Teen Sailor Abby Sunderland Missing

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

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

I think the plane is about an hour-ish away from her now - I'll keep you posted.

Far

that figures ... u need something with a really long range ... to & fro flight ...

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

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

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).

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.

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

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.

Abby's last known position.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?o...&z=1&iwloc=000488b5380ea8bf866d4&source=embed

Far

ETA 10 MINUTES for Qantas Jet.

Far

Thanks for keeping us all upto date Far.

Cheers

Fish

More than happy mate, not sure the boss would have the same view .

Far

GOOD NEWS!!! sounds like she has been spotted alive! Cheers

Far

She could make contact with the aircraft, just to let you know.

Far

Wonderful news!

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

This news is just wonderful to wake up to. Prayers answered.

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.