Laura Dekker and her father, Dick, (left). Another no go until the next hearing in 2010. Image courtesy of EPA/Valerie Kuypers (click to enlarge)
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Laura Dekker update: The Judge ruled again
Posted: Oct 30, 2009 07:35 am EST
(TheOceans.net) This morning the Dutch Judge ruled again over 14-year old Laura Dekker’s case to sail around the world on her own. He ordered that she still stay under provisional supervision, this time until 1 July 2010.
Findings
According to the Dutch newspaper, De Volkskrant the Judge in the Utrecht district court in the central Netherlands found that Laura’s security plans are not sufficiently developed.
He also said she has followed no first aid course and no sleep management course. During her voyage she must be able to sleep only 20 minutes at a time. According to the Dutch Child Protection Council she is not experienced enough to do that.
According to the Judge Laura has not done enough training for her trip.
He found that the new plan of another boat following her to escort her into each port, was unclear.
The court also saw Laura’s emotional development as threatening. According to the Child Protection Council she needs her peers and parents for normal development.
Parents
In the period until 1 July 2010 Laura’s parents are free to apply to undo the supervision order. Laura’s parents are divorced and she lives with her father. Her mother has previously said in an interview with De Volkskrant that she opposes the trip.
Record
Laura turned 14 a few weeks ago. If she wants to break the record for the youngest person who sailed around the world she has to leave on her two your voyage before she is 15.
On 18 October 2009, 16-year old Jessica Watson left on a single-handed, non-stop sail around the world and is doing fine.
A 14-year old Dutch girl, Laura Dekker’s dream is to become the youngest to sail around the world, but it all depends if her home country’s authorities will give her permission to go.
Both British Mike Perham and American Zac Sunderland sailed around the world assisted. They were 16 when they started their voyages. Zac turned 17 on November 29, 2008 and Mike turned 17 on March 16, 2009.
Mike stayed further out to sea, whereas Zac stayed closer to shore. Zac Sunderland departed on his yacht from Marina del Rey, California on 14 June 2008 and arrived back 13 months later on July 16, 2009. Mike Perham left from Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays on Saturday 15th November 2008 and crossed his finish line on 27 August 2009. He currently holds the record for the youngest sailor around the world, assisted.
Jessica Watson, 16, left Sydney on October 18 to sail non-stop, unassisted around the world. She was born on 18 May 1993 on the Gold Coast and currently lives in Buderim Australia.
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