Girl, 14, poised for round-the-world sailing bid

A 14-year-old Dutch girl will set off tomorrow on a year-long attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Laura Dekker’s ambitions have fuelled a global debate over the wisdom of allowing young sailors to take on the high seas alone

A court last month released her from the guardianship of Dutch child protection agencies who had tried to block her voyage because of fears about her safety and psychological health.

Manager Peter Klarenbeek said Laura would leave from the southern Portuguese port of Portimao on her 38-foot yacht Guppy.

“We are testing equipment now and I can’t give a departure time, but it will be obvious when she leaves, we’ll be on the dockside to say goodbye,” said Klarenbeek.

Marijke Schaaphok, one of the directors of Masmedia, a company filming the trip with remote cameras, said Laura was very mature for her age.

“She grew up with her father on a boat so she’s completely different from a normal 14-year-old girl. She’s very wise and a little bit impatient, but she’s a very nice girl and she knows exactly what she wants.”

Schaaphok said the first port of call will be Spain’s Canary Islands or Portugal’s Madeira, depending on the winds. She said Laura chose Portugal to start for logistical reasons.

“It seems to be easier to end there. The part from Portugal going back to Holland is not easy or quick so she decided to start there and end there as well,” she said. “It has everything to do with the wind and the route.”

Laura has been working to counter objections to her voyage since the authorities stepped in last year. She got a bigger, sturdier boat, took courses in first aid and practised coping with sleep deprivation. She also made at least one solo trip across the North Sea to England.

The Dutch court ruled that her preparations were adequate and it was up to her parents, who are divorced, to decide whether to let her make the attempt.

In June, American Abby Sunderland, 16 had to be rescued in a remote section of the Indian Ocean during an attempt to circle the globe. Earlier this year, Australian Jessica Watson, completed a 210-day voyage aged 16.

But while Watson remained at sea non-stop, Laura plans to stop at dozens of ports and may even return home to catch up on her studies before resuming her trip.

If she completes the voyage, any record she claims would be unofficial and likely to be challenged.

The Guinness’ World Records and the World Sailing Speed Record Council have decided they will no longer recognise records for “youngest” sailors to avoid encouraging dangerous attempts.