Click for Northern Lights Click for Cross Click for YF Listing Service Click for Delta Click for MotorCheck

Teen Sailor Abby Sunderland Missing

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by lovinlifenc, Jun 10, 2010.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    Either way she has to wait until tomorrow at 5pm Austrlian WST to be rescued.... tough gig.

    There is talk that the boat has lost its keel, and the yacht has overtuned as well. tougher gig.

    Far
  2. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    I would have to say yes (P-3 Orion), but they would be up north patroling the coastline up there. I think to get one down to perth and sent out, the rescue vessels may already be there. My guess is, that is the best hand they could deal.

    Please note that the yacht is 3000km (1860m) out from the mainland.

    Far
  3. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    I think the plane is about an hour-ish away from her now - I'll keep you posted.

    Far
  4. MaxPower

    MaxPower Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2008
    Messages:
    427
    Location:
    At Sea ... Aahhh ...
    that figures ... u need something with a really long range ... to & fro flight ...
  5. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    1,164
    Location:
    Gold Coast Australia
    Going by the comments on this thread I "assume" there is some evidence that the girls parents are pushy, selfish individuals trying to live out their own unfulfilled dreams through their children???
    or
    Just assuming incorrectly?
    At 16 nobody, and most especially anyone over 21, could tell me or most my peers ANYTHING. Without going into too much detail which might be construed as a good story tell, I did many crazy, dangerous and ridiculous things which in hindsight, should have killed me. How many of you guys HAVEN't? I bet most of us have.
    My 16 year old son just completed the Kokoda trek. 5 adults (young and fit) have apparently died doing this in the last few years. He did it for himself, not for me or my wife.

    How many teenagers, male and female, end up in hospital emergency or mortuaries due to drink driving/drivers, party drugs, random acts of violence or viscous attacks or even self inflicted wounds. Many of their parents would not even know which neighbourhood they are in anytime, let alone an ocean.
    IF the parents are the pushy type, then yes they should be critiscised but at the end of the day, it is **** hard and complex to be a parent and bringing up a child to have the courage, self confidence and **** it, attitude to try something like this should also be recognised.
    If she had succeeded not only would most critics laud her and her parents but she would be held up as a great American example to the troubled youth...
    just my 2c
  6. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    Kafue, I think those 5 died from hyponatremia (they were drinking to much water).

    Jessica Watson was praised for what she did, even though she had more critics than you could poke a stick at... there was one bull**** press saying well if she could do it, anyone could (what tanker would say that).

    Parents should encourage there kids to achieve "achieveable, realistic goals".... But I'm not a father.

    Far
  7. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,937
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
    Mike Perham, at 17, finished his solo RTW earlier this year back to the UK. He made his solo TransAt to Antigua followed by his father in another boat, at aged 14.

    If you've watch the film of his voyage you will have seen of the troubles and loneliness he encountered but it was all similar to any other challenge taken by a RTW sailor.

    I sailed from 'our' house, across the bay and onto the island all on my own at aged 9. It gave me the the greatest feeling of freedom. I think it scared the heck out of my Mum but Dad just shrugged and sort of went 'Hmm... good'.
    I know how proud I was for that Hmmm...(I think its the longest conversation we've ever had).
  8. bigboatbill

    bigboatbill Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
    Messages:
    201
    Location:
    Decatur Alabama
    I stick by my original post. I thought her parents had lost there mind when I first heard of her plans months ago. There are many activities that build confidence and life skills that do not involve unsupervised activities this perilous. While many children are quite capable, life experience is amassed through age. They are her parents and the call was theirs; no dispute. I wonder if perhaps now both parents and child are wishing someone had said "No Child". For the record If she had made the voyage with no troubles I would still find her parents decision questionable.

    Don't mean to preach and I respect all opinions on the matter, but this series of events has affected me more than a little. I truly hope she is found alive.
  9. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    The P-3 has around 9000km range, so more than capable, but planes like that are just not within reach for the rescue crew.

    Far
  10. Wanderer

    Wanderer New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2005
    Messages:
    26
    Location:
    The Med
    As a seafarer I pray for the safe return of this young lady. I pass no comment on her parents either.

    However I sincerely believe that such single handed voyages of greater than 24 hours should be strongly discouraged. This is irrespective of age. Remember Sir Francis Chichester on his failed voyage? Not only do such voyages go against all good seamanship but they potentially put their fellow seafarers & the rescue services at the very least to great inconvenience and expense.
  11. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
  12. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    ETA 10 MINUTES for Qantas Jet.

    Far
  13. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,937
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
    Thanks for keeping us all upto date Far.

    Cheers

    Fish
  14. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    More than happy mate, not sure the boss would have the same view :D .

    Far
  15. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    GOOD NEWS!!! sounds like she has been spotted alive! Cheers :D

    Far
  16. 84far

    84far Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2008
    Messages:
    794
    Location:
    Brisbane, AUS
    She could make contact with the aircraft, just to let you know.

    Far
  17. PropBet

    PropBet Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2007
    Messages:
    1,216
    Location:
    Is Everything!
    Wonderful news!

    reference: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0611-abby-sunderland-20100611,0,5457878.story
  18. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    This news is just wonderful to wake up to. Prayers answered.:)
  19. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    the timing of her trip proves that "they" were pushing for a record and what comes with it... there is a reason why RTW races leave europe in the fall, early winter: to cross the southern oceans during southern hemisphere summer! not in winter!
  20. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,721
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    I've been holding my tongue out of respect for her situation and the hardship her family must have been feeling.
    Now that they have found this girls alive, I will have to agree with other posters that this was an irresponsible mission from the beginning.
    Firstly, this is not a voyage for a 16 year old to undertake. A trip like this is sure to bring many extreme challenges (this incident, as well as her unscheduled stop in S.A. is evidence of such) which require expertise that can only be learned with years of experience. Malcolm Gladwell made a pretty good case, in his book the Outliers, that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. That would mean sailing 20 hours a week for 10 years on a boat with similar systems (there is much more than just sailing involved in a journey like this).
    Secondly I think long-distance solo sailing, in general, is arrogant and irresponsible. A proper bridge watch should be kept at all times, regardless of the size of your vessel. Failure to do so puts other vessels at risk.

    That being said, I am very happy that she is alive and well. Let's just hope that they don't decide to re-rig Wild Eyes and send her back out to sea.