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Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 12:20 GMT 13:20 UK

The drive too do such feat is amazing for a thirteen year old. She though needs more guidance and psychological preparation before embarking .Aside from her age, she should be aware of the consequences. A 13 year old alone can be in danger in any parts of the world, even kids get raped.
She has the guts and the amazing drive, but it takes more than these things to do the feat.

Janice Dimaano, Kidapawan City,Philippines

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 12:17 GMT 13:17 UK

she is far too young to do such a dangeroussport what on earth are her parents thinking of? the judges should be ashmed if they decide to let her do this. the seas are rough and maybe she has experience but no way hosay should she get to do this at all. where are her parents brains?

lynne, edinburgh

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:59 GMT 12:59 UK

our system of social development is based on the idea of education up until a certain age in order that individuals can become meaningful contributors to society, and earn their way. we call this being independent. ironically, if you try and step outisde of the system because you have become independent faster than your peers, you are regarded as odd and in this instance, are taken into state custody. ae we getting a little mixed up? possibly, possibly...

jonathan, geneva

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:59 GMT 12:59 UK

"...What does the court know about her, strenghts and or weaknesses favourate food,colour etc? I hope the girl sues them when she is older for denying her this opportunity.

Mrs tanaka Bolton-Grant, Coimbra Portugal"

Perhaps if Laura survives this trip and one day comes to her senses, she may decide to sue her parents for denying her the opportunity to mix with other teenagers at a crucial age, as well as missing so much education that she cannot go to university or get a job.

[SaxonHero], Lancashire, England

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:59 GMT 12:59 UK

I'm struck by the ignorance in some comments.
1) The North Sea is the most dangerous with the most ship wrecks in the world.
2) Laura did not cross the Channel but the North Sea from Scheveningen to Lowestoft (about 120 nm)
3) Laura used her own, rather than her parent's boat.
3) Smallest gap of any ocean is 1,538 nm (Sierra Leone-Brazil), out of range to any existing "rescue" helicopter.
4) Being an adult does not guarantee a safe trip: Remember Fastnet 1979.

Dutchman, Kings Lynn

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:54 GMT 12:54 UK

I believe 13 is much too young. Why is there such a rush to force adulthood onto children? I don't know the answer, but I suspect it is a parent or parents who want to live vicariously through their children. Parents have always wanted that to some extent but we're living in an age of instant fame and possible monetary gains. I read a book on Darwin when I was a child around 1963 and wanted to visit these mysterious Galapagos Isles, made it 25 yrs later and was awe-struck.
Thank You.

Charles Kramer, Timaru, New Zealand

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:49 GMT 12:49 UK

Let's turn this around for a moment.

Let's say that this CHILD had been allowed to set off on her own and was forever lost at sea. How many would be asking the question "Why didn't someone stop them?".

In my opinion, a child of 13 is not sufficiently developed mentally, physically or psychologically to undertake such an endeavor entirely alone.

I would only support the parents if the child were accompanied by another experienced sailor.

B Williams

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:48 GMT 12:48 UK

I'm not a mariner and know nothing about this girl's experience and aptitude. Like getting the consent of two doctors independently, couldn't the same be done with two independent expert mariners, who don't know the girl personally, to assess whether or not she's up to the challenge.?

Mike, Hong Kong

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:44 GMT 12:44 UK

Good old days in asia 13 years were considered matured enough to marry and bear children,that could be one reason in india the population exploded with more people needed for farm and so on.Just because marriageable age is raised to 16 does not mean there arent exceptional girls with blessed skills of adults learned from young as 6 ,like me from age of 5 ,when i surprised a world gaatheing of water and environmental experts by saying ,from my 45 year of exposure to water engineering , in 2001.

Vijay K Pillai, UK

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:41 GMT 12:41 UK

The state has absolutely done the right thing. Parents have the right to look after the best interests of their kids. They hold the right to stop them from making silly mistakes or putting themselves in danger. They do NOT however have the right to put a child diectly in danger!!

People saying "omg shes a person" Need to grow up, adults are there to protect children by making decisions the child may not like. My kid doesn't like her greensbut you know what, she bloody eats em!

Tony

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:40 GMT 12:40 UK

As a matter of interest, how much is the insurance for sailing solo around the world?

(I take it these people DO insure against the cost of needing to be rescued...)

[Ralph124C41plus], London

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:37 GMT 12:37 UK

13 year old boy can be a father, 15 year old lady can be a mother? But they are stopped form sailing around the world...
If they are so young to take care of themselved alone, how they can take care of new life brought into the world.
There should be law for stoping them from this too...

Sherry Shamsi, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:36 GMT 12:36 UK

It depends on the person. I would never feel up to sailing around the world single-handed other people differ. It is reasonable to allow time to assess whether her decision is her own and whether she is competent; But, Nanny should allow her to do the trip if she is fit!

[UMPath]

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:32 GMT 12:32 UK

1. State ownership of our lives, and property, is a fact, whether we want it or admit it, or not. Suicide is illegal (at least in the US) and property is basically on loan from the state on terms of good behavior. Hopefully we have a constitution to limit state power in some respects.
2. Sending a 13-yr old girl to sea on solo is tantamount to a death sentence. A 17 yr old boy is physically a man. The physical challenges of the journey make it a dubious undertaking. The state was right.

john doba, houston tx

Added: Sunday, 30 August, 2009, 11:31 GMT 12:31 UK

I am more concerned with the fact that she has now been removed from parental custody rights.Is she old enough to make the journey? yes. Is she mature enough? possibly. Should she be alllowed to do it? possibly.All these issues depend on other relative factors, i.e. maturity, experience,knowledge,support systems,mental abilities in stressful times, physical abilities when stressed or challenged, emotional abilities and capabilities to cope.All these factors need consideration and not just age.

Beth, South Shields