New Zealand maritime officials say they would need to be
satisfied a Dutch teenager planning to sail solo around the
world would not put her own life - or the lives of rescuers -
at risk, if she decides to launch the bid from New Zealand.
Laura Dekker, 13, is battling a bid by Dutch welfare
authorities to make her a ward of the Dutch courts later this
week if she persists with plans to begin a record-breaking,
solo world voyage on September 1, when she will be 14.
She wants to make the trip in her 8.3m Hurley 800 yacht,
Guppy.
"I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely,"
she told Dutch television.
Dekker was born on her parents' yacht off the NZ coast and it
has been reported she holds a New Zealand passport, as well
as Dutch and German citizenship,
She has said she was prepared to flee to New Zealand to
escape the child protection authorities.
There is no age limit under New Zealand maritime law
regarding who can carry out a solo voyage.
Maritime NZ recreational boating manager Jim Lott said the
age, skill and experience of the person attempting the voyage
would have to be considered by officials, along with the
seaworthiness of their vessel and other safety factors.
The agency has powers under the Maritime Transport Act 1994,
to detain any vessel from leaving New Zealand waters if it is
likely to endanger any person or property, or is hazardous to
the health or safety of any person.
"While every expedition is different and is judged on its
merits, anyone intending to undertake an "extreme" voyage of
this magnitude from New Zealand must satisfy strict standards
to ensure safety before receiving clearance to depart," Mr
Lott said.
"While other young people have successfully carried out
voyages of this type, there is no question that being alone
in a small boat on a large ocean is extremely tough -
mentally, physically and emotionally - even for an
experienced adult sailor," said Mr Lott, an experienced
yachtsman who has sailed internationally.
Maritime NZ last year blocked a young Englishman, Oliver
Hicks, 27, from setting off from New Zealand in a row boat to
row 24,000km around Antarctica.
Hicks instead launched his $500,000 rowboat, The Flying
Carrot, from Tasmania in January, but abandoned the voyage
after spending three months unsuccessfully trying to row
across the Tasman. He was towed into Bluff by a fishing boat.
Mr Lott said Martitime NZ was aware of concerns raised by
Dutch authorities about Dekker's proposed voyage and would
take these into consideration, along with any concerns raised
by other New Zealand agencies.
British teenage sailor, Mike Perham, 17, who set his first
world record when he sailed the Atlantic alone, also at the
age of 14, told the Daily Telegraph that people should
focus on the girl's ability.
"Laura isn't average," said the Briton, who is due to
complete his own solo voyage around the world in Portsmouth
next weekend.
"She's an accomplished sailor already and has a lot of
sailing experience."
If Dekker had the technical sailing ability, and physical and
mental strength - "then she should go for it. And good luck
to her," he said.
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