Dutch solo sailor update

According to media reports the Dutch child protection services have asked judges to extend 14-year-old Laura Dekker's supervision by 12 months in an effort to stop her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

During a closed Middleburg district court hearing the Utrecht Child Protection Council requested a review of Laura Dekker's state of readiness for the two-year trip, a court statement said. The court will take the week to decide and will reply on the 27th.

The council fears for the girl's social and emotional development noting that the risks of such a journey cannot be fully appreciated.  Dekker needs to complete the trip before she turns 17 on September 20, 2012, to break the record. It should be noted that there is no official (WSSRC) record for the youngest solo sailing record.

Originally her separated parents disagreed on her plans but now both parents support her bid.

Originally Dekker had intended to set sail last September, 2009, but the intervention of child care officials, and a subsequent court ruling, placed her under their supervision until July 1, 2010 when the Dutch school year ends. In December last year, however, she breached the court order and ran away to the Dutch Caribbean territory of St Martin. Police escorted her back home and the supervision was extended to August 1.

AFP reports her lawyer stating that the supervision is no longer required as she has carried out all the court requests plus progressed in other areas of concern. An independent sailing expert has approved her sailing plans, she has obtained a first aid diploma, registered with a distance education facility to continue her schooling at sea, gained solo sailing experience and learnt sleep management techniques.

In May, Australia's Jessica Watson became the youngest person at 16 to sail around the world non-stop, solo and unassisted. But in June, a US teenager on a similar mission was plucked from her stricken yacht in the Indian Ocean.