What were her parents thinking?
 

Many people were asking that question as a 16-year-old girl sat adrift and alone in the frigid southern Indian Ocean,
her ship's mast dashed along with her around-the-world sailing effort.
Sea of criticism for adrift young sailor's parents - Yahoo! News
If you were the parent would you have allowed your 16 year old daughter
to attempt to sail around the world alone?

Same thing they were thinking when they let her brother do it.

And what do you suppose that was?

The additional question remains: If you were the parent would you have allowed your 16 year old daughter to attempt to sail around the world alone?

I don't know the young lady, or her skills. The media is making an issue out of it, but sixteen can be fairly mature. I wouldn't let a twelve year old do it, but yes, a sixteen year old, if she was skilled enough and tough enough mentally. She wouldn't likely be, but age wouldn't be the disqualifier, her ability would

We have a family friend (my daughter's school friend) who sailed single-handed around Great Britain in a small boat (it took three months) upon graduation from high school (OK, A levels in the UK). She supported the Ellen MacArthur Trust, built her skills, then raced a solo ocean race, then completed a solo trans-Atlantic race (OSTAR) last year. Youngest ever female to complete the race. I'd let my daughter sail around the world if she had Katie's skills. Yes, she is 22 now, not 16, but it came to mind.

Katie Miller Yacht Racing

Now Quick, would you let your child sail solo, or climb a mountain, or race a car?

Good question;

knowing them as I do I would encourage them to count the cost.
I Also know the decision they would make, so any temporary
insanity on their part would quickly fizzle replaced with reasonable
conclusions.

It's not just about one's competencies in the open sea as you never know what you'll run into (weathers, pirates, etc...)

I was thinking about sailing skills, navigation, weather, communications, boat and gear repair, ability to handle being alone, etc. Pirates are a variable that would likely keep me out of that part of the world.

I probably wouldn't even let my 16 year old daughter go on a date.

would you let a 16 year old drive??? those roads are pretty trecherous out there and more people die from car crashes than sailing accidents. I know quite a few friend's kids who sail.

Also, do any of these idiots making the judgment have sailing experience? If you don't how could you make judgement of something you know nothing about..

Not quite sure there is enough data to compare 16 year olds sailing around the world by themselves to driving. Pretty far stretch. :rofl:

The interesting part of this is here's A California teenager who spent
three days adrift on the turbulent Indian Ocean who described her ordeal as "crazy".

Mind you now this was only 3 days. The sea is unforgiving and while her
age may not be a factor her mind set and her emotional state regarding
dealing with the ocean could have been tested in ways that her limited
life experience may not have be prepared for. This may be the biggest
error made by those advising her.

People who spend time at sea will tell you that each persons experience
is different and it may not be the best place to learn about yourself
if your not prepared for what can and will happen.

You think they ask for permission? It's a new world out there.

You dodged the question. The question was whether you would let them do something that some people would consider dangerous. You answered that they would calculate the cost, not be able to afford it, or the idea would pass, and so they wouldn't do it anyway. Saved you from making the call. But let's say they wanted to do it, and found a way. Would you support them, or would you exercise your parental authority to stop them? I suspect I know the answer, since your thread title is "What were they thinking?", but it is always worth asking to make sure.

This example ended badly for the boat, not so badly for the young lady. Check the link I gave you on Katie Miller and her ocean racing. Would you have let her sail solo around England and Scotland in a 21' boat? Race solo across the Atlantic in a 30' boat? She has sponsors, and worked hard raising money, so she has the financial means to do it.

I bet.

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.. so move on.. not your kid, your opinion really doesn't matter Barry.. :nanana:

My kid or not my opinion matters just as much as your does.
If not now it will matter later on just as it has in the past with others
who have taken the time to listen....:D

Actually I did answer the question. But for you let me put it
another way.

If a 16 year old does not realize the dangers that they will face
as a result of their choices then it's my job as a parent to
exercise good judgement in their behalf until they reach the
age that they can make their own decisions.

With every decision one has to count the cost. I already know
the cost of doing something that some people would consider
dangerous. Therefore in this case my job as a parent is to get
my children to reason and consider what the risks are.

We as parents then expect our young ones to make a decision that
underscores their respect and concern for parents and
other family members who would bear the trauma from a bad decision they would make.

In this case none of my kids would consider solo sailing as a
wise decision. They understand the effect it would have on
other family members and would choose not to put the family
thru any undue stress.

I'm with you on this, although I don't have kids and no authority on the subject. I wouldn't let my 16 year old girl go out at night alone past 11 pm regardless of the neighborhood. The parents are out of their minds. Clearly they think the daughter can fend off bad people in boats who approach her on her own. Stupid.

OK, fair enough, you have veto power over your kid's decisions. Now, how old do they have to be to make their own decisions? 17? 18? 19? 21? 37?

I actually saw the interview of this girl and she doesn't seem like your normal 16 year old. I know 16 years is young and all but this girl really knows how to sail. She's sailed many times on her own.

People make their own decisions every day. So it's not about
how old one has to be to make their "OWN" decisions.
It's more about how one exercises responsibility when
making those decisions.

When young ones begin making decisions that clearly will have
a negative effect on the family then it's time to begin discussing
their choices and or their departure for a life on their own.

Of course when your car dies on the highway, getting back to safety doesn't involve a military operation or chartering an Airbus. Can't recall how much AAA costs these days, but I'd bet a lifetime membership is less than the estimated $300,000 it cost to rescue Betty.

Personally I think it was a ridiculous decision on everyone's part. Just b/c she thinks she could do it doesn't necessarily mean she should. At 16 she is still effectively a child and had something catastrophic happened I really don't want to imagine beyond that.

On a side note, the next group meet is going to take place at that girl's parents house on July 4th. It is being organized by them and balloon boy's parents. Everyone is welcome. Bonus points for anyone who arrives by boat or balloon.

So how did her age cause the storm that took her mast off? My point is that her age ends up being irrelevant, and the same charges could be levelled at any ocean sailor.

She is a child. That is relevant.