Bravo for Abby Sunderland's Parents

I myself made a two week rail journey by myself between Chicago/San Diego/San Francisco when I was 14

none if any

will not be sending a bill to the family

Abby left Los Angeles on January 23 in the hope of becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, attempting to better Australian Jessica Watson.

But she came to grief when her mast snapped and yacht rolled in atrocious weather conditions on Thursday.
She was first spotted by rescuers late Friday in a chartered Qantas Airbus after a 12-hour search that had already cost Australian taxpayers more than $200,000.

And the bill to save the teenager was mounting last night as the Australian Defence Force deployed two AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean to assist in rescue efforts.

...

Australian Maritime Safety Authority chief executive Mick Kinley did not say how much the rescue mission would cost but said it would not be seeking compensation for the search, which initially fell just outside of Australia's search and rescue region.

``That's the way the system runs,'' Mr Kinley said. ``It's our obligation to do this and we'll fulfill those obligations as Australia does.''

June 26 (Reuters) - The cost of searching for missing adventurer Steve Fossett -- estimated at $1.6 million -- has strained the Nevada National Guard's training budget as one of its units prepares to deploy overseas, according to a state audit.

The audit provided to Reuters on Thursday by Gov. Jim Gibbons' office estimates the air search for Fossett has cost more than $1.6 million.

Approximately $419,000 of Nevada's cost for the search fell on the state National Guard, which deployed helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for roughly two weeks during the search.

are you trying to make a point?

Responding to questions from reporters on whether Abby was too young to take such a voyage, her father defended her skill.

"What this is about is a young lady who has a great skill on the ocean and a passion for bluewater sailing. She's a remarkable young lady and has done a remarkable job on 'Wild Eyes; sailing it over half way around the world," he said.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/06/12/teen.sailor/index.html?hpt=T1

I love parents who make a stand against the popular belief that young people should be treated like babies until they are well into their twenties. This coddling is bad for raising well adjusted and competent adults. I myself made a two week rail journey by myself between Chicago/San Diego/San Francisco when I was 14, and made several other trips either by myself or with friends before I got out of High School. Challenge and exploration is required for growing up, and our societal Peter Pan tendencies need to go away so that young people can do it.

I got my driver's license at 16 and I remember driving away from the house for the first time...dad was amused; mom was having a nervous breakdown lol.

No way they'd have let me sail alone at that age...Abby's mom says Abby won't be doing it again. We'll see.

I think I read somewhere that a 13 year-old will be attempting to claim the title of being the youngest to reach the summit of Mt. Everest (or maybe he already has). Brave kids.