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Missing Teen Sailor Alive and Well

Searchers talk to her via radio

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2010 1:22 AM CDT | Updated Jun 11, 2010 7:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Missing teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland has been located and is alive and well, her team revealed. Sunderland told searchers aboard a Quantas airbus, commissioned by the Australian government, that she's OK and has plenty of food, reports MSNBC. "Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!" her parents posted on her blog. A fishing boat is en route to help her, and should arrive in about 24 hours.

Contact was lost with the 16-year-old Californian before dawn yesterday, and she released emergency beacons shortly after. She reported being swamped by 25-foot waves in the southern Indian Ocean before losing contact. The teen began her attempt to sail alone around the world in January. Her brother Zac completed a similar trip at the age of 17.

Jeff Casher, technical support staff member for the Sunderland family, talks reporters about teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland outside her home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Jeff Casher, technical support staff member for the Sunderland family, talks reporters about teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland outside her home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Abby Sunderland, 16, gets a hug from a friend before leaving for her world record attempting solo journey around the world from the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, Calif., in January.
Abby Sunderland, 16, gets a hug from a friend before leaving for her world record attempting solo journey around the world from the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, Calif., in January.   (AP Photo/Richard Hartog)
Abby Sunderland, 16, looks out from her sailboat, Wild Eyes, as she leaves for her world record attempting journey at the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, Calif., in January.
Abby Sunderland, 16, looks out from her sailboat, Wild Eyes, as she leaves for her world record attempting journey at the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, Calif., in January.   (AP Photo/Richard Hartog)
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Teen sailor Abby Sunderland has been located in waters between Australia and Africa, after she sent out multiple distress signals.   (Reuters)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
wyattspoppa
Jun 12, 2010 10:39 AM CDT
Hey Danmcd, please tell me you have no children because you're a tool! What you know about kids could be written on a matchbook cover. You say allow her to live "her dreams", her brother did it last year, what are the odds she had the same "dream"? Here's rule #1 if you feel the need to buy a puppy (no kids for you Neverland boy!) Because your kids want to do something, doesn't mean they ought to, in fact, it's very often the opposite. Kids rarely choose the ideal time to move onward, it's nearly always before they're ready. This particular child was ill-prepared to face this, want proof? How about the tens or hundreds of thousands on the resue effort we'll be paying for zippy? For what? So her limelight whoring parents can put their children in grave danger so she can say she drove a boat really far? Pathetic! If this was truly my son's dream, and I could afford to fund it, I might let him if I WAS IN THE BOAT TO SAVE HIM WITH A POWER BOAT FOLLOWING! Why? Because I love my son enough to take care of him and say no when I need to. Apart from feeding them, it's the most critical part of parenting. We don't let our kids eat too many sweets so they don't lose their teeth, but these "parents" put their child in a situation that very likely would kill her (and damn nearly did)...that's ok by you. MORON! NEVER PROCREATE AND SHAME ON THE SUNDERLANDS. GO AHEAD, SAY SOMETHING!
BlueAyez
Jun 11, 2010 7:44 PM CDT
Happy to see she's still in the running. We need more with her spirit. Amelia Earhart would be proud.
Ghost911
Jun 11, 2010 6:05 PM CDT
I am so relieved! HA NOT! -non story- who cares-- Give us a Break! another RICH kid with nothing else to do! Most 16 year olds are struggling with school and grades and their meger jobs so they can afford gas money, this is how the RICH people get their kicks, to RISK their lives on frivolous adventures!

 
sailing • Zac Sunderland • solo sail • Abby Sunderland • around-the-world solo sail • Jeff Casher

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