16-yr-old Abby Sunderland is alive and apparently safe aboard her damaged sailboat

[Hannah Bell]

Abby Sunderland, 16, is alive and apparently well, floundering in rough seas in the Indian Ocean without a mast, but safely aboard her 40-foot boat and awaiting the arrival of rescue ships.

An Australian plane with 11 trained observers found Sunderland, who on Thursday had activated two emergency distress beacons signaling an international rescue attempt, not long after daybreak Friday. Its crewmade contact with her on a marine radio channel.

The mariner from Thousand Oaks, Calif., who had been attempting to become the youngest person to have sailed around the world alone, had lost has mast and rigging after her vessel apparently rolled in heaving seas. Her position is extremely remote, more than 2,000 miles from Australia and Africa...

A rescue has not been made, however. The nearest ship bound for her position is about 30 hours away, but fierce winds and seas that had been upwards of 40 feet are abating. Australian, American and French search-and-rescue authorities are cooperating in the rescue attempt.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/17960/abby+sunderland+is+alive+and+apparently+safe+aboard+her+damaged+sailboat/


Glad she's safe but I wonder about the wisdom of the venture...

also wonder whether the family will be charged for the services of the australian, french & us navies, since neo-lib policy demands fee for service...

[jobycom]

1. She's either lucky, resourceful, smart, or a perfect combination of the three.

Glad to hear it. I'll leave the arguments about the wisdom of such ventures to those who give a damn. I can't even figure out my own life, I'm not going to worry about how others live theirs. :)

[bobburgster]

2. Happy to hear...

Have to say I'm very happy, and hopeful she will be rescued alive and well. I have mixed feelings on her being allowed to attempt such a dangerous feat. On the one hand, who are we to stifle someones ambition, on the other hand, shouldn't we protect someone still young from apparent danger?

[Whisp]

3. thank you for the good news! yay!

[KT2000]

4. Good to hear she is OK

With no mast and a history of engine troubles - it is time for her to come home.

[Trajan]

5. Good news ...

I love Sailboats ....

What was that boy's name who sailed the Dove ? ... Robin what ?

[liberalla]

6. She's been posting pics and updates at her blog

Abby's blog: http://soloround.blogspot.com/

Here's a photo she posted from June 5th,
captioned "the calm before the storm"



I'm glad she's OK.