Abbey Sunderland Missing at sea-sailing the world

shoula, coulda, woulda has a whole different meaning when your watching a empty coffin being lowered into a big ass whole in the ground.

Glad to hear she's OK.

I understand what you're saying, ab, but the issue I have with this is that it's a known fact that conditions in that part of the Indian Ocean this time of year are often extremely hazardous. Yet, they decided to do it anyway, most likely just so she could break a record (to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone without stopping). If they waited, she would've turned 17 and no world record. Poor judgment by the parents IMO. Her father is an experienced sailor, but a wise seaman wouldn't have made the decision to sail into those waters in that size of boat at this time.

Yeah, this.  A solo sailor in the mid latitudes 2000 miles from anywhere as winter approaches just to break a record.  The record attempt already failed as she pulled into port for repairs at Cape Town.  This is just Sacramento syndrome on a different scale.

You guys are good parents - so protective.  I really doubt I'd want my 16 year old sailing solo around the world either, but I'm not a pro sailor who raised a pro sailor.  All I said is that I felt that empathizing with the situation was a good perspective.  As for just doing it to break a record, I don't think you guys are fully embracing the spirit of "Live Life" when you make such judgments - she's definitely living life.

When you impose your values on others in terms of how to live life you are very possibly showing a lack of understanding of others' spirituality.  What does it mean to live a long and boring life?  What does it mean to die at 16 while trying to sail around the world?  Those are far ends of the spectrum, but we mostly live somewhere in between - when people do things that don't fit into our "live a long and careful life", western philosophy we might tend to judge quickly and harshly - including me.

I do allow myself to try to walk in those shoes being worn by others who seem to be doing unorthodox things related to the adventure of life, the opportunity to do things that not many people can, and the spirituality that comes from embracing a new and wild experience.  I don't blame you for waiving your fingers at these people (or at me), but I hope you will also try to find out if there is a little part of your own adventurous self that is curious about such wild forms of living life.

 

Can't these rich people do something more productive with their money?
This type of feat or "record" is completely meaningless to me. If you want to do something impressive, do it without the crutch of wealth.

Pat - I kind of agree with you on this one mainly because when you activate the emergency response system, first responders are put in harms way and the cost is paid for by all of us. That fly by they did was a fortune and probably dangerous given the weather. People trying to do crazy things doesn't bother me, wealthy or not, but when something goes wrong, others can get hurt. Of course some could say that kayak fishing on the ocean is just as risky/stupid as a 16 year old sailing around the world.  I guess it comes down to where you want to draw the line. One good thing about kayaking is that you are never going to feel like you can paddle around the world. 

scott

Eric,

I understand what you are saying, but where do YOU draw the line?  14?  12?  Wanna be pro-sailor raised by wolves?

BTW, eastern philosophy might also tend to judge quickly and harshly ... especially if the result was a senseless and unnecessary death.

And oh, I don't consider a reckless sailor a pro sailor.  There I go judging again, but come on ...

-Allen

And oh, I don't consider a reckless sailor a pro sailor.  There I go judging again, but come on ...

Yep, as I said: Her father is an experienced sailor, but a wise seaman wouldn't have made the decision to sail into those waters in that size of boat at this time.

It's one thing to take the challenge & live life and all that, but you have to evaluate the risks; that's where it can cross the line between calculated and reckless.

What does it mean to die at 16 while trying to sail around the world?

Well, if you die, then you ain't gonna make it around the world, are ya? The point is to make it all the way. Again, I get your point about other people's values & living life on their terms and all that, but you've got to exercise the power of reason when doing these things. I question the ability of (most) 16 year olds to do that well. The onus is on the parents - her father, as a pro sailor should know better. They knew the conditions she would likely encounter at the time she would be in that area. 

It may be crazy but theres far crazier shit going on in the world. Like fucking war. So what? They chose to let her try. Meanwhile there are 50 million fat ass americans watching fucking IDOL.

I hate Idol dude, will it ever end!

One good thing about kayaking is that you are never going to feel like you can paddle around the world. 

Just from California to Hawaii...   Remember this guy? http://www.legendinc.com/Pages/MarbleheadNet/MM/Articles/EdGillette.html

This is an excellent discussion. I appreciate everybody's opinion that has been expressed. And I pretty-much agree with all of it (I'm such a pushover!).
Upon reflection, I guess my assertion that their money c/b spent more wisely was sorta off-base (and not really my problem with this whole situation).
My main issue is the apparent motivation to accomplish such a feat (which could potentially put a 16-yo girl and many rescue personnel in danger). Are they doing it to help their daughter grow/learn/become a better person? Or are they simply doing it to win some sort of record that, to me, is meaningless? [ps, it sure smells like the latter]  
It's like the guys who post fishing reports that only say "Look at this huge halibut I caught! I'm the most badass-est fisherman ever!" Yeah, WTG dude.

I agree with Sin - I question the motivation behind it and what I view as a lack of consideration for a lot of other people in the event of a search & rescue, which turned out to be required.

And we're not the only ones having this discussion:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100611/ap_on_sp_ot/us_lost_sailor_found

I think it's great she tried to accomplish this at age 16. I also think it's fine that their parents let her.
I am sure she had a lot of practice and coaching behind her before she set out and all parties were well aware of the dangers involved.
What I do find careless is when someone ventures into the ocean on a kayak w/o practicing self rescue first. Now THAT'S irresponsible and it happens on a daily basis.
How many kayak rescues have we read about?? And we all talk about carrying VHF radios. Why??  Because $hit happens. It happened to her.
I wish every 16 year old had it together as much as this girl does.
My money is on that she turns out to be one helluva responsible adult.

I was working full time @ 16, married @ 17 and ya know...there not kids.......and life is faster now...some kids are just freaking kids forever...but not all...

I say life is an Oyster...better GET SOME!!!   Because when you really do get old...guess what...life has a tendency to have passed u by...and if your not going after it...feels sort of stuck...don't like that feeling @ all!!!

Right freaking on!!!   But that being said I've been on 60ft seas and was screaming like a girl!!!    on a 45 footer...noway man...got to be a big boat to get me wayyy out again!!!  and go around the world...no thx I'll take a plane...lol...

....my message to all the thrill seekers of the world:

 "setting a record is fine and dandy....just make sure you don't get anyone else killed while your at it"

So many people bag on Abby yet the same ones love these guys.