Dutch Move to Block Teen's Around-the-World Solo Sail

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 2:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Dutch authorities have gone to court to demand custody of a 13-year-old girl to block her planned solo sail around the world, reports the BBC. The girl's parents have already been denied permission for her to miss two years of school for the adventure. Laura Dekker, who has sailed since the age of 6, told Dutch TV she has dreamed of such a trip for years. "I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely," she said.

An official recently told parliament that a "solo voyage around the world would not be in the best interests of the child."

Dutch officials have moved in court to make a 13-year-old girl a ward to the state in order to block her planned solo sail around the world. (©HarcoRutgers)

Sailing / SF Bay / OCSC / Olympic Circle Sailing Club (©tiarescott)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Mom of Dutch Sailor, 14: OK, She Can Go

Laura Dekker gets greenlight for around-the-world trip

(AP) - The mother of a 14-year-old Dutch girl who wants to sail solo around the world has given up her opposition to her daughter's planned trip. Laura Dekker's dream of becoming the youngest person to sail alone around the globe has been thwarted by a Dutch court that last year made her a ward of the state amid concerns over her physical ability and her social development if she is isolated and out of school for months. More»

Teen Sailor Can Stay With Dad

Ruling paves the way for another attempt at round-the-world sail

(AP) - A Dutch court ruled today that 14-year-old sailor Laura Dekker can remain in her father's custody after she ran away from home and traveled alone to the Caribbean. The ruling clears the way once again for Dekker to pursue her goal of becoming the youngest person to sail solo around the world. "At this moment there is no reason to remove her from her home," a judge said. Dekker's spokeswoman said she "jumped a hole in the sky" after hearing the news. More»

Runaway Sailor Laura Dekker Found Safe in Caribbean

14-year-old disappeared from the Netherlands

(NEWSER) - Laura Dekker, the Dutch teen sailor who apparently ran away from home, has been found in St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. Police on the Caribbean island have her in custody, and she is "safe and sound," a Dutch government spokesman tells the BBC . Dekker, 14, wants to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone, but a Dutch court prevented her from leaving and placed her under state supervision. More»

Dutch Sailor, 14, Goes Missing

Court had blocked Laura Dekker's attempt at round-the-world sail

(AP) - A teenage Dutch sailor who made headlines when she went to court to fight for the right to sail solo around the world has gone missing, police said today. Laura Dekker's boat, Guppy, is still moored at its usual berth and the 14-year-old appears to have left her father's home on her own, a police spokesman said, adding, "We do not believe this is a crime." More»

Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip

Girl leaves on 8-month trip as Aussies debate safety

(AP) - A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor under gray skies and slightly choppy conditions today to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. Jessica Watson's 23,600-mile journey through some of the world's most treacherous waters sparked debate about whether someone so young should be allowed to try such a dangerous feat. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Dutch Move to Block Teen's Around-the-World Solo Sail

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

sailing • sailor • Dutch TV • girls • Dutch government • child custody • teenager • solo sail • circumnavigation

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mom of Dutch Sailor, 14: OK, She Can Go

Laura Dekker gets greenlight for around-the-world trip

Teen Sailor Can Stay With Dad

Ruling paves the way for another attempt at round-the-world sail

Runaway Sailor Laura Dekker Found Safe in Caribbean

14-year-old disappeared from the Netherlands

Dutch Sailor, 14, Goes Missing

Court had blocked Laura Dekker's attempt at round-the-world sail

Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip

Girl leaves on 8-month trip as Aussies debate safety

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Dutch Move to Block Teen's Around-the-World Solo Sail

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

sailing • sailor • Dutch TV • girls • Dutch government • child custody • teenager • solo sail • circumnavigation

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mom of Dutch Sailor, 14: OK, She Can Go

Laura Dekker gets greenlight for around-the-world trip

Teen Sailor Can Stay With Dad

Ruling paves the way for another attempt at round-the-world sail

Runaway Sailor Laura Dekker Found Safe in Caribbean

14-year-old disappeared from the Netherlands

Dutch Sailor, 14, Goes Missing

Court had blocked Laura Dekker's attempt at round-the-world sail

Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip

Girl leaves on 8-month trip as Aussies debate safety

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?