Teen's solo voyage plan causing controversy

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.

[commentcaption=Do you think she should be allowed to sail?]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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