Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

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Jazzy
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Jazzy »

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -Laura Dekker, the 14-year-old Dutch girl whose bid to sail solo around the world was blocked by a court, has gone missing, leaving behind her boat, police said Sunday.

Dekker appears to have left her father's home on her own, Utrecht police spokesman Bernhard Jens told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Her boat, Guppy, is still moored at its usual berth.

"We do not believe this is a crime," Jens said.

Jens would not comment on a report in Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant that Dekker withdrew euro3,500 ($5,000) from her bank account a few days ago.

Dutch broadcaster NOS cited a family spokeswoman as saying that Laura left a letter for her father before disappearing. It did not say what was in the letter.

The spokeswoman, Mariska Woertman, did not return calls seeking comment.

In October, Utrecht District Court refused to let Dekker embark on her attempt to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world, and placed her under the supervision of child care authorities until next July, meaning she could not leave the country without their permission.

Jens said Dutch authorities have alerted neighboring countries to monitor airports.

"That happens with missing minors — if she is seen somewhere else or tries to leave via an airport or something like that, authorities know we are looking for her," he said.

Dekker has joint Dutch and New Zealand citizenship because she was born on a yacht in New Zealand waters. She said earlier this year she might try to go there if Dutch authorities refused to let her sail.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure we can get her back," Jens said. "We are certainly concerned about her health — we are talking about an underage girl."

After the October court ruling Woertman said Dekker remained confident she would be ready to sail next July and would still be able to set the record as the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

The Utrecht court first blocked her departure in August out of concern for her safety. The decision sparked a worldwide debate on how much authorities and parents should limit children's freedom to undertake risky adventures.

Laura's parents, both veteran sailors, are separated. Laura's father supported the attempt but her mother said in a newspaper interview in September she thought Laura was too young.

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CARLA
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by CARLA »

On her way to New Zealand my guess. Someone has helped her leave the country.
ALOHA!!

MOTTO TO LIVE BY:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.

WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"

fuzzywuzzy
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by fuzzywuzzy »

Yep she's mature enough to sail around hte world...NOT!!!

It's like that Australian girl doing it at the moment. I think she's too young as well. God people are idiots. world records should be banned then we wouldn't have these situations

How did it get to court? Did mum say no?
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Jazzy
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Jazzy »

fuzzywuzzy;1274504 wrote:

How did it get to court? Did mum say no?


THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Dutch police say teenage sailor Laura Dekker, who made headlines when she went to court to fight for the right to sail solo around the world, has been missing since Friday.



Utrecht police spokesman Bernhard Jens says the 14-year-old's boat is still moored at its usual berth and she appears to have left her father's home on her own. Police have alerted neighboring countries to monitor airports.

Jens told The Associated Press on Sunday, "We do not believe this is a crime."

However, he says authorities are concerned for Dekker's health.

Utrecht District Court refused to let Dekker set sail and placed her under the supervision of child care authorities.
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Bryn Mawr
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Bryn Mawr »

Found in Barbados and now in the hands of the authorities.
deb_RTI
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by deb_RTI »

I am just so glad they found her safe.
Deb



If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all. ~Pearl S. Buck
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CARLA
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by CARLA »

How in the heck did she get there??

[QUOTE]Found in Barbados and now in the hands of the authorities.[/QUOTE]
ALOHA!!

MOTTO TO LIVE BY:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.

WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"

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Bryn Mawr
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Bryn Mawr »

CARLA;1275328 wrote: How in the heck did she get there??


Still more questions that answers :-

BBC News - Dutch sailor returns home to Netherlands

BTW, I was wrong, it was the Dutch Antilles and not Barbados.
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Jazzy
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Jazzy »

Unbelievable how a 14 year old managed to do this without help from someone. Wonder who that someone is :thinking:
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Bryn Mawr
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Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by Bryn Mawr »

Jazzy;1275478 wrote: Unbelievable how a 14 year old managed to do this without help from someone. Wonder who that someone is :thinking:


Resourceful young lady with $5,000 in her pocket and access to the internet, add the gift of the gab and the world's your oyster.
fuzzywuzzy
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:35 pm

Dutch teen who sought solo sailing trip disappears

Post by fuzzywuzzy »

If the girl doesn't understand the laws of the land and has a hissy fit when told 'No' how is she to cope with the laws of the sea?

If she was helped, then those helping her have done immeasurable damage for any future attempts at casting off.
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