Teenagers on the Ocean

Abigail Sunderland's attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world (originally, the idea was to do this unassisted) ended a couple of days ago near the Kerguelen Islands (sp?). Yesterday, she had to be fished off the boat out in the middle (almost exactly the middle) of the southern Indian Ocean after her boat's mast was broken by the winds and waves of a storm a couple of days before.  This rescue was not cheap, nor easy.  The crew of the rescue boat put themselves and their vessel in danger to complete it.  One crew member fell into the ocean in the midst of the effort. And for what?

The debate has begun anew, why was she sailing alone around the world? "What were her parents thinking?" I don't know if that is the most important question -- in fact I don't think it IS. The whole endeavor reeks of poor judgment from the very start -- whether the sailor was 16 or 60. This has been done before -- by people of all different ages. So what exactly was she trying to accomplish? Of what value would such an endeavor, if successful, be? Why did she continue the journey (one) once it was no longer possible to secure the record she was attempting and (two) once delays had put her in the position of crossing that very treacherous sea in the midst of a winter maelstrom?

I think her considerable ambition and energy could easily have been directed to something a hell of a lot more useful.

What we have here is an ego-driven individual who had no ability to save herself when things went "south" -- and things were almost a sure bet to "go south" (when you set out across the Indian Ocean in a small boat in winter). This was an entirely predictable outcome. For no real purpose, the maritime rescue agencies of at least two different countries had to be set in motion at the cost of (probably, guessing here) hundreds of thousands of dollars of public monies. Who is supposed to pay for these rescues? It seems certain that the Sunderlands aren't planning on it -- in fact, the girl's mother even suggested that if the rescue needed to be paid for, the US government should be the one to do it!  Huh?

Here's a quote from the LA Times on June 18th, 2010...

Even the U.S. Sailing Association refused to sponsor Sunderland's bid, considering it too dangerous. She did not have insurance for her trip, and her mother has said there is no way the family could pay the rescuers even if asked. [Not that they would be.]

Is that not just a bit arrogant?  Irresponsible? And already the young lady is starting to think about another attempt. This is the epitome of irresponsibility (on the part of the parents).  This should not be her choice. A teen-aged brain isn't as developed as an adult's in the ability to foresee consequences and outcomes -- so it is not appropriate to allow them to make those decisions on their own when the stakes are high. But these parents at least should have the social consciousness and humility to recognize that the nations of the world should not have to rescue their daughter while she is in pursuit of a totally frivolous goal, personal in nature and for no legitimate purpose.  Don't get me started!

When a person embarks on a personal adventure of this scope, all possibilities should be planned and accommodated. Only a selfish fool sets out without planning for the contingencies and the ability to cover the possible costs. I'm all for personal adventure -- I just don't think any person should have the option of billing others for it without their acceptance.  Thank you, France and Australia, for your quick and generous rescue of this intrepid young woman, but you shouldn't have had to.  Just my opinion...

I have been following the adventures of a couple of others who are out on the land -- or on the water. First, there is a young man (Matthew) currently walking across the entire breadth of the USA. Don't know if I'd have the fortitude to stick that out to its end -- but he is about halfway across, just now entering North Dakota at Fargo/Moorehead.  Here's his link. He posts photos from along the road each day.

Second, there is Alessandro Di Benedetto.  He also is sailing unassisted around the world.  His record will be, if he makes it, the smallest boat ever to complete it. He is sailing a boat not much longer than a fishing skiff -- 21 feet.  I wouldn't go on the Columbia in a boat that small -- much less the southern ocean.  To contrast Alessandro with Abby Sunderland -- Alessandro also lost his mast in a storm a few weeks ago.  Rather than abandon the attempt and call for help -- he had the wherewithal and ability to jury-rig a replacement mast of sorts -- and is continuing his journey -- still unassisted.  You see, there is a way to do it right -- and if you can't, you shouldn't be out there.