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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:04pm PDT

Abby Sunderland speaks in defense of her voyage and parents

By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com

Abby Sunderland has spoken.

As critics continue to take aim at her parents for letting their 16-year-old daughter try to sail around the world, and as the cost of her rescue has now been estimated -- by one publication -- to total more than $1 million, Sunderland has given her first in-depth interview since her dramatic rescue last week and she defended her voyage and her beleaguered parents.

"I think that a lot of people are judging me by the standards they have for their teens and other teens that they know... and thinking, 'She's exactly like them,'" Sunderland said in an Associated Press exclusive. "They don't understand that I've sailed my whole life and I do know what I'm doing out there."

As most of the world knows, Sunderland was walloped by a huge wave last Thursday in a remote part of the Indian Ocean. Her 40-foot boat rolled at least once and lost its mast, its rigging and satellite communications equipment.

The sailor activated two emergency beacons but was out of contact with anyone for 20 hours, leading to wild speculation regarding her fate as she drifted helplessly in rough seas more than 2,000 miles from Australia and more than a day's reach from the nearest boats.

A crew aboard a Quantas Airbus located her vessel, Wild Eyes, after 20 hours. A French fishing boat picked her up Saturday and delivered her to Kerguelen Islands north of Antarctica. Sunderland is now en route to French-controlled Reunion Island, from where she'll begin her trip home to Thousand Oaks, Calif.

"Storms and bad weather, it's the chance you take when you're sailing around the world," Sunderland said. "And I was up for it, and my parents knew I was."

She might not be aware of the extent of criticism her parents continue to face, regarding everything from her age, the timing of her Indian Ocean crossing (during the onset of the Southern Hemisphere winter), a reality show that had been planned but was canceled weeks after the Jan. 23 start of her voyage, and the cost of her rescue, originally estimated to total about $300,000.

The Daily Beast, however, reports the cost to be $1.1 million. It cites the usage of two aircraft -- a Quantas Airbus and a Global Express Jet -- and three maritime vessels, the Ile De La Reunion (which picked Abby up), the Osiris and the Skandi Bergen. The website claims to have factored in per-hour costs of the planes, using data from a private jet-for-hire company, and the cost of sidetracking the boats from their fishing grounds.

Many of the Sunderlands' critics claim they should be footing the bill for the rescue, but Australia is picking up the tab.

That's good for the middle-class Sunderlands, who are still smarting financially from the cost of their oldest son's 13-month around-the-world odyssey, which reportedly set the family back $140,000.

Zac Sunderland, though his voyage also was criticized, returned last July, at 17, to a hero's welcome. Abby, however, has become a much larger celebrity because of what happened to her in 30-foot seas in one of the most remote locations on the planet.

But her celebrity is of the painful variety. Besides the obvious criticisms, there is sniping and feuding between the Sunderlands and those who approached the family last fall about producing a reality TV series.

It was to be a Magnetic Entertainment production and an inspirational saga about Abby and Zac, and their sailing family. But while lots of filming was carried out, the two sides split and the project has been killed.

That show was shopped but couldn't sell because the networks "thought she was going to die," said Susan Hartman, who owns 23 South Productions, which has the rights to the footage.

Those working with the show claimed neither the vessel nor Abby were prepared for the task, and that the producers pulled the plug after Abby was forced into Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, not long after the start of her journey, to make repairs.

Laurence Sunderland, Abby's father, denied this during an interview Monday on CNN's "Larry King Live" show. He said he was the one who pulled out after learning the producers were counting on his daughter dying while rounding Cape Horn (she negotiated that treacherous passage without incident two months ago) and that they were out to portray him "as an irresponsible father."

It has also been scantly reported (so far) that Abby wanted to make this voyage to get away from her pushy father.

That seems a long reach. In an interview last July, as Zac was returning to Marina del Rey from a drama-filled voyage, Abby said the celebration was bittersweet for her because she had dreamed of sailing around the world before Zac, but her parents felt at the time that she was too young.

"It's something I've wanted to do since I was 13," she said.

Abby and Zac have extensive sailing experience and as children, both had helped Laurence, a shipwright who runs a yacht management business, with vessel deliveries.

In the AP story, Abby declined to describe exactly what happened to cripple her sailboat and in the moments afterward -- she's presumably saving the juicy details for a prime-time national television exclusive -- but said she was never frightened.

"You don't have time to be terrified," she said. "If you get terrified things just get worse. You just deal with what you get given and make the best out of it."

Abby is one of seven Sunderland children and will have a new baby brother any day. She's somewhat shy and has always enjoyed being alone. Zac, who is very close to Abby, has joked that she hates people, but that's not true.

Abby has several friends and many of them were part of a large flotilla of well-wishers that escorted her out of Marina del Rey on Jan. 23.

As Wild Eyes pulled away toward the horizon, one of her friends stood and shouted, "We'll go to Starbucks when you get back!"

Abby will not enjoy the media frenzy sure to accompany her homecoming, but chances are she's looking forward to a casual reunion with friends.

Top photo of Abby Sunderland courtesy of 2010 Lisa Gizara/GizaraArts.Com

Bottom photo of her vessel Wild Eyes by Pete Thomas

« PrevStormy seas take on new meaning in Abby Sunderland saga

Next »Perspective from a reporter who has sailed with Abby Sunderland

Georgia Aquarium mourns death of prized beluga whale calf

They initially became concerned when the calf was born and needed assistance from the divers to bring it to the surface to breathe

A beglua whale calf born Friday night at the Georgia Aquarium has died, despite receiving 24-hour nurturing from animal care experts at the Atlanta facility.

"This is an extremely sad day for the Georgia Aquarium family. Over the past few days, our veterinary and animal care teams have been giving around-the-clock care to Maris and her calf," Gregory Bossart, chief veterinary officer, said in a news release issued Wednesday. "We initially became concerned when the calf was born..

Newswire

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Posted by ladylove June 15, 2010 01:38pm PDTReply | Report Abuse

Seems a bit hypocritical to insult Abby's parents for allowing her to do what another 16-year-old girl, Australia's Jessica Watson, had completed successfully. I'm sure the Sunderland's are breathing a sigh of relief, both for the safe rescue of their daughter as well as not having to come up with $1.1 mil. I wonder what would be the case had young Jessica had the same problems on one of America's east, west or gulf coasts. Would we foot the bill and how would American taxpayers feel about it? I wonder how Australian taxpayers feel about this....
Would there still be this same backlash against Abby's parents had she completed this task successfully?

Reply by majikthorne June 15, 2010 05:06pm PDTReport Abuse

I would think that the Australians are OK with it as they are a tough bunch, besides International maritime Law dictates that when another ship is in trouble , they must give aid, period. Every Captain and sailor knows that, as far as Americans in the Hypothetical, what if? Well I think "WE" as Americans should learn to say "Good Try" and be happy that this young mariner was not harmed, we should give her credit for acting like a seasoned sailor and not losing her head in a crisis situation. She has exibited traits that most parents should want thier children to emulate. They seem to me like a family of achievers, and like I said before we should emulate thier behaviour and the behaviour of thier children. Too many people want to coddle thier children, when all thats really required to be a good parent is to support thier children in thier endevors to become useful productuve adults. I can survive in the wilderness because my parents supported me when I wanted to be a scout, I went on to rock climb and repell on the granite faces in New Paltz New York. I have built race cars, I have worked on historical renovations of the estates of prominent historical figures, and all because my parents told me I was a winner and could do anything. We have become a nation of parents that say "WHY?" instead of supporting our children and saying "WHY NOT?" All of my children are successful adults that achieved the careers they wanted to because I said " Yes you can do that" The backlash against Abbys parents would be the same no matter what the outcome. I'm sorry to say I find that most people are jealous of people who chase thier dreams, and even more jealous of them when they succeed. Great Job Abby, don't ever stop!!

Reply by jeffrey normile June 15, 2010 05:07pm PDTReport Abuse

wow that is a very good comment probably one of the best ive heard i was going to comment but you said it all

Reply by ttavelli June 15, 2010 05:44pm PDTReport Abuse

I wish I could have been there when I was her age, Man to have a dream like that so deap inside you it has got to be a great feeling to have a purpose. And don't worry about money OBAMA is printing like it was worth something! By the way good speach Majikthorne. People leave this great girl alone I want to see her do it next year hell I give to the cause.

Reply by jose12323243523 June 15, 2010 05:46pm PDTReport Abuse

One word to describe this family: Idiots.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 05:53pm PDTReport Abuse

@majikthorne Yeah, great job Abby, whhen u do something important in ur life. Instead of wasting a mill on a boat and plane ride, what do u got in plan 4 ur future. Going 2 college, being somebody, THAT's something 2 brag about and b famous 4. I can't say how important that million dollars coulda been 4 somebody who needed it, not a child who wanted a getaway trip cuz I guess her life was SO hard she needed a vacay. And 2 the parents, well, ur not parents. Parents care about the wellfare of their kids and kno when 2 say NO. Do ur stinking job.

Reply by ttavelli June 15, 2010 05:54pm PDTReport Abuse

And what word describes you? compashionate, carring, amazing, brilliant, brave, defiant, wonderful, thoughtful, christian, adventurer, intelligent, knowledgable, carismatic, great sister, oh no I am sorry your not ABBY. Your cynical, opinionated, arrogant, contemptable, egotistical, self absorbed, and you always stick your nose in other peoples lives. Live your own life like Abby does and sail off into the sunset.

Reply by ttavelli June 15, 2010 05:56pm PDTReport Abuse

justin carey as I reply to you too, you probably are on welfare worried that the Government might give Abby some of your money you collect every month.
And what word describes you? compashionate, carring, amazing, brilliant, brave, defiant, wonderful, thoughtful, christian, adventurer, intelligent, knowledgable, carismatic, great sister, oh no I am sorry your not ABBY. Your cynical, opinionated, arrogant, contemptable, egotistical, self absorbed, and you always stick your nose in other peoples lives. Live your own life like Abby does and sail off into the sunset.

Reply by sara tiffin dinicola June 15, 2010 06:02pm PDTReport Abuse

What are mountain climbers charged for their MANY rescues???

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 06:07pm PDTReport Abuse

Actually, ttavelli, u arrogant, thickheaded, assuming, judgemental, sarcastic, disgusting lame piece of dirt stuck 2 spit on the ground, u seem 2 perfectly fit every name u called me u revolting piece of DNA. A child has no business, 4 her own life safety, on a boat where she nearly died, and you, having failed at everything else in life u wanted 2 do, disappointed at urself doing a job that pays u less than any welfare recipient ever received, looking out the window crying over what a lame life u lead pretending 2 b happy going home 2 no family cuz they're either dead or never cared about u in the first place, conrgatulates kids like this who outta b being careful of their lives, not risking it so young, so you can feel like ur contributing 2 this world b4 ur lame self dies in misery and depression. Go jump off of something real high and far and end ur misery.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 06:09pm PDTReport Abuse

Sara, I was referencing a child, who I believe was like, 13, who was wanting 2 climb Mount Everest or something and has experience doing it. It is one of the most dangerous thing u can do but his parents were going 2 allow it. OK?!?

Reply by w_r_monger June 15, 2010 06:20pm PDTReport Abuse

my 16 yr old nephew was on a track to be a pro football player. his mother was affraid he'd break his neck playing football and was dead set against his playing. my wife and i convinced her otherwise and a yr ago he was on the Redskins recruiting radar. last August is where the story gets sad. you'd think that being in a collision sport (baseball is a contact sport if you ask me) his chance of serious injury would be high but he was in excellent physical shape so we had no worries. now in an irony of ironies last August he did break his neck... but he wasn't playing football. he dove into the ocean off teh coast of Carlsbad Ca. and hit the sandy bottom of the ocean floor. if it weren't for the fact that he played football and wrestled he would have died right there.
my point is that you have to let your children live their lives and not be affraid to live them to their fullest. if not what is the reason for being?
my nephew has recovered and teh doctor said he may be able to wrestle next yr but they don't want him playing football. too much risk. he will never be able to join the military but he is looking for other ways to serve his country.
Abby did what she did because it fullfiles her life, completes who she is. sailing is in her blood and it would be a waste of a life for her not to have made the attempt. she'll be sailing again and i wish her luck in the future.

as for America coming to the rescue of any foreign ship... take it out of my tax dollars, we have the best Coast Guard and Navy vessels in the world.

God Bless all with an adventurous spirit and keep them safe.

Reply by cybordolphin June 15, 2010 06:22pm PDTReport Abuse

Yes..... it is ok. There are 13 year olds doing all kinds of amazing things. You know... like outplaying their elders on violins, solving mathematical problems previously unsolved, attending college and even universities. It really should not bother you so much.

OMG..... wait. The violinist..... what if the string snapped and with such force as to remove the childs head and create a situation of decapitation by violin!??? OMG... then.... OMG.... we might have to call an ambulance.... and OMG.... that might cost us money.... and OMG..... then we would have to explain to the world how horrific we were at making the judgement call to allow a 13 year old to play a violin..... OMG....

I mean.... c'mon. Get over it.

Do you even have kids (scary thought)? If you don't..... do us a favor. Don't.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 06:26pm PDTReport Abuse

There's a difference between an innocent instrument like a violin and an accident from it, and sailing a freaking boat at a dangerous season where even grown adult men die easily!! Can u think up a better comparison 4 crying out loud, how stupid do you sound comparing mountain climbing and boating 2 a freaking violin?? And sailing a boat and being at home solving math problems are completely incompatible. Notice those little geniuses are at home, in college at age 12 and stuff, studying, not on freaking death wish trips. They're actually doing things with there lives that can better themselves and maybe even others.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 06:37pm PDTReport Abuse

@w_r_Monger, I'm not against kids following their dreams, but football, or baseball is NOT boating. U have 2 kno u simply cannot just do ANYTHING u want 2 just cuz u want. There simply has 2 b limits, reasoning. Living life can mean anything, do the simplest sweetest joy to the most cynical, dangerous stunts. The higher the risk, the older the age accountability has got 2 be. At like, 18, 21 or some age like that, b free 2 do wahtever psycho stuff u like, but 4 the sake of the children, don't we as supposedly sensible adults owe them the chance 2 b old enough, and wise enough and strong enough 2 take on the world? 2 kno when 2 say no 2 them? 4 their own sake? We care enuff 2 want them 2 do their hearts desire but do we really care so little 2 but their lives in senseless danger? Seriously, a 16 year old, even a ten year old playing baseball or football or whatever sport, is nothing comparable 2 letting a child by his/herself on a dangerous boat ride. Please ppl, let's use some commonsense.

Reply by sara tiffin dinicola June 15, 2010 06:46pm PDTReport Abuse

justin carey---I was not even referencing one of YOUR comments....I was replying to "sexyrob7" when she said no one could claim to have been sailing "all their life" because they weren't doing it before the age of 3.....No truck driver, or horseback rider, or water-skiier means they were necessarily doing that before the age of 3 when they claim doing that skill "all their life."....By the way, do you have a clue how annoying your texting skills are for anyone beyond junior high school?

Reply by evalina June 15, 2010 06:50pm PDTReport Abuse

Justin Carey, apparently you haven't gone to college seeing that you can't spell certain words. Or is it that difficult to type out "to" or "for" or "you"? My bad, you probably did go to college. I forgot they teach you how to spell in elementary school! And all that horrible things you said to ttavelli, I dare you to say it to his/her face. The only reason you can insult ttavelli like that is because you're hiding behind that computer screen you coward. Ttavelli didn't even insult you that bad, or is it because you see yourself that way? That will certainly struck a nerve then. And plus her parents trusted her and cared enough for her to let her go. We are born, we live, and we die. What's the point of life then? It's the same cycle every single day. At least her life is meaningful. And by meaningful I don't mean finding a cure for cancer or something. A meaningful life is only something that person can decide for himself/herself.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 06:51pm PDTReport Abuse

Sara Tiffin: Ok, I simply could've apologized 2 u and kept moving, but ur simply as smart mouth who feels the need 2 b rude 4 no reason and criticize my TYPING. U could read it, y r u complaining and being some nitpicky whinny twit? Like i said, I was planning on ending it at the apology, but then I read ur stupidity at the end.

Reply by justin carey June 15, 2010 07:02pm PDTReport Abuse

Evalina: Anybody who comes at me in such a negative way, as tttavelli did, when I proked not a single person but exercised my free will 2 say what i like on my opinion, and says I'm on welfare, and then gives me a list of sparty pants name calling gets what they ask for. And no, if she had the gual to call me those names to MY face, he/she woulda gotten it right there and then in person as well, trust that. As 4 u, I can type however I personally feel like, I need not abide by ur rules. 4 someone who is all for people following their dreams and u seem 2 represent not holding ppl back from doing what they want 2 do, u shouldn't be trying 2 stifle how I feel comfortable typing if I choose 2. Lastly, a life is definitely, definitely, definitely, based on the individual. But she is SIXTEEN!! Nobody know when she may die of whatever causes, but by risking her young life like that, it is irresponsible! If life is nothing beyond death, assuming u believe that, then it doesn't matter WHAT u do while alive. If u do believe in life after death, same answer, it doesn't matter!! There's something better after!! She doesn't have 2 cure cancer, she has aright 2 live her life. Thank God she's alive but does this mean we can throw her back out into another boat 2 possibly die until she actually does?? Life is a same cycle, but really??? The only thing she could do 2 break the cycle is 2 risk her life? Do kids read anymore? Or play sports? Seriously, boatriding was the LAST resort 2 break the monotony huh?

Reply by randy seaman June 15, 2010 07:05pm PDTReport Abuse

we heard your whining let some else speak

Reply by sexyrob7 June 15, 2010 07:08pm PDTReport Abuse

Evalina: You don't have to travel around the world to make your life meaningful. God put us all here for a reason, so don't say that she's atleast making her life meaningful when it already was, she was simply pursuing a dream at to young of an age.

Reply by evalina June 15, 2010 08:15pm PDTReport Abuse

Sexyrob7: I'm not saying a person has to travel the world to make their lives meaningful. And she was pursing a dream at a very young age. What I mean was she is living her life to the fullest and if the choices she makes for herself makes her happy, then personally, I think that's all it matters. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Reply by evalina June 15, 2010 08:25pm PDTReport Abuse

Justin Carey: I did not know you were on welfare and I apologize for poking at a sore wound. However I did not say you have to abide by my rules and you are, of course, free to express your own feelings. But you did criticize Abby in a very negative fashion and perhaps that did provoke many other people. Also I did not mean that the only way to break that cycle is to risk your life. What I meant was they do something that was meaningful to them. Something that made them happy and something that can make them proud of who they are. And I do not believe in life after death so for me, a person has only once chance to live their life to the fullest. Everyone has their own definition of living their life to the fullest. And it is obvious both of us has very different opinions. I suppose you can say there is no right or wrong regarding this issue. Or at least, that is my opinion.

Reply by josephbloggs June 15, 2010 09:11pm PDTReport Abuse

@ JC - i know a few good schools that teach English grammar, if you are at all interested........

Reply by gary earle June 15, 2010 09:53pm PDTReport Abuse

Anyone who finds Abby's voyage a laudable event, knows nothing about open ocean sailing. I have no problem with the fact that she is 16 and I commend her spirit of adventure. What I take issue with is her choice of timing and equipment which opens her up to the legitimate criticism of irresponsibility. No one, male or female, adult or teenager, should be sailing a small boat in the southern Indian Ocean during the winter season. Accomplished round-the-world yachtsman Ian Kiernan was quoted as follows, "I don't know what she's doing in the southern Indian Ocean in the middle of the winter. We need adventurers, but adventurers who do foolhardy things and put their rescuers at risk, it should not be allowed." As for her boat, she was sailing a high-tech, water ballasted race boat whose builder, Jon Sayer, said she was not qualified to sail in winter storm conditions. Ultimately, Abby was inviting disaster and and in this case disaster predictably accepted. Fortunately, the story did not have a deadly ending. However, she needlessly imperiled her own life and the lives of those who came to rescue her all for the purpose of attempting to beat the record for being the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe. Take calculated, measured risks and challenge yourself? Yes. To do so irresponsibly? No.

Reply by machocomacho June 16, 2010 12:57am PDTReport Abuse

I'm an Australian tax payer and I'm NOT OKAY with having to fork out for her rescue. Sure, if she was a passenger on a stricken cruise ship or similar I would support funding the rescue, but she and her family took on this journey knowing full well the risk involved. According to other experienced sailors who have made the journey, she set sail at the worst possible time of the year in a vessel not deemed capable of handling the Southern Ocean.

Abby isn't the first unlucky adventurer who has had to be rescued by Australia & funded by the long suffering Aussie taxpayer. Before Abby and any other thrill seeking attention whores venture out willfully into dangerous territory, they should be forced to sign waivers accepting full financial responsibility should a rescue be required.

I don't have a problem with this girls age or her experience as a sailor. I have a problem with any thrill seeker who thinks it's okay to put their lives at risk at the expense of taxpayers the world over.

Reply by rovingrogue June 16, 2010 01:33am PDTReport Abuse

That's the most sensitive thing i've read around here, Gary earle. She's not a little girl and if her parents say she's prepared, why not believe it; don't think taking the decision to allow her to go could have been very easy. Teenagers can have very different levels of maturity and the one we don't know cannot be judged basing on the ones we do know.
But the point is when things got delayed once and again and finally winter came, they should have been strong enough to explain their child that some times it is better not to precipitate things. It is very difficult to break a promise you made to your child, but only waiting a little bit more could have made the difference...

Reply by casper316 June 16, 2010 02:36am PDTReport Abuse

In a time of economic crisis, I think people shouldn't expect other governments to "foot the bill" when the situation could have been avoided. Children who cannot even reserve a hotel room, should not be sailing alone around the world. Governments do not have the money to continue rescuing the children of idiots. Shouldn't the 17yr old be in school? The parents did not even learn the first time with the child's brother. She is a child as defined by the law. I personally believe that her parents should be brought up with charges in child endangerment as it was decided early on that she nor her boat were fit to sail. The parents foolishly put their child's life at stake for glory.

Another interesting tidbit - a middle class family isn't going to have the money to buy their children yachts. Please correct your oversight.

Also - It's Qantas airlines. Not Quantas. It's like sending an American Airlines flight out to check on someone.

Also think of this - what if suddenly 250 parents in the US (an incredibly small percent of parents) decided to send their children out alone to sail around the world after seeing others accomplish the task. What if out of those 250 kids, 225 of them needed rescuing? The Australian government along with other governments cannot afford to babysit everyone's children and rescue them.

There are tons of dangers in the waters from storms to PIRATES. Are the NAVY supposed to risk their lives to rescue some stupid teenager being held for ransom by the Somali pirates? Who should foot that bill?

Here's a novel idea - why don't parents return to being parents instead of trying to grab glory and money off of their children.

As for the Aussies, well we all feel that having to make 2 rescues for that one family is too many.

Reply by hypersonicx June 16, 2010 05:03am PDTReport Abuse

Once again, I'm going to make my point and scram. My parents allowed me to fly solo before I turned 18. I'd been gliding/flying since I was preteen. I can perfectly empathize with Abby's situation and for all of the money-grubbing pseudo bleeding hearts out there (OMG, she's 16 waaaah...) please stop making pronouncements as if you know what you speak of. I know for a fact that it is community/civil service to rescue people at sea and that's how it should stay. Just like a firefighter rescues people from burning buildings and a practicing doctor is required as a good samaritan to rescue someone in need of aid on an airplane. And even if the victim is doing something you judgemental people would find to be reckless, they do not pay out of pocket for that rescue.

Anyone saying that the parents should be in debt for their child's rescue should be ashamed. These days it's like we see a crisis happen and the first thing some people think is "why should I have to pay for that?" You pay the same taxes regardless! Your next paycheck is not going to pay Abby's rescue bill so I do not understand why people are acting like this rescue somehow disturbs their way of life. If there is one thing that's high on my list for what I would like the government to do with the money I give them, rescuing admirable 16 year olds from the sea is one of them.

My dream was all about airplanes. My parents supported me enough that when they deemed I had the knowledge and experience, they let me explore. I was a force to be reckoned with in college because only a select few of us had that hands-on experience and today I'm enjoying life in the aerospace community.

Plans don't always go smoothly and because of complications, Abby risked going at a less-than-optimum time but she demonstrated that she was skilled enough to take the chance. And if she'd been dreaming since she was 13, I can understand why. Great job Abby, hope your next journey is smooth sailing.

Reply by dfmr June 16, 2010 06:27am PDTReport Abuse

My husband is a fire fighter and it erks me to no end that he has to risk his life because people are stranded for doing stupid things- Because they are following their stupid reckless dreams-And all the wifes and husbands of rescuers of anyone that have had someone die trying to rescue someone that was doing something stupid and following their dream will not agree with you. Yes the world rescues people for all reasons- and it is a service that they provide-BUT they all should be charging back the person they rescued for stupid decision making and stupid irresponsible trips- Simple as that- And in America folks there are laws that are trying to get pushed through to do this-All the idiots that are inexperienced for ie., go mountain climbing to set world records & whatever and get lost etc.....I have sailed and flown for many years (I am a woman)-But it is not the taxpayers fault IF I were to go on a trip that I should not have and then the rescue teams had to spend millions and risk their lives to find me-It is not the worlds responsibilty to pay millions to find me because I was intentionally reckless which in this case it is all about being reckless and irresponsible parenting hoping to make money off of your child---Australia is paying the million or so dollars it took to find this girl--so in the end the parents can potentially make millions if a TV company picks the show up-they had cameras installed on the childs boat-But I have a feeling with the publics outrage and TV company would be nuts to pick it up

Reply by hypersonicx June 16, 2010 07:38am PDTReport Abuse

Sorry to hear about that dfmr, but please don't presume to speak for all rescuers of America. I have close friends in the local police dept, juvenile detention center, and recently one became a firefighter as well so I'm not blind to what sort of dangers they face. I hear plenty of jaw-dropping stories about idiots putting others in danger. But to say that the rescuee should have to PAY to be rescued? That's stretching it by far. Tell your husband that he might as well quit because if that gets pushed through, the next thing that will be pushed through is a victim's right to NOT be rescued. Because if I can't afford your 4-7 figure price tag then why are you forcing your help on me? You know what, if I go to the pool without knowing how to swim and wind up slipping and getting dragged out to the deep end, tell the lifeguard to stay in his chair because I clearly brought it on myself. Or, if that would hurt his/her conscience, tell him he can bill me and if I'm poor then I'll just take out a "life-saving loan". Great idea.

We should just rewind, send a message to Abby while she's stranded at sea saying if your parents can afford the rescue we'll be there but if not, you have the option of placing them in debt up to their eyeballs.

I'm sorry, those laws would NEVER HAPPEN! Try getting your husband into a new career if you can't handle the reality.

Reply by kenneth king June 16, 2010 08:06am PDTReport Abuse

Well said, at first I had so many questins to this irresponsible gesture that I felt alone on this, first of all in any standards this was a child and had no right whatsoever to be alone in the middle of the ocean trying to make fame just because her brother tried. The problem I have with this is when are the limits the limit, what message are we as adults sending out to our children; what if a ten year old decides to sail the world as well,how can we stop him or her especially if they also from birth were expose doing things with their parents on sea like Abby did. Shall we just accept this kind ignorant behaviour or shall we as a parent take more responsiblity and let her understand she has just a few more years before this big step be taken in the Atlantic Ocean, we have at the moment pirates sailing the Sea's looking to seek and to distroy, I cannot imagine if they had found her out there, what they would have done to her.
And we have grown adults arguing she deserves credit for her efforts; at the cost of taxpayers money and risking her life on top of it all.Its a pity that laws have to be put in place past because we as parents would risk anything for fame and fortune even if it cost a life of our own...Come on Mr. Reality, action and....... camera...

Reply by nan4170 June 16, 2010 08:33am PDTReport Abuse

Thrill seeking attention seeker IDIOT!

Reply by vxthoma June 16, 2010 08:57am PDTReport Abuse

@Justin Carey...don't waste your time...the people who think it was ok for this to happen are hopeless. I can only come to the conclusion that they don't have children themselves. They go from one extreme to the next trying to prove a point. Of course parents don't want their children to be on drugs or be scared to try and be successful in life. It's not about holding your kids back...it's about helping them to make smart decisions in the process. I personally don't know how her parents slept at night knowing their daughter was out there like that. She's safe now and hopefully she's learned something from this experience.

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 09:29am PDTReport Abuse

Hypersonics,

While you bring up great points, you can not simply dismiss that putting other people's lives in danger (whether it is their job or not) by acts of foolishness or negligence is wrong and should not be condoned. While the scenarios you brought up are of course, impracticle and ridiculous, I fully support full investigations as to the extent of negligence and "foolishness," that put others' lives in danger and drain the resources of a community. Those found to have endangered rescuers and used public resources should have to pay.

I know this seems a) harsh and b) impractical, but let's really examine what I'm saying before jumping down my throat.

Many of Abbey's supporters are saying that we shouldn't "coddle our children" and support them when they wish to pursue their dreams. This goes the same way. You can't only support children (or citizens) and encourange them to follow their hearts and find meaning, without also holding them accountable. Without the accountability, all the support just equates to a form of coddling. If it is deemed that your actions caused endangerment to rescue efforts because of reckless miscalculation or compacency, then yes, you should be held accountable. Now to address the practicality issue, how do we deem someone to have violated the public trust? The same way we do for criminal and civil courts, a jury of peers. There's no use trying to outline exactly what is acceptable and what isn't. Should every rescue effort be tried? Of course not. High profile cases definately should, to send a message and discourage wanton adventurers. Repeat offenders should also be tried, as there is nothing more annoying than the idiot that can't remember to take the pop tarts out of the microwave before they burn. When I was in the army, the firetrucks had to come 3 times in one week, because the same guy was microwaving pop tarts.... EVERY SINGLE TIME...

Reply by stateoflove_n_trust June 16, 2010 09:34am PDTReport Abuse

There has to be a balance between following your dreams and being foolhardy. Why couldn't Abby wait until she was an adult to follow her dreams? No one would be responsible for her but her. She and her parents could not wait because she wanted a world record. To be the youngest person to circumnavigate is apparently worth all of the extra danger that she was put in. I am all for allowing your kids to explore themselves, their desires and dreams and to have room to make mistakes during that process, especially as teenagers, but there has to be a limit. What is the risk that your child could be seriously harmed in that process? There are significant risks involved with Abby's journey. I think her parents should have forbade it until she was became an adult. No harm would come to her from waiting two years. The only people who are blameworthy in this are her parents. People should not attack Abby for what she did. She is 16. Of course she is going to make a poor decision or decision that is rife with serious risks. That is why 16 year olds are not considered adults. Thankfully, she is safe now.

Reply by mary larrimore June 16, 2010 10:09am PDTReport Abuse

@ Majikthorne
I couldn't agree more.. you are right on the money. I think her parents are great in supporting her dreams.

Reply by evilfish June 16, 2010 10:20am PDTReport Abuse

GO ABBY!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to know how many of the people that have comented on this are actually sailors? if you are then you know the risks, be it a 13' sunfish or a 40' racing yatch. it is dangerousI have been sailing since I can remember. I have a daughter (she is only 7) and if she asked me if she could sail around the world when she is 16, I will let her do it. so the people that are pissed about this issue, is her parents should have never let her go blah blah blah, she knew she could die, get injured, be stranded, heck you can die walking to the bus or eating a burger we are human we make our own decisions, at 16 if I wanted to sail around the world solo my folks would have backed me all the way, I didnt want to but I did want to sail solo from clearwater, fl to the keys and back at 16, are my parents not fit because they let me live a dream I had. I have done or plan to do a lot more crazy stuff like take her hunting teach her to ride motorcycles (not the plastic kind) she already solo sails our sunfish, rock climb, she is the best pit girl at the race track for the car and motorcycle, she takes her kayak out by her self to fish or play around, its the way I was raised, so thats the way im raising her. she doesnt want a video game system or have a tv in her room, in the car there is no video screens just conversation and looking at the world the way it should be, with open eyes. My wife has the same mind set, as do most of our friends. so we are all bad parents hu. she gets skinned knees and doesnt cry, she is tough like her dad. now all you opposers go back to letting your kids live inside getting fat and lazy and dont let them see the world for them selves. Im going to go play OUTSIDE with my daughter

Reply by shadowz June 16, 2010 11:09am PDTReport Abuse

@evilfish -

Agree with you about letting your daughter chase dreams, etc.
I DON'T agree if you think that if she needed to be rescued while sailing around the world or some other extreme adventure at taxpayer expense.

If you encourage her then she and you should foot any bill to rescue her. You would be willing to mortgage your home and give up your 401k and everything you own wouldn't you to save your child. It surely isn't my money that should go towards that if she's doing something extreme to fulfill her desires.

If she gets hurt eating a hamburger, you have health insurance and you pay the premiums and the deductible, not the neighbors or other taxpayers.

If she gets hurt in a building that collapses then taxpayers do willingly support such rescues due to natural disasters but not for your letting her sail around the ocean.

Reply by hypersonicx June 16, 2010 11:13am PDTReport Abuse

To funnyguy:
Wow, I didn't expect to have to explain this but I apologize since I rush-typed a bit. No one should have to pay for a rescue unless they did something criminal. Arson, attempted murder, etc.... there are laws in place for those criminals to pay for damages and services. I didn't realize we were talking about a criminal, though so I didn't bother to go that route with my argument. If anyone is trying to say that Abby or their parents committed a crime then I'm sorry I hadn't noticed but I think that's a dramatic and completely false accusation.

Emergency Response professions should not receive payment from their rescuees unless the rescuee committed a crime. How's that? I still stand by my initial thought process but thanks for your comment, it allowed me to clear that up I guess.

Reply by evilfish June 16, 2010 11:24am PDTReport Abuse

shadowz
i never said i wouldnt foot the bill if it was her fault, yes abby could have postponed the trip for more favorable conditions, she didnt and she didnt die, she kept her cool out there. do you know how many people the coast gaurd rescues each year with no payment? if your worried about the 1.1 mil then lobby your congressman too get out of the wars in iraq and afghanistan cause they cost us 14billion a month makes saving a 16yr old for 1.1 a drop in the bucket

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 11:37am PDTReport Abuse

To all of you speaking of the maturity level of the girl..

What does her maturity have to do with it? I am assuming you are referring to her being "mature" enough to understand the consequences/dangers of her actions. There are several things I want to say about this. 1) "Maturity for her age," is arbitrary and has no use in this dialogue. There's no standard of maturity to measure her against. Some people are mature at 16, others aren't mature even at 30. We can all agree that maturity doesn't magically stop once you hit 18, 21 or 50 for that matter, people are constantly learning from their experiences. 2) Since she is "mature for a 16 year old," should we arbitrarily throw away laws governing age? Now, I'm sure that a 16 year old can acquire a boating liscense, but the law of America, is that a person can not willfully enter into a contract if he/she is a minor (under 18) without a parent's approval. Obviously venturing into the ocean requires no contract, but a decision to attempt a solo voyage around the world to establish a world record is clearly a major decision that should not be made without a parent's approval. Before you get into a hissy fit and say that her parents DID approve, I am saying, that ultimately, it is the parents' decision, so (I reiterate) the maturity level of Abbey bears no weight in this discussion. It is clearly the obligation of her parents 3) If anything, we should be questioning the maturity level of Abbey's parents as parents (i.e. the ability for them to make sound decisions about Abbey's well-being). Now before all of you start thumping your chest about the different parental guidelines and how to or not to "coddle" or protect your kids, there is a way to do this objectively.

When questioning the ability of the parents to approve these decisions for Abbey, we should be more concerned with Abbey's experience and ability as a sailor, rather than her maturity level, since we already established that her

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 11:49am PDTReport Abuse

maturity level is irrelevant because it is the obligation of her parents to approve a life affecting decision.

So, what was her skill level?

Obviously she was experienced, taking boats out around her hometown. If that is the only experience she needed to sail around the world, then by all means, she is experienced. But that is assuming that 1) she's saild in all different types of weather, throughout all seasons, and 2) the route that she would use to navigate the WORLD's ocean is similar to what she is use to around her hometown. If this was her only experience, then it would be somewhat easy to conclude that she does not have the experience necessary.

If she did have experience in other waters, then 1) how many different environments has she safely traveled, 2) how many times is it necessary to travel these waters before having sufficient experience to navigate the waters by yourself with the equipment she will be using. Being only 16, I am ONLY ASSUMING, but still, reasonably assuming that she probably did not have much experience on foreign waters given her equipment. If I am wrong, then clearly, this argument holds no merit, but I feel safe with my assumption. Also, given Gray Earle's comments, her miscalculation in timing seems fairly evident that she did not possess the skill necessary.

If she was not of the necessary skill level, then one must question the judgement of the parents. Now, the following are also assumptions, but nonetheless I think fairly reasonable. Her parents seemed to be preoccupied with filming a reality T.V. show. Also, I SUSPECT, that Abbey was coached/advised by her parents not to comment so that she can have a HUGE interview. If this was of Abbey's own will, then the environment of the situation suggests that the purpose of this was for media attention/fame/glory.

So, with these conclusions, 1) Abbey was not experienced enough to attempt the world voyage, and 2) the parents may have been swayed with the

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 11:50am PDTReport Abuse

prospect of media attention, in my opinion, this was a poor decision by her parents, if not a negligent endangerment for the sake of publicity.

Reply by c_mtnbear June 16, 2010 12:27pm PDTReport Abuse

I totally agree and have thought along these lines the whole time. I kept up with Jessica's journey vaguely aware of Abby's. After the press started attacking Abby and her family I began to think how lame this country is...Australia greatly celebrated Jessica's journey. And second of all...how come we didn't hear this criticism of Zac when he sailed? Our country is too male supportive and too "safe". Hell...we insure every damn aspect of our lives god forbid this young lady follow an adventurous dream. All I have to say is all those who are criticizing are just jealous of the soul who makes adventure real. Those people are just bored and waiting for death.

Reply by georgiamayyoung June 16, 2010 12:31pm PDTReport Abuse

Abby should be able to do what she wants to, if it is her dream to sail around the world by herself so be it. Did anyone tell you what you could do and couldnt?? Most likely no. Does everyone end up sucessful in the end? Not all the time so why is this a big del? She tried to accomplish her dream and it didnt turn out how she wanted it to BIG WOOP!

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 12:55pm PDTReport Abuse

Hypersonic,

I wasn't talking about criminals either. DFMR was talking about people taking on tasks in pursuit of their dreams, but being foolish and ill-prepared. This puts rescue workers at risk, costs a lot of money, and sometimes people die. Many times, it's not criminal, just irresponsible.

I don't think only criminals should be held accountable. I can't say I definately hold Abbey's parents accountable, but from the given evidence, that's how I would lean.

Of course there is nothing wrong with pursuing dreams, but if it dramatical affects other people in the community... sorry, it shouldn't be done. It seems that it was the dream of a significant portion of America to own a home. People took on mortgages that they didn't understand, and couldnt afford.. and bam!.. all of our lives are impacted. Of course, this is an oversimplification. I know that most borrowers, and even lenders did not understand the workings of collateralized debt obligations, or adjustable rate mortgages, etc. The point is there were many who people were ill-prepared when buying their homes and it had a huge impact on the rest of America. Should we just shrug our shoulders and say, "oh well... Good for you though! You tried at having your dream, and that's what's most important!" Of course we shouldn't. We stop them before they make bad decisions and tell them, "hey, this is life. You can't always get what you want."

I guess those parents REALLY wanted that reality show. Good thing Abbey is safe though.

Reply by funny guy June 16, 2010 01:26pm PDTReport Abuse

Tavelli, thanks for bringing Obama into this.. tool.

Try to stay relevant instead of trying to make everything political. But, I guess what can you expect when someone feels they have no purpose...

Reply by gary earle June 16, 2010 02:04pm PDTReport Abuse

c_mtnbear,

You are failing to recognize several important distinctions between Abby's, Zac's and Jessica's voyages. First, Zac sailed a completely different and less difficult route from the two girls. He headed west instead of east and stayed mainly in tropical latitudes where conditions were much more favorable than they are in the latitudes of the southern ocean. He also went through the Panama Canal rather than risk going around Cape Horn as did the girls. Jessica took a similar route to Abby, but crossed the southern Indian Ocean during the calmer, safer summer months. Zac and Jessica both sailed in cruising sailboats which are much more forgiving in heavy weather than the high-tech racer that Abby was aboard. Jessica's voyage was celebrated because a brave girl completed an arduous undertaking through careful preparation and prudent timing. Abby is being criticized for creating undo risk to herself and those who rescued her by attempting the southern Indian Ocean crossing in the dead of winter when near hurricane force winds and high seas are a regular occurrence. This brings into question her level of valor. If I choose to walk through a mine field when I don't have to, am I brave or stupid? In order to beat Jessica to the record of the youngest person to solo circumnavigate, Abby left months ahead of her original departure date of July, 2010 which resulted in her being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This lack in judgement caused a near fatal disaster. Had Abby sailed at the right time of year and completed her voyage safely, I'm certain she would have received the same hero's welcome in the U.S. as Jessica did in Australia.

Reply by behindblueeyes June 16, 2010 03:48pm PDTReport Abuse

@justin carey: You said it yourself, she was in a place where grown men get killed, and then you say that if she had been 18 or older it would have been fine. Do you see the hole in your logic? Stop preaching about college when you type like you haven't gotten out of middle school. Maybe it's the overwhelming technological advancements that have made you resort to typing like that? Keyboards haven't changed in years and it isn't hard to type correctly with the proper grammar and spelling the teach you throughout the 12 years that you should have gone to school for. It really sounds like you are just bitter. This young woman is chasing her dream early on in life and you still have no way to fulfill yours. Am I getting this right? You say Mountain Climbing, Football and Baseball aren't dangerous, but of course sailing around the world is ten times as dangerous. It's not, there are many ways to die. I'm not sure if you watch TV or not, but flip to Spike TV and watch 1,000 Ways To Die, and look at all the crazy ways there are to die. As the show says "Every day we face another 1,000 ways to die" So the point in that is, life can be unexpected cut short and if life isn't about being able to fulfill your dreams and live life for you when at any time you could die, then why live? I applaud Abby for her courage and the fact that she has hopes and dreams and has the drive to fulfill those dreams.

Reply by oceansailor June 16, 2010 09:00pm PDTReport Abuse

For all of the people that keep complaining that they would not want to pay the taxes for a person such as Abby realize how much it would actually cost them? Really, do some math before you complain endlessly about how you would not want to pay the taxes, besides half of you complaing about it don't live in Australia, so let it go. Honestly, considering that there are about 21,431,800 people in Australia and the cost of the rescue is reported to be about 1.1 million, the taxes payers would have to pay half a cent each, .051 of a dollar. HALF A CENT, I think some how you would be able to waste half a cent...

Reply by gary earle June 16, 2010 09:38pm PDTReport Abuse

Oceansailor,

Perhaps a more important point would be to consider what the Australian government could have spent the $1,100,000 on other than to have had to rescue "one" self-indulgent American sailor who needlessly put herself in the southern Indian Ocean at the wrong time of year. For example, it could have instead gone to help "many" poor, elderly, sick or disabled Australians whose fate is beyond their control.

Reply by casper316 June 17, 2010 01:02am PDTReport Abuse

I think the one thing that everyone here in Australia has a problem with is this:

She was ADVISED not to sail.
Experts told her that she was NOT ready as a sailor.
Her boat was NOT ocean ready.
This caused her to miss the good weather window.
It was recommended to her not to sail now due to her inexperience, the condition of her boat, and the possibility of storms in the Indian Ocean.

I commend people pursuing their dream, but they should do it in an intelligent manner. You don't go into a Nascar race without a helmet because you think it's cool. You don't drive off with your 2 yr old in the backseat, not in their car seat because it's advised to put you kids in the car seat, it's advised to wear a helmet.

Well Abby was advised to wait until the good weather window returned to the Indian Ocean. She (and her parents) showed her lack of maturity and intelligence by doing it against the advice.

If she had listened to the advice, then we wouldn't have had to save her butt.

Reply by sorenhansen June 17, 2010 06:39am PDTReport Abuse

casper....exactly. completely agree. That is the big picture. You know who has trouble seeing the big picture? ........16 year olds. Abby's defense to say she is not a typical 16 year old, well, that is 16 year old behaviour regardless of how good of a sailor she is. The pursuit of the record versus being prudent and finishing safely but without the record is the issue. The parents and handlers should never allowed that risk. I love the GO GO Abby supportors, that do not understand that it should be Wait Wait Abby, just a few months. And the comparison to climbing Mt. Everest. Do teams actually wait at base camp for a blizzard to roll in before departing? I do not think so.

Reply by kenneth king June 18, 2010 04:06am PDTReport Abuse

Yes writer you have made a valid point there, I am amazed as to the comments I 've seen on this blog, one guy claimed that his father got married at 15 yrs of age; my answer to this is because his father did that does that make it right to call a 16 year old an adult, come on man, we know during the war times what stupid mistakes Governments have made and still to this day making them but one thing for sure, in our new society and improved Laws has changed the idiotcy of people taken the Law into their hands. Some of them cannot even control their kids but if we can't as adults parental guidance as to the difference between a sixteen year old and a eighteen or even nineteen years of age then we know why these problems occur everytime. The stupid arguments that she tried and should be given credit for this I beg to differ because had they not found her in time we would have today lots of questions to answer for allowing a young girl in the middle of the indian Ocean without the presents of an adult or even a professional to look out for any problems that could happened out there. Maybe its my training as a child to do things as a child, if we have no limits as to what our children can do, then why the big bla bla about other countries having little kids slaving for adults and kid soldiers fighting and killing because their lives have no meaning to their parents or war lords who happens to be grown men and women.Lets look at the bigger side of this, if every sixteen year old thinks according some arguments made on this blogg, that they can do whatever they want at what ever level the situation is, then I could imagine 100's of this brand pirating the sea's for adventure and no law can stop them, then we the concern parent would love to have some sort of controll over our sixteen year olds to just wait until the right time and listen to the profi who suggested the timing were not right because of the weather conditions.

Posted by luke mahrenholz June 15, 2010 04:45pm PDTReply | Report Abuse

Ms. Sunderland kicked some ass out there and was smart about her trip every step of the way. To her critics, quit your complaining and go clean up some oil.

Reply by ttavelli June 15, 2010 05:56pm PDTReport Abuse

Yeah

Reply by ttavelli June 15, 2010 05:57pm PDTReport Abuse

;)

Reply by cybordolphin June 15, 2010 06:16pm PDTReport Abuse

Lol.... probably cause they can't afford the gas! lol

Reply by randy seaman June 15, 2010 07:19pm PDTReport Abuse

well said luke, cant believe all the whiners out there ....they are jus sooo sure they know whats right for someone else but lord forgive if someone had a opinion about what they do in their life......... as soon as this story blows over they'll be jumping on someone else with their whines.............good job abbey you showed the world....cool under pressure.....i could see you someday as the captain of a destroyer for the US navy .......running in total adverse conditions protecting all these yellowbelly whiners who put you down.........hold your head high, abbey, id be proud as hell if you were my daughter.......

Reply by josephbloggs June 15, 2010 09:12pm PDTReport Abuse

@ Luke - hear, HEAR!

Reply by thewholetruth10 June 16, 2010 06:06am PDTReport Abuse

The effort spent on looking for her could have been used on cleaning up the oil. Abby went out when it had already been determined it wasn't safe enough to go out. If she was so ready and experienced she would have been capable of handling the situation she got into.

Everybody screaming she was following her dreams...so I guess you idiots support the 7 year old who wanted to fly around the world solo...well guess what she died "following her dreams".

Reply by tfo June 16, 2010 06:52am PDTReport Abuse

Luke, you're a moron. Go back to your teaparty

Reply by wowyouredumb June 16, 2010 07:50am PDTReport Abuse

wow! all you nay sayers and haters have really nothing better to do than to tear down people. You guys are dumb.

Abby, and the dreamers and people who take action make America great. NOT the haters.

Reply by bd9 June 16, 2010 10:24am PDTReport Abuse

I'm assuming the majority of the people supporting this are hippie liberals who have no concept of what is going on in the real world.

If her parents have the money to raise 7 children, while living in southern CA and owning multiple sail boats, they can surely contribute to the cost of the rescue.

Also, if this was so important to her, why didn't her parents just tell her she could do it once she turns 18 and is considered an adult. Complete stupidity if you ask me.

Reply by bdown June 16, 2010 11:04am PDTReport Abuse

Just because people don't agree with another person's idea doesn't make them a hater. There's nothing wrong with following your dreams, but when it's at the cost of others something should click in your head called commonsense. Which obviously is not so common. Also like what thewholetruth referenced, at what age do we set a limit for A CHILD before we realize maybe just maybe that was not a good idea. When that KID loses their life or someone dies trying to save them.....Just something to think about .

Reply by epl2785 June 16, 2010 11:40am PDTReport Abuse