(Not) Sailing the Stormy Seas

The Dutch courts today ruled that a 13-year-old girl, who wanted to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world, was "in need of protection" and was made a temporary ward of the court, pursuant to their child protection legislation.

We have to applaud and support this decision. As a recreational coastal sailor, who thus far has confined his adventures to the protected waters of the Salish Sea, the writer has scared himself silly more than enough times to realize the enormous physical and psychological challenges faced by solo circumnavigators. There are some things that just shouldn't be attempted by 13-year-olds.

GreenWay Legal Centre was a proud (albeit miniscule) supporter to Derek Hatfield, who skippered the Algimouss Spirit of Canada, in an unsuccessful bid earlier this year to conquer the brutal Vendée Globe solo, round the world race. We followed Hatfield's progress daily via email (which was much more fun than preparing for trial). Last night, in an interview with the CBC, the survivor of a hurricane rounding Cape Horn agreed that the venture was simply far too perilous, and the physical demands far too extreme, to permit a youngster to put her life at such risk.

Photo and further information courtesy of

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/race/introduction.html