Why would any responsible parent even consider such a thing? She may be smart academically but I doubt she is that mature> Let's let children be children and supportive in that respect. My goodness what a father this guy is. Or, is not.

Who are you to impose your fears onto someone else's ambitions? Go back to your couch and shut up.

Although I've always supported Title IX, I do not think this is a good idea. And I've coached girls for many years too, and I do know they're exceptional, bright and work very hard.

What about her education during this time. does "solo" also mean no one can follow her? how do we know her dad isn't going 2 be in his own boat right behind her? if he isn't, then hell no. she must be having manic grandiose thoughts.

In all honesty, who gives a damn? This is just another case of a spoiled brat dictating to her parents. This is not even newsworthy.

Why not? We still need adventure in our lives. Age shouldn't be an issue

Why not? We still need adventure in our lives. Age shouldn't be an issue

I think any parent who would let a child of this age try and sail around the world is really crazy!!!!!!!!!!! This just proves that they are more interested in the noteriety of that action, and don't care about their child. Age 13 is very
much a child and doesn't have the smarts to deal with an undertaking of this magnitude. At least the child protective services had their brains where they needed to be in this situation.

since I was a child I have dreamed of doing this, and circumstances in life have made it as of yet impossible to achieve. now in my 30s, I still dream of this, but the point was never to be the youngest or the first at anything- it is simply to see the world, and getting to know myself in a way that could only be achieved in this way. The experience gained for this child would be immense, but I would think her better off finishing school first and then goingon an adventure. who cares who the youngest person to do a certain thing is. If she goes then will solo world sailors consecutively keep getting younger until babies that can't speak or walk are undertaking such adventures?

a couple of things , her parents need to be turned over to the police for even thinking of this. Who is gonna get sued when the girl disappears ? this isnt even newsworthy.her parents obviuosly have money and she reminds me of the blueberry brat on willy wonka

Let Laura start with her trip.She intends to call at various ports so in due time she can allways deside to continue or stop.

A 13 year-old girl sailing around the world in a 26 ft boat? You gotta be kidding! How much experience does she have at solo deep-water sailing? Has she ever survived a storm at sea at night? How does she repair a mast or survive a capsize at sea? I spent two-and-a-half years at sea on a real ship and storms with 30 foot plus seas in the dead of night are as close as I ever want to get to the gates of hell. Sending a kid out there alone in a BOAT is the very definition of child abuse--perhaps attempted murder. Thank God the Dutch government possesses the common sense her parents clearly do not.

Actually she has a lot of experience on boats and even solo sailing. She's very competent at the helm of a boat. Try a little research on this kid before you write her off.

of Course it's not a good idea. But is that any of the government's business? Since when does the "all-knowing" Dutch government know better for someone's kid than they do? This is the epitome of socialism. They should pass laws to ban this in the future, but they can't just take her away because they don't think it's a good idea. This leads to other things, like taking someone's child away because of religious or politcal views

this is the classic dream killer, you want to do something amazing and prove to your self that you can do it, but no big fat people with big gold pens say "your not allowed" when you ask them "why?" the fat people just say "becasue I am a dream killer and I love doing it to people that want to do something cool."

I know 90% of you people think this is crazy. But you have to understand people only have 1 chance in their lives to do soemthing amazing, why not start early? ALso what does it matter how old she is? Just because she has less candels on her birthday cake than you doesn't mean you can tell her what to do. i am suppriesed she doesn't just do it, no one should even tell you what to do. No one!

How much do her parents have her insured for? Think about it.

This parent is crazy? I doubt that. We have kids younger than her in large cities riding bikes across town ALONE!!! Oh my, the dangers are everywhere, from getting lost in the streets to simply and quite possibly getting killed by an adult talking on a cellular phone and hitting the child with a car. Do we enact laws that prevent parents from allowing their child to cross the street alone? NO! Sailing is a SKILL, which can be learned. Sailing at 13 or 33 isn't the issue, the issue is simply does the 13 year old have the SKILLS needed to sail? If the parent and child both say yes, who are we to say she can't. Live life to its fullest and it no longer matters how long it last.

it seems no one cares what the parents think.. i mean if she gets killed during this trip the rest of the world will at most just feel bad but really unless there family will prolly not feel as badly as the parents... so if the parents have the faith that she will come back alive i think by all means... assuming that these parents are considered sane and with sound judgement with general morals....

it seems no one cares what the parents think.. i mean if she gets killed during this trip the rest of the world will at most just feel bad but really unless there family will prolly not feel as badly as the parents... so if the parents have the faith that she will come back alive i think by all means... assuming that these parents are considered sane and with sound judgement with general morals....

Not sure what is correct. Am sure we do not let kids dream and have fun and soon they are old and in wheel chairs and nursing homes with life gone by and all its potential. There is a book, "Dove" about a young boy that did this and lived happily ever after. MInimizing risk and having parents visit her two or three ports of call aroung the world would be important, as well as avoiging storm seasons and stormy seas as one writer warned of. There are times of year and routes that are safer. Being well armed would also be important... a few surface to surface missles would be a good investment for the child if she were to venture near Moslem territories or pirate waters.... but that makes leaving international waters difficult. NOt sure what is best.... would hate to see her get hurt, suffer, or so on and also hate to see her dream not become reality. The challenges might develop character. The being alone might be psychologicaly unhealthy for that length of time. I do not know. WE did not close NASA even though we have had some fatalities. I guess this is one to pray about... God knows what is best.

O_O she will die the first 3 days or so. 2 YEARS srsly? No fucking boat could carry so much weight. impossible. and plus, the waves could easily flip her boat over and drown her. its like a paper boat in a fcken lake with hundreds of kids splashing about. she wont last very long. her parents might as well start her funeral >_>
their fckn crazy. xD

I think it's fabulous! She is probably a very competent sailor and I fully support someone reaching to accomplish a dream. Most people are so ashamed of the fact that they haven't accomplished anything of merit in their lives that they hate to see someone else lead a passionate life. Stunt your own kids lives, but don't hinder someone elses dreams. You go, Laura!!!

true its not the greatest plan in the world but if you look at robin lee gram in the early 60s he sailed a 24 foor sail boat with out radar ,gps or any other comunitation gear of any kind this young lady will have all the latest in nave and comunication and stearing gear dont break her dreams by being stupid i agree that ists not smart but i have not talked to her or seen her sailing abilities we all have to let go of our children and let them try and achive their dreams some are ready early and others will never get that far and its not the governments place to tell you were and when you can realise that dream tha is hers and her family not ours we should let them realize their dreams and geive all the suport they neew just like we do for childern that want to play ball

DOES ANY BODY THINK ABOUT PIRATES??????

To be honest with you. I think I am one of many folks who will not feel bad this girl was to get killed at sea. Stupid is as stupid does.
Life goes on for the rest of us.

What rubs us the worst? Her age, her parents condoning the sail, the ability to be able to finance this, the publicity this has generated, that a "13 year old girl" could possibly be able to fulfill a "life time dream" but could be denied,her probable demise in the attempt of this feat,or the government intervention. I think the list could go on. I think no matter how skilled, mature, resourceful, or responsible this child is ,that fact remains she is a child. Many of us have had or have a 13 year old and I don't think this dream would be incouraged. As for comparing the open water to a city and playing ball, a serious reality check is needed there.

What rubs us the worst? Her age, her parents condoning the sail, the ability to be able to finance this, the publicity this has generated, that a "13 year old girl" could possibly be able to fulfill a "life time dream" but could be denied,her probable demise in the attempt of this feat,or the government intervention. I think the list could go on. I think no matter how skilled, mature, resourceful, or responsible this child is ,that fact remains she is a child. Many of us have had or have a 13 year old and I don't think this dream would be incouraged. As for comparing the open water to a city and playing ball, a serious reality check is needed there.

Actually, she has had many many years of sailing experience and she knows exactly what she is doing. So far, she has been training for 2 whole years to go on this expedition. She has been analyzed over and over again by psychiatrists to make sure she is ready and they have all said yes. The problem here is that uninformed people like most of the ones on here look at the headline and make an automatic judgement. You think she is too young and too bratty and doesn't know what she's in for. But that is not the case. She just wants to hold the world record for the youngest one to sail around the world solo and I think that she should go for it. If at some point during the voyage she changes her mind then she should be able to do that. She should at least have a chance to achieve her goal.

I may think it's crazy but I also think it's ultimately the parents' call. If they were genuinely abusive or neglectful or even just plain stupid, it probably would have come to the attention of the authorities before now. What wrong have they done to have their parental decisions overruled? As an American, I can think of nothing more dangerous in the long run than giving this kind of veto power to government authorities. Sure, what the kid wants to do is potentially dangerous, and I would never give such permission, but it isn't MY daughter.

I may think it's crazy but I also think it's ultimately the parents' call. If they were genuinely abusive or neglectful or even just plain stupid, it probably would have come to the attention of the authorities before now. What wrong have they done to have their parental decisions overruled? As an American, I can think of nothing more dangerous in the long run than giving this kind of veto power to government authorities. Sure, what the kid wants to do is potentially dangerous, and I would never give such permission, but it isn't MY daughter.

I may think it's crazy but I also think it's ultimately the parents' call. If they were genuinely abusive or neglectful or even just plain stupid, it probably would have come to the attention of the authorities long before now. What wrong have they done to have their parental decisions overruled? As an American, I can think of nothing more dangerous in the long run than giving this kind of veto power to government authorities. Sure, what the kid wants to do is potentially dangerous, and I would never give such permission, but it isn't MY daughter.

I've been following this story and although the girl seems bright and capable, there's a huge difference between the occassionally sailing trip and a 2 year solo trip. She should be concentrating on school and having fun with friends not isolating herself from everyone. I've spent time isolated and the occassional contact with people doesn't make up for the friends you get to hang out with on a regular basis, the ones you see at school or work, the family that is there for you when you're having a bad day. All those things are important, especially at this age. She needs to face life, not run and hide from it. She can always plan to do the trip after she's finished her schooling in a few years, when she'll also be more emotionally mature.