think people are more outraged over this because a girl is involved. When her brother did it, nobody was making near as big a deal and he was 17 (still a minor and a child).

You are comparing apples and oranges.
We, as a society have evolved. So yes, time changes a lot of things. And that's really the only answer I can give you. There is nothing to expand upon. Just because something was done decades ago (such as slavery) doesn't mean it was right then or now. Same thing about 16 year olds fighting in wars, which by the way, still happens. Just not in this country. I hope you understand.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

A word of advice - don't bother responding to that poster (you can look up his other posts to understand why).

I cannot see QUANTAS getting criticism - they are a private company (I think), so it isn't like the taxpayers of Australia are footing the bill (unlike the Coast Guard's searching for JFK Jr. and his wife).

Hopefully she is found (and is able to be helped) very soon.

BTW - the blog says that the QUANTAS plane wouldn't be able to do anything other than confirm her location and talk to her via marine radio (if they are close enough).

I wish I had read your post first, but I probably would have responded anyway. Yeah, I'm familiar with this posters work on another thread. I wonder if they will claim to "own" this thread too??

Yeah, I couldn't find out exactly what Quantas was going to do, so I'm not surprised that they are only involved in the search and not the actual rescue. I wonder exactly what the plans are when they find her.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Completely different and I believe that you know it.

 

[TerriP]

My prayers are with Abby, what a horrible situation for her and her family.

As for whether or not she should be attempting this: If I, as a parent of a 16 year old, left her home alone while I went out to sail around the world...could I be charged with neglect? Heck, if I left her home alone while I went to WDW for two weeks...would that be classified as "neglect"?

Or, what if I allowed my 16 year old to take my car and drive from Michigan to Central America? Would anyone classify that as a stellar parenting choice ~ or could I be charged with child endangerment?

This young lady is alone, in international waters, in the middle of the ocean, FOURTY hours from rescue. That, to me, is parental neglect and child endangerment and I sincerely hope this young lady does not die due to it.