Abby Sunderland Missing

[BrizMarc]

NO new news here in Australia yet, Its getting to 20 hours since they lost contact. I imagine its hard to spot her on the ocean in big swells. I cant imagine they have alot more hours on light left for the day.

 

[BrizMarc]

latest report is she has been found and is ok http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/teen-sailor-abby-sunderland-found-alive-20100611-y32i.html

thank god for that

 

[S. C.]

It was Reported on Abby's facebook page that she is fine. They have made radio contact with her.

bby Sunderland ABBY IS FINE!!!
Abby's Blog: Abby is Fine!
soloround.blogspot.com
We have just heard from the Australian Search and Rescue. The plane arrived on the scene moments ago. Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!We don't know much else right now. ...

 

[noodles]

Fox news is reporting Breaking News: California teen sailor Abby Sunderland has made radio contact with family, is believed safe.

Thats all they said so hopefully details will follow.

 

[DisneyFed]

Very glad to hear this....many many prayers got answered I think...

Thank God for Emergency Signalling Beacons

 

[Muffy]

Thank God she has been found!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Great news about Abby! I had a feeling this was the case, based on which beacons had been activated and the conversation she had with her mother before they lost contact.

I think Abby is extremely brave. When her boat had problems earlier in the trip, she knew she would not break the record that the other 16-year old from Australia had set, but she was determined to make this trip. It wasn't about the record anymore, it was about the adventure.

I hope the criticism of the family does not deter them from continuing to live their life as they want. Life is too short to wait until your 35 to sail around the world (or embrace other adventures)...you never know when you may just step onto the street in front of that runaway bus. The only caveat I would put with that is that you should at least be prepared for your adventure, and Abby clearly was.

At the very least, I'm glad to see everyone is happy she is alive. Some of the comments made on my local paper's website were absolutely disgusting (wishing she was abducted by pirates to punish her parents?!?? who says stuff like that?)

 

[luvmy3]

Thank goodness!

 

[torinsmom]

First, on topic, I am praying that this girl is found safe and sound. I can't imagine what her family is going through.


Shutterbug, I'm curious. Do you have any children? I'm not being snarky, I'm just curious because before I had kids I though that 16 was pretty much all grown up. Now that I have a 15 year old, not so much My dd is a pretty level headed kid. Well-behaved, good student. Still, she's a kid. It is my job to prepare her to be an independent adult but until then I have to guide her and protect her and keep her as safe as possible. Teenagers think they are immortal and untouchable. I remember being one and as good of a kid as I was, I still did things without thinking through the consequences sometimes.

Even when my son was younger, I thought 16 was pretty much grown. Boy, was I wrong! Their brains are still forming and they still need guidance. I won't leave my DS15 home overnight alone yet, so sailing alone, especially in places where help is 40 hours away would definitely not be considered.

I am glad this teen is okay!

Marsha

 

[Nette]

I went to bed last night fearing the worst. I'm so glad to hear that she is fine and her boat just seems to be disabled ATM.

What a relief for her parents and family and fans!

 

[NHdisneylover]

First and foremost I am thankful that Abby has apparently been found and is safe. This is what really matters.

Secondly, I do have to agree with the minority here. While I can see that Abby and her family took a big risk allowing her to do this--I can also see that they went about it in a responsible way and that she seems to be capable of it and of knowing if it is a risk she wants to take. So, while I would not be comfortable with my child sailing alone at 16, I do not judge them for having a different opinion.

I did lots of independent things at 16 (including being left home alone for two weeks while my parents vacationed in Mexico which is similar to what a PP posted as neglectful) and was perfectly capable of handling them.

My DD is 13 now, and not a sailor (nor particularly adventurous) but if she, for example, wanted to take trains and backpack across Europe alone in three years and she had a plan and a good cell phone, etc I think I would be okay with it. That is something she is good at and handles just fine. I know her and what she can handle and what is an appropriate risk for her. I figure Abby's parents seem to know their kids and what she can handle and what is an appropriate risk for Abby.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I see nothing responsible about leaving a child 30 hours from help. And there is a huge difference between waiting until 35 and fearing being hit by a bus, and sending a teen with minimal life experience in a boat that was not made for this type of sailing out on their own.

I think that the parents should be charged with neglect. If I left my 16 to fend for themselves I would risk that charge.

 

[Nette]

First and foremost I am thankful that Abby has apparently been found and is safe. This is what really matters.

Secondly, I do have to agree with the minority here. While I can see that Abby and her family took a big risk allowing her to do this--I can also see that they went about it in a responsible way and that she seems to be capable of it and of knowing if it is a risk she wants to take. So, while I would not be comfortable with my child sailing alone at 16, I do not judge them for having a different opinion.

I did lots of independent things at 16 (including being left home alone for two weeks while my parents vacationed in Mexico which is similar to what a PP posted as neglectful) and was perfectly capable of handling them.

My DD is 13 now, and not a sailor (nor particularly adventurous) but if she, for example, wanted to take trains and backpack across Europe alone in three years and she had a plan and a good cell phone, etc I think I would be okay with it. That is something she is good at and handles just fine. I know her and what she can handle and what is an appropriate risk for her. I figure Abby's parents seem to know their kids and what she can handle and what is an appropriate risk for Abby.

This is how I feel. I'm not in the same position as Abby's parents, so I can't judge their choices. But I figure it's not that much different from letting your 16 yo child train for Olympic gymnastics. Yes, she wouldn't be 40 hours from help, but it only takes a split second to break your neck.

Right now, I can say I would be VERY uncomfortable (and would say no) to the idea of one of my children doing what Abby is doing. But my kids aren't even close to 16... so I really don't know how I would make that decision.

At any rate, the *important* thing is that she is ok!

 

[Hercules10]

I think that the parents should be charged with neglect. If I left my 16 to fend for themselves I would risk that charge.

+1

Her parents are supposed to keep her from doing stupid things.

I hope whatever rescue group gets to her charges her parents for the expense.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

+1

Her parents are supposed to keep her from doing stupid things.

I hope whatever rescue group gets to her charges her parents for the expense.

While I don't "hope" that this happens, I support the principle. I might also support criminal neglect charges if the state decided to file them, but I am still unsure. Even if the law would consider this neglect, do we really want the government making these decisions for us and our children at this age? I wouldn't let my kids do it, but who am I to set boundaries like this for others. While 16 year olds are capable of sheer stupidity, they are also capable of heroism and great achievement. I am torn.

 

[Dismagic1]

I see nothing responsible about leaving a child 30 hours from help. And there is a huge difference between waiting until 35 and fearing being hit by a bus, and sending a teen with minimal life experience in a boat that was not made for this type of sailing out on their own.

I think that the parents should be charged with neglect. If I left my 16 to fend for themselves I would risk that charge.

Not even remotely possible.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Even when my son was younger, I thought 16 was pretty much grown. Boy, was I wrong! Their brains are still forming and they still need guidance. I won't leave my DS15 home overnight alone yet, so sailing alone, especially in places where help is 40 hours away would definitely not be considered.

I am glad this teen is okay!

Marsha

Agreed... This kids and extreme danger thing is ridiculously stupid. Even with preparations, things happen... just ask many of the people whose loved ones have dies on Everest or transversing the globe. A master sailor said she shouldn't have been ANYWHERE near where she was found as during this time of year its EXTREMELY dangerous... like sailing certain parts of the Atlantic during Hurricane season. SO obviously the parents failed to prepare her as well as they should have. A 13 year old climbing Everest? A 12 year old Mexican bullfighter (who already has been gored twice)? This is just ridiculous and terrible parenting. It SMACKS of Little Parents and Pagent Parents who try to live their own dreams through their kids. It's irresponsible and eventually some kid is going to die as a result.

To those who feel its ok, it's much easier to say than do... kind of like as a kid you said you WOULD let your daughters/son boyfriend/girlfriend sleep over when YOU were a parent or you'd let them eat all the sweets they want and stay up as late as they want. Ask yourselves... would you REALLY let YOUR kid do this? Climb Everest? Fight a Bull? Jump off a bridge because someone else did?

There is a reason those under 18 can't enter into contracts, vote, etc. Scientifically and anthropologically they do not have the wisdom or capacity to always fully understand these actions... It's the invincibility of teenagers and early 20's persons... the ones who think they can drink 2-3 fifths of Jack Daniels and be perfectly fine. It's up to the parents to guide those under 18 in making good decisions. These parents clearly didn't do that and almost cost their daughter her life as a result.

There

 

[wvjules]

Great news about Abby! I had a feeling this was the case, based on which beacons had been activated and the conversation she had with her mother before they lost contact.

I think Abby is extremely brave. When her boat had problems earlier in the trip, she knew she would not break the record that the other 16-year old from Australia had set, but she was determined to make this trip. It wasn't about the record anymore, it was about the adventure.

I hope the criticism of the family does not deter them from continuing to live their life as they want. Life is too short to wait until your 35 to sail around the world (or embrace other adventures)...you never know when you may just step onto the street in front of that runaway bus. The only caveat I would put with that is that you should at least be prepared for your adventure, and Abby clearly was.

At the very least, I'm glad to see everyone is happy she is alive.

MTE! Would I let my DD sail solo around the world? Heck no! She can barely find her way home. lol However, with the sailing experience Abby and her family have and the amount of preparation that went into this, I have no problem with her sailing around the world. Nor do I have a problem with the 13 year old that conquored Everest. They both seem to be very bright, mature and prepared for the adventures. Neither family went off half-cocked.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Not even remotely possible.

Youre right... but it is sort of strange that the Balloon Boy dad who faked everything and kept his kid safely on the ground went to jail, while these parents get nothing but positive press. Don't get me wrong... not defending BalloonBoy dad, just find it interesting.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Youre right... but it is sort of strange that the Balloon Boy dad who faked everything and kept his kid safely on the ground went to jail, while these parents get nothing but positive press. Don't get me wrong... not defending BalloonBoy dad, just find it interesting.

The 2 instances are not related in even the most remote sense.