A DUTCH Court has decided that a 14-year-old girl may sail solo around the world, despite protests from the country’s main child welfare organisation and a marathon series of court battles and hearings.
Laura Dekker was placed under state guardianship last year after attempting to become the youngest person to sail solo around the globe at the age of 13.
Deemed foolhardy and irresponsible, while supported by her father and sailing enthusiasts, the issue pitted the Dutch authorities against Dekker’s family, sparking a nationwide discussion on how far children should be allowed to undertake dangerous adventures, notwithstanding parental support.
Dutch social workers had argued Laura was too young to weigh the dangers of such a voyage undertaken alone and psychologists feared the long-term isolation would be damaging at a vital time in a young person’s development.
Yesterday, Middleberg Family Court lifted a state supervision order, clearing the way for the trip, ruling that it was up to the girl’s parents to decide whether or not she can make the two-year voyage. The child protection council said it wanted Laura to remain under its guardianship for a further year. Social workers monitoring Laura believed she had fulfilled the conditions for making the trip. These included increasing her experience of solo sailing, taking a first aid course and learning to cope with sleep deprivation. She will continue her schooling via daily internet links with the World College.
At the start Dekker’s mother had misgivings but changed her position and was quoted in Dutch newspapers in recent days saying: “I know she can do it – she’s a strong girl and doesn’t give up.”
Laura will start her trip within the next two weeks, after sailing to Portugal with her father, then availing of summer tides and favourable sailing conditions and to try and return while she is still 16.
She was not in court to hear the outcome. On hearing of the verdict she hugged the mast of her yacht, Guppy, saying: “I hoped they would let me go. Now I want to jump in the water with joy – wonderful news. I cannot wait to set sail.”