Abby Sunderland Missing

[Kelrykengab]

Yay! So happy to hear the news! I can only imagine the relief her parents must be feeling right now. If I were them I would hug her and never let her go, but like others have said it is their daughter, her life, not ours. She is a lucky girl. I feared the worst.

 

[Dismagic1]

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.

Umm the dad conspired to create a story that would generate mass hysteria and panic.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Australia says they'll foot the bill for their part of the rescue effort.

Solo sailor Abby Sunderland found and Australia is to foot the bill

Quote from article:

When asked if Australia would seek to get the money back, Mr Kinley said: "No, that's the way the system runs.

"We would expect people to rescue any Australian yachtsman in these conditions,'' he said.

"It's our obligation to do this and we'll fulfil[sic] those obligations as Australia does.''

 

[Dismagic1]

Australia says they'll foot the bill for their part of the rescue effort.

Solo sailor Abby Sunderland found and Australia is to foot the bill

Quote from article:

This is why Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. They do things the right way.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

This is why Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. They do things the right way.

I don't know if it's the "right" way, but it does show that they realize they are not the ONLY country on this planet, and working together is a good thing.

 

[crashbb]

This is why Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. They do things the right way.

Are you suggesting that the US (and other countries) would attempt to recoup the costs?

 

[Dismagic1]

Are you suggesting that the US (and other countries) would attempt to recoup the costs?

My post was a compliment towards Australia. Take it as you like.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Yay! So happy to hear the news! I can only imagine the relief her parents must be feeling right now. If I were them I would hug her and never let her go, but like others have said it is their daughter, her life, not ours. She is a lucky girl. I feared the worst.

bull. That is like giving my 16 year 20 bucks, and telling him to drive across country. He has the ability to work, knows how to drive, obviously has the skills to get by. It is ridiculous, as is this trip. We have two sailboats, have been sailing for years. My kids were sailing from birth on. There is no way that a 16 year old has the life knowledge to be safe in this. If it goes well, it is because whe is luck.

 

[SaraJayne]

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.

You can't compare the 13 year old that climbed Everest to this girl.

He was NOT alone and had almost immediate access to help, should it be needed.

And like another poster pointed out, she was obviously not well prepared for the conditions where she was...or she would have known enough to start her journey at a different time of year to avoid the stormy weather.

I hope they pack her up and send her home.

 

[Aisling]

This reminds me of the little girl who wanted to be the youngest person to fly across country. She died in the crash of her plane at age 7. I was talking to my DH about thiss and he said it isn't fair to compare a 7 year old to a 16 year old, but I disagree. To me, it comes down to allowing your child to take outrageous chances. It's difficult enough for en experienced adult sailor to go around the world in a small boat, so why take chances with your 16 year old?? Just to prove a point? To break a record? It just isn't worth the risk. There are enough dangers out there in everyday life, why deliberately allow a child to increase their chances of disaster?

I don't judge the parents. I just can't understand their way of thinking.

 

[Aisling]

And like another poster pointed out, she was obviously not well prepared for the conditions where she was...or she would have known enough to start her journey at a different time of year to avoid the stormy weather.

Also, I read on a sailing website that her boat wasn't an endurance boat, it was built for speed. She had multiple strikes against her before she even started out.

 

[Dismagic1]

Also, I read on a sailing website that her boat wasn't an endurance boat, it was built for speed. She had multiple strikes against her before she even started out.

Where was all this outrage before she signaled for help? Hindsight is 20/20 folks.

 

[wvjules]

You can't compare the 13 year old that climbed Everest to this girl.

He was NOT alone and had almost immediate access to help, should it be needed.

And like another poster pointed out, she was obviously not well prepared for the conditions where she was...or she would have known enough to start her journey at a different time of year to avoid the stormy weather.

I hope they pack her up and send her home.

I only mention the 13 year old that climed Everest because he was mentioned in this thread as it not being allowed since he was too young.

 

[crashbb]

Where was all this outrage before she signaled for help? Hindsight is 20/20 folks.

There was a thread on this board and on many other sites long before she signaled for help. Heck, there was outrage before she even set sale.

 

[Aisling]

Where was all this outrage before she signaled for help? Hindsight is 20/20 folks.

True. I guess we tend to get caught up in the hype of things, wow look what she's doing, she's amazing...

But then reality hits when disaster strikes, and shocks us back into rationality.

 

[tomthebarncat]

Australia says they'll foot the bill for their part of the rescue effort.

Solo sailor Abby Sunderland found and Australia is to foot the bill

Quote from article:

Her parents should foot the bill as they are the ones that let her do this, not the good taxpayers of Australia!

 

[NY Disney fan]

I have not read the replies to this thread but where the hell were the girl's parents! They should be charged with something! Its always the rescuers who risk their lives to save someone foolish.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

True. I guess we tend to get caught up in the hype of things, wow look what she's doing, she's amazing...

But then reality hits when disaster strikes, and shocks us back into rationality.

There was a pretty vocal opposition when word came out about her trying this. The thing is, though, I don't remember the same opposition (or at least as strongly) when her brother did it as a teenager. And, it may be because she was Australian, I don't remember hearing the same opposition when the first 16-year old girl did it.

 

[Planogirl]

Would everyone feel better if she had waited for two more years? Because then it is just her choice.

I'm glad that she's OK.

 

[crashbb]

There was a pretty vocal opposition when word came out about her trying this. The thing is, though, I don't remember the same opposition (or at least as strongly) when her brother did it as a teenager. And, it may be because she was Australian, I don't remember hearing the same opposition when the first 16-year old girl did it.

Wasn't there a girl who was actually banned from doing it? I think she was Dutch and the government actually put her under state supervision (or something like that).

And then she ran away and ended up on St. Maarten (or perhaps Aruba - it was a Dutch territory).