Court Allows 14-Year-Old Dutch Girl to go on Solitary Around the World Voyage

Laura Dekker (1995- ), shall she become the youngest solitary circumnavigator in history? I say… let her try! God willing, she shall!

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Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker, who could become the world’s youngest circumnavigator, is committed to accomplishing a solitary around the world voyage, according to AFP. On Tuesday, a court in the Dutch city of Middelburg allowed her to attempt a solitary circumnavigation, although, in early May, a court in another Dutch city, Arnhem, rejected her application to lift the ban on committing her solitary circumnavigation, and that court demanded the authorities to establish supervision over Laura. As noted by Judge Suzanne Kuypers, the court not only gave the “go ahead” to the dreams of the young traveller, it also “dismissed the application to extend the guardianship” over Laura. In October 2009, a court in Utrecht forbade Laura to begin a journey before 1 July, handing the girl over to the guardianship of child welfare authorities. During this period, the young yachtswoman was prevented from making important decisions concerning her life. In June, the Court of Middelburg extended for one month the guardianship over 14-year-old Laura.

The history of the struggle this young traveller had to achieve her cherished dream began in December 2009, when she fled to the island of Sint Maarten in the Caribbean, to try to slip out to sea, but local residents identified her and she subsequently returned to the Netherlands. The girl herself claimed that she is an experienced yachtsman and first sailed alone on the open sea when she was six-years-old. The dream of a solitary circumnavigation first appeared to her when she was ten-years-old. Laura Decker was born in New Zealand during her parent’s voyage around the world, and she lived afloat for the first four years of her life. At present, 16-year-old Australian Jessica Watson, who successfully completed her voyage on 15 May, three days before her 17th birthday, holds the title of the youngest solitary circumnavigator.

27 July 2010

RIA-Novosti

http://rian.ru/world/20100727/259009357.html

Editor’s Note:

Here’s what the Russian press is saying about Laura. I say… let her go, good luck and Godspeed to her! She was a football in her parents’ divorce case… that’s SO typical. That’s the REAL reason for the earlier court orders. She’s no younger than many a midshipman who sailed before the mast in the age of sail. She knows what she’s doing… she knows the risks. Let her go… and may God bless you, Laura; you’ve got more guts and grit than many “mature adults”.

Good fortune, good winds, and good spirits… you won’t be alone, dear…

BMD