buddahj Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 A rescue effort has been launched in hope of finding Abby Sunderland, 16, who set off her emergency beacon locating devices from the southern Indian Ocean early this morning. Sunderland, who had been attempting to sail around the world alone, endured multiple knockdowns in 60-knot winds yesterday (Thursday local time) before conditions briefly abated. However, her parents lost satellite phone contact early this morning and an hour later were notified by the Coast Guard at French-controlled Reunion Islands that both of Sunderland's EPIRB satellite devices had been activated. One is apparently is attached to a survival suit or a life raft and meant to be used when a person is in the water or a life raft. Abby's father struggled with emotions and said he didn't know if his daughter was in a life raft or aboard the boat, or whether the boat was upside down. "Everything seemed to be under control," Laurence Sunderland said. "But then our call dropped and a hour later the Coast Guard called." Abby is hundreds of miles from land. The nearest ship was about 400 miles away. The rescue effort is being coordinated by the Reunion Islands and Australia. Sunderland had been sailing in 50- to 60-foot seas and it was dark when the EPIRB devices were activated. The Sunderlands are asking people to pray for their daughter, a high-school junior from Thousand Oaks, Calif. Charlie Nobles, executive director of the American Sailing Assn., said, "We're all praying for her and our thoughts are with her. If she's got the survival suit, and she's got the EPIRB and she's in pretty good shape, she's just got to try to hang on. And when they get there, these guys... they're going to hopefully send the best that they've got under those conditions to try to do a rescue and it's definitely possible. They're amazing people that do those rescues. They know exactly what they're heading into." Abby was for several months one of two 16-year-olds attempting to sail around the world alone. Australia's Jessica Watson completed her journey last month, just days before turning 17. Abby's brother Zac, who graduated from high school, completed a solo-circumnavigation last summer at 17. The timing of Abby's trip was criticized by some because it was placing her in the middle of the Indian Ocean when the stormy Southern Hemisphere winter was at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I was just going to post this but was looking for an older topic about it. Hope it turns out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Who the hell, in their right mind, would allow their 16 YO daughter to solo-sail around the world? Sheesh... I hope she is found alive and well. And that her parents are taken out back and beaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge007 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 It's hard to believe that no other vessel was close to her as she was sailing(or is that against the rules of sailing solo?) Hope she is safe as EPIRB works very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpwallace49 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Who the hell, in their right mind, would allow their 16 YO daughter to solo-sail around the world? Sheesh... I hope she is found alive and well. And that her parents are taken out back and beaten. This + infinity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skilly Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 To me, the obvious answer is that the parents should be financially liable for the rescue efforts. Hope it was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 (edited) To me, the obvious answer is that the parents should be financially liable for the rescue efforts. Hope it was worth it. Probably they should be held somewhat responsible - but i really doubt the parents give a crap about that right now. Edited June 10, 2010 by Jackass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I hope she's hanging on and is found alive and ok. If that was my kid's dream and had the resources - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Clearly she's got skills and knew the danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I hope she's hanging on and is found alive and ok. If that was my kid's dream and had the resources - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Clearly she's got skills and knew the danger. I thought I knew everything too at 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I thought I knew everything too at 16. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but the family is adventuresome. Her older brother held the record briefly for yougest to sail the globe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 When my kid turned 18, he could make those decisions for himself. Until then, no way I allow them to make a decision about something so dangerous and uncontrollable. I hope she is okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I hope she's hanging on and is found alive and ok. If that was my kid's dream and had the resources - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Clearly she's got skills and knew the danger. I heard people say that on another message board, and I think they're nuts, so I guess I think you're nuts too on this one. Why on earth do you have to let your 16 YEAR OLD daughter fulfill an extremely dangerous dream at that age - life-long (which is a laughbale term for a 16 yr old) or not? Too young without a doubt. Just 'cause her brother succeeded at doing the same thing at a young age doesn't make it right. It was wrong for them to let him try it also - certainly as totally isolated as she apparently was. It's one thing to do it with some sort of escort. Quite another to do what she was doing. Wrong call on the parents part - 100%. Hope it turns out well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Hopefully she turns up and is ok. I guess if her brother could do it at 17 they thought she could Not saying I would let my under 18 y/o attempt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I hope this young girl is rescued and all turns out well. In the meantime, the parents deserve every bit of worry and grief coming their way. Even IF I would allow such a dangerous adventure, which I would not, you bet I'd be following her around the globe in case of just such an event. Stupid is as stupid does. Scene at the dock: "Bye honey, sail well, see you in 3 months! Love ya!" "Oh, and watch out for those Somalian pirates!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrip Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 (edited) This is up there with the stories about idiots trying to hike from Iraq, through Iran, on to Laos and perhaps looping back around to hit the Gaza strip. I'm just not going to feel bad for you. Edited June 11, 2010 by mrip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I hope she's hanging on and is found alive and ok. If that was my kid's dream and had the resources - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Clearly she's got skills and knew the danger. +1 provided she had the skills. It seems as though she did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I hope she's hanging on and is found alive and ok. If that was my kid's dream and had the resources - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Clearly she's got skills and knew the danger. I don't believe that a 16-yr-old knows the danger. Think back to when you were 16. I know when I was 16, I was immortal and invulnerable. I was going to live forever and nothing seriously bad was ever going to happen to me. I feel the parents have to be the ones who assess the danger, particularly in this type of undertaking. I have told my children that they may own a motorcycle. However, the day they purchase their motorcycle will be the same day they move out of my house and take full responsibility for their lives. They will not own a motorcycle while I am responsible for them. (to avoid attacks by those of you who own motorcycles--I believe that most individuals who own and operate motorcycles do so safely and carefully. However, too many times, cars just don't see them, look carefully, etc. A fight between a motorcycle and a car does not usually end well for a motorcycle.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I don't believe that a 16-yr-old knows the danger. Think back to when you were 16. I know when I was 16, I was immortal and invulnerable. I was going to live forever and nothing seriously bad was ever going to happen to me. Yup, the stupid stuff my friends and I did as kids (hell even just in motor vehicles) at 16 is going to scare me to death as my son get's older. Expecting a 16 year old to grasp the enormity of what she was undertaking seems rather unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 This is up there with the stories about idiots trying to hike from Iraq, through Iran, on to Laos and perhaps looping back around to hit the Gaza strip. I'm just not going to feel bad for you. dayum, that would be quite a hike! anyway, was it the best decision to send her off on this expedition? probably not, but right now who gives a crap? let's just hope the kid is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I wont let my 16 yo drink, skydive or sail around the world. If you have acne and teen angst, you should not be risking your life for notariety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffraff Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Reunion Island... Good news = the water is warm. Bad news = sharks There are 40 different species in Réunion Island. 10 of them are potentially dangerous, such as the bull shark and the great white shark. On average, there is one attack a year in Réunion Island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Praying she's ok. Her parents are idiots...no question. But no one deserves this. So long as I pay the bills...I have veto power on my kids' decisions. There is no way I'd allow this. Sometimes you have to protect them from themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I don't believe that a 16-yr-old knows the danger. Bingo. All 16 year olds are immortal in their own heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 It's hard to believe that no other vessel was close to her as she was sailing(or is that against the rules of sailing solo?) This was my thought. The nearest boat is 400 miles away. I don't know what the rules for this competition are, but 400 miles is a long way away! Very sad situation. I hope she makes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 life-long (which is a laughbale term for a 16 yr old) or not? Totally. . .I just saw on Amazon that this Justin Bieber kid's album is titled "My World". Your world?? Please, pre-pubescent suburban white boy. . .tell me of your world. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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