Lone Sailor Runs Away From Home
Posted on 22. Dec, 2009 by Stenberg-Tendys W.L. in sports
Dutch teenager, Laura Dekker, 14, has again hit the headlines around the world, as she is once more returned to Holland.
Two days after her mother reported her missing, Laura was picked up in the Caribbean, on the island of St. Maarten, 5,000 miles from her home.
Laura had fled from her father’s home. It is speculated that she has broken under the pressure of the court battle to prevent her completing a lone sail around the world.
It is still not clear where or not Laura planned to try to set sail from the Carribbean. Apparently Laura had made contacts with the sailing community in St. Maarten.
News of the Utrecht Deistrict Court’s ruling, in October last year, swept the world. The court claimed that Laura was too young and inexperienced to attempt a marathon voyage on her own. They claimed she would be unable to continue her school studies, on a lone voyage. Her father however claimed, that Laura would never be at sea for more than three weeks at a time.
The court permitted Laura to continue to live with her divorced father and appointed a temporary guardian. The court said it would reconsider the case in July 2010.
It is believed Laura’s father is the driving force behind Laura’s lone sailing attempt. Family spokeswoman Mariska Woertman. “For Laura it was a big disappointment that the judges wouldn’t let her go.” It is believed Laura was depressed and suffering at school because of her situation and all the media exposure.
The police are questioning how Laura managed to slip unnoticed, out of the country and whether or not she had assistance.
It will be up to her temporary, court appointed guardian, whether or not Laura remains living with her father. However, Richard Bakker, a spokesman for the government’s Child Protection Agency said, “It is possible she could be taken into state care.” Reuters reported that child welfare authorities asked a Dutch court to remove Laura from her father’s care.
Laura and her father want to break the 45,000 km record set by 17 year old Mike Perham of England. The journey took Mike 9 months to complete.
Currently a 16 year old Australian, Jessica Watson is aiming to beat Perham’s record. According to her blog, Jessica is into the start of her third month into her solo circumnavigation of the globe, non-stop on her boat Ella’s Pink Lady and doing well.
Knowing that Jessica is well into her attempt at the record of being the youngest person to sail the world solo, will be adding to Laura’s pressure.
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