Comments on: Can a 13-year-old sail the world alone?

By: Marcia Curvo

Marcia Curvo — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:32:58 +0000

No 13 years old should be sailing around the world alone, just as no 13 years old is allowed to drive a car, nor to drink alcoholic beverages, nor to smoke and so on… This girl has to go to school at this age and no exception should be made, she is too young to decide what she wants to do.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:06:13 +0000

I think parental responsibilities should be practiced on a different level, just look at all the teenagers with questionable morals yet living with their parents, sitting in schools waiting to enter a boring life. Involvement of her parents is understandable but what does it have to do with any court or organization? Let her do what she wants, explain the possible consequences. Life is worth losing for an adventure like that.

By: Gabriel H.

Gabriel H. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:45:15 +0000

If I were her, I would wait until I am 16 to make this really big solo trip. Should she not be, just be in school, for now, just like other young people of her own age?

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:55:53 +0000

Sorry young lady, but I think you are far too young to be making this trip. Enjoy your life first as a teenager, have fun, go to school, go to college…

If you still feel that you want to sail around the world when you have done all this, then go ahead, do it and enjoy it with everyones blessing.

By: Elsa

Elsa — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:18:58 +0000

What if…Should we than finance the rescue operation? Which country will pay that bill? Sorry kid, you are too young. Stupid parents.

By: Ron Mudd

Ron Mudd — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:07:42 +0000

As a free spirit go for it. As a parent, ‘hell no’, not at 13. But if she does make the journey I’ll be behind her 100% just be sure to stop here in Belize we’ll have a welcoming party for her.

By: Henk Gauw

Henk Gauw — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:28:06 +0000

Though her navigational skills and level of seamanship may be exceptional, mentally and physically a thirteen-year old simply is unable to cope with the challenges of such a trip. Period! In my opinion, she should be stopped before she ends up dead or worse. Really, I’d hate to be the one then to say to the parents, “I told you so!”

By: Rob Nuijten, Amsterdam

Rob Nuijten, Amsterdam — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:36:59 +0000

There’s a sad development in this story. The Newspaper De Volkskrant, and after that, the newspaper NRC Handelsblad, have chosen to publish an interview with the mother of the child. In that interview, the mother gives away something Laura had said to her in private: a threat. I think that it is very un-ethic, for newspapers, to publish about private conversations between mother and child, especially when the child had no chance to approve of this. And even if it did, it is not done. Privae conversations are private, but what 13 year old says to heir mother in private, should be even more protected. Court hearings about family matters are also done behind closed doors. It’s not for the public. There’s a reason for that.

By: Ray Veenema

Ray Veenema — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:21:59 +0000

The State should stay out of parental rights decisions. If the parents support Laura than what right has the State to overrule their decision.

The law states that minors up until the age of 16 are required to follow mandatory education. The law should not apply when the individual in question is not in the country. If parents live outside Europe with minors, does the Dutch State impose the education law in the foreign country?

I am fully in support of the decision Laura parents make. Laura’s parents, and only Laura parents, have a say in the development and education of her. If they see her fit, mentally and physically, to chase her dream I’d say—Go for it!

By: M Kraak

M Kraak — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:26:29 +0000

Police has fired 10-20 rounds into a crowd of 25 thousand of which 20-80 individuals were interested in rioting. 1 person was killed.
Police Commissioners have been relieved of duty & the mayor is in a very tight spot.

That is news & will be for weeks/months.

The sailing story is already added to the annals of history.