Reporter who sailed with Abby Sunderland says child protective services visited her before she departed

Outdoor blogger Pete Thomas, a former Los Angeles Times reporter, weighed in on the controversy surrounding 16-year-old Abby Sunderland, offering unique insight into her quest to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world and the role her family played in those dreams.

Thomas said a representative from child protective services interviewed Abby Sunderland for nearly two hours before she departed from Marina del Rey.

"The interview was to make sure the high school junior was not being coerced into making this voyage," Thomas wrote. He said Abby's mother, Marianne Sunderland, told him this in the weeks after the young sailor set off.

Thomas, who has interviewed the Sunderlands numerous times, even joined them on a 17-hour overnight trip to deliver Wild Eyes to San Diego from Ensenada, Mexico.

Charges of child endangerment could be leveled at any parents encouraging children in high-risk sports, Thomas said.

Sid Wing, a Sunderland family friend, told Thomas that the Sunderland children were raised to be achievers who pursue their dreams.

"I personally applaud how they are preparing their children for success in this world of overabundant naysayers and failure-avoiders. They demonstrate that nothing is achieved without risk, and the greater the achievement there is, no doubt, the greatest risk. Did Abby and her parents know there was danger involved in her quest? Yes, but they were consistent with their principles. She and the boat were definitely properly prepared. The Sunderlands did not carelessly endanger their daughter as many suggest," Wing said.

Thomas said the Sunderland parents have had a falling out with the people involved in documenting both Abby's voyage and that of her brother Zac. "Either the Sunderlands are difficult to work with or they align themselves with the wrong kind of people, who expect too large a share of any proceeds," Thomas wrote on his blog. "I have not figured this one out."

Thomas said he agreed with critics who have suggested that the timing of Abby's trip would send her into colder, more extreme conditions in the Indian Ocean. When Wild Eyes rolled and lost its mast, it may have been a blessing, Thomas wrote, "because the storms Abby was sure to encounter as she sailed closer to Australia could have been deadly."

Still, Thomas said he expects she will keep trying:

"I have no doubt that Abby will eventually sail around the world or take part in some great sailing adventure. Mother Nature knocked her down and out -- literally and figuratively -- but this will inspire a fiercely determined mariner to try again at some point in her life."

-- Kimi Yoshino

Comments

[jay]

To all the nay sayers; how quickly we forget that just three decades ago we sent hundreds of thousands of 18 and 19 year olds into combat when they could not vote or drink.

As nutty as it seems, put it a historical perspective, for today we have created the do nothing, world owes me, generation.

Are you really proud of our youth today??

Jay

[pat]

Those child protective people have a helluva lot of nerve - too bad the girl didn't shove the invasive idiot interviewer into the water. I find it outrageous they had to show their faces to interview her for two hours. Of course while they have plenty of time to do this stupidity, just think of all the real "abuse" cases out there that they NEVER bother to check out well.

Pretty poor allotment of your resources, no? Geez.

[Lynnie]

Did Mr. Thomas (or any of the many reporters who are now picking up this story) bother to check with child protective services to confirm this meeting did indeed happen? Or should we just take the word of the Sunderland parents, as stated above? Since they haven't been particularly consistent in their facts - and they don't seem to be too happy with the "child endangerment" tag now attached to them - I'd certainly want independent confirmation before I believe it.

[Ill Eagle]

Jay: you cannot count...she's 16, not 18/19. I guess you can't read either!

[Jimmy Carter]

great job Abby hang in there! The doubting thomas will always be there

[Biggles]

True Jay. Now we spoiled little girls in yachts risking not only her life but the lives of others, all in the name of fame. Who cares that the captain of the French fishing boat was washed into the sea while trying to save Abby and had to be saved himself. And who cares that the rescue operation cost over $300,000, and the Sunderland family has already said they won't contribute one red cent.

But hey, her father got lots of sponsorship money out of the deal and he almost got a reality show! Don't worry though, now you can cheer for New Zealand-born Laura Dekker. She's only 14 and is currently fighting the courts to let her try the same stunt. No problem right? I mean if 16 is not too young to sail around the world, surely 14 isn't either.

[rjc116]

If you read her father's website you can understand that this family is totally focused on boats and sailing. It's how the father makes a living and is obviously his passion. Not surprising that his children would be doing this sort of thing as children tend to want to please their parents.

[sunny]

And CPS thought this was ok? That agent should be fired. And Sailor Girl's parents should be horse-whipped, they're lucky the pirates that run the Indian Ocean & elsewhere didn't find their young, blonde, white daughter. I've been sailing all my life too but wouldn't risk my life out there like this girl was forced to do by her father... all for MONEY so he doesn't have to get a job. Wow.

[K.E.]

"Sid Wing, a Sunderland family friend, told Thomas that the Sunderland children were raised to be achievers who pursue their dreams."

Operative phrase here: "family friend." Hardly objective reporting there.

So great, she's going to do it again.

Is she going to get a more suitable boat this time, and schedule her trip to avoid winter storms?

And is she going to take responsibility this time, and take out extreme sport rescue insurance, or is the world supposed to stop again, and spend millions of dollars to rescue her, if she strands herself a second time?

I applaud the good samaritan attitude the rescuers showed - but Abby was foolhardy to do what she did, and a second round of the same would just be completely thoughtless, pointlessly endangering the lives of the rescuers.

Can you tell I won't be tuning in to her reality show? I've risked my own life adventuring enough times to know - it ain't worth it.

[vic keller]

Gosh! I want to say so much, but I’m sure it would be taken as just rambling on!
Not all 16 year olds are the same. Not all 30 year olds are the same: you get my drift.
Citizen is nothing new....Remember the Dove??...Robin Lee Graham (he was 16). Same stuff as today and I was in the 5th grade when I started reading it in National Geographic. It inspired me to no end. That was 1963, the year that President Kennedy was shot. Because of hard times in my family (my father also died in 63) in 1968 I quit school and joined the Merchant Marines; I was 16 by one day! People said the same type of things about my mother that they are saying about Mr. Sunderland. People, my Mom thought I could handle it. My Mom, brother and I were living on 215.00 a month from Social Security. I added to all three of our incomes by going to sea. I ended up going to college, and today at 57, I'm glad I did what I did. Guess what, I own a sail boat today and I would leave tomorrow to sail around the world if my employment would allow it. I believe that Abby Sunderland is more competent for that task than I am today (and yes I’ve been on the ocean most of my life..Navy, etc.). If they rescued me in the Indian Ocean....most people would say, isn’t he glad that we have a system that saved his life. There is so much more to say, but I'm proud of her and I'm glad Abby and Zach have parents that believe and have faith in their children. A lot of effort went into the preparations of this journey. Much more than some parents do for their kids today…think about it! If you really think about it, some 16 year olds would do a lot better for this country in Washington than some of the idiots we have there now. Kids are the future, Teach your children well!
Vic Keller-Argyle, TX

[nannystate]

heaven forbid that a teenager might not conform to the sedated, bureaucratized herd. I grew up in an adventurous and nomadic family and we suffered similar prejudice from such nosy busybodies, jealously guarding their beige lives.

[Gen67]

Sunny, why would there be pirates in a part of the Indian Ocean where nobody goes...what's the payoff? Try to think before you write, it improves your chances of being taken seriously.

[Gen67]

Ill Eagle, Sunny, and K.E. all represent the decline of the American spirit. The new mantra is: "If you never try, you can't fail!". I grieve for my country.

[lbgrrl]

Great--DCFS can investigate the Sunderlands but when I, as a social worker, call in a child abuse report little if anything ever happens! I have had kids where I would stake my paycheck on the fact that they are being abused--yet, the report always comes back "unfounded" and the case is closed. Why would DCFS waste time on the Sunderlands? Could it be because they want some good publicity (Look! We ARE on top of dangerous child predators!)? Kudos to the Sunderlands for raising a child that has the guts to pursue her dreams and boo to this nanny state for getting in their business.

[ralphm]

It's sad to read so much criticism against this courageous young lady. Even sadder, coming from a bunch of self indulgent critics who probably can't move off their couch except to get more potato chips. The spirit of adventure is to be commended not negated. Don't give me that crap about a 16 year old alone on the ocean. How about 16 year olds who survived in the wilds of this country's birth? That had to go out and fight with real guns live in the harsh climates of the West without the comfys that couch potatoe adventurers sourround themselves with.

Go ahead with all the reality shows, book deals and movies that come your way. You have earned this unlike the nay sayers who would not know an adventure if it hit them in the face.... What wonderful stories you will have in your mature years to relate to your grandchildren and how you will be admired by them for the great accomplishment you have already put in your personal history book. You are an inspiration to all of us who are not caught in the morass of our own greed, jealousy and stupidity.

Abby, don't let these jealous self indulgent criticizers squelch your spirit... of adventure.... continue to seek the joys that the Earth puts at your fingertips.

[Tim]

It is a sad state when a country loses it's adventurous spirit. American was created from adventure from the landing at Plymouth Rock to walking on the on the moon. What have we done as a country since 1969 when it comes to discovery, very little. As we have advanced in technology we have become lazy and unadventurous - Why risk life or limb or finances when you can design a video game and risk nothing but still climb a mountain, sail a ocean, race a car or fight a battle all without ever leaving our easy chairs or living rooms? This is how we have raised two complete generations and we're working on the third. Politics aren't destroying our nation; laziness and the need for immediate gratification without risk is destroying our way of life. We need the inspiration of families like the Sunderlands and individuals like Abby and Zac. It shows there is still hope for the future.

God speed to them and all like them and may they have a fair wind at their beam and a following sea into the future--and maybe we can follow their lead.

[Pizzedoff]

What a useless, snide comment against @ Posted by: jay. You are truly "Ill Eagle"... MENTALLY! Is it too much to ask that you restrain yourself from infecting your own failings and inadequacies onto those of us who regard personal challenge, at ANY AGE as a measure of maturity and achievement?
This goes for the rest of you who fuel the pending pathetic future of the hapless, hopeless and incapable youth of tomorrow.
It’s such a privilege, joy and entertainment to be witnessing this present demise of a once respectable civilization. Lots a’ luck losers!

[Jolie]

Maybe all of the people who think this was such a wonderful idea could contribute to a fund to reimburse the Australian taxpayers who are footing the bill to rescue Abigail Sunderland from her daring adventure where seasoned sailors fear to go.

Most people don't like to be forced to pay for another person's responsibilities, particularly when the circumstance could have and should have been avoided.

If the Sunderlands don't think $300,000 is such a big deal for the Aussies to pay, how about the Sunderlands coming up with a payment plan to reimburse the Australians over the next 30 years. Not fair! they say? Plenty fair, I say. You play; you pay. You make a mess. You clean it up. Don't expect others to foot the bill for this. Freedom and responsibility are intertwined.

[loteklenny]

I wonder how this issue would have been handled if Abby was killed or kidnapped on this voyage. Too much risk in the name of accomplishment.

[Dr. ML]

Most all of the posters have no experience with the open ocean but can sit and say good for Abby & her parents. I have been in conditions like that which caught her and can tell you she was very, very lucky - even the captain of the French boat was knocked overboard during her rescue - hello?

A wave snaps her mast and leaves her dead in the water, you have no idea how scary that is, leaving you completely at the mercy of the ocean getting hammered.

This was so dangerous & poorly planned - winter in the Indian Ocean, that I cannot believe the Sunderland's keep up their stupid public defense of that bad choice.

My kids too grew up on the water with a lifelong waterman dad - me but I would NEVER, EVER consider my CHILD for such a trip - I've seen the interviews with Abby and my kids are far more on the ball.

The Sunderland's are a disgrace.

[Machen Vidot]

Try what? Something that has been done 10,000 times before? Try to cash in on the big bucks because you have a sixteen year old daughter because your sixteen-year-old son only held the "record" for a couple of months? Go back in the news. Zac Sunderland was pimped out all over the media, and when the Brit took him down, the offers ceased. This is nothing but about the cash--it is not about money, not about the adventure. Sounds very American. That's what you should be grieving about.

[Jay]

Like Sunny I've sailed all my life and not only in these pansy waters, but grew up off the North Atlantic coast. That said I would not have embarked on that trip, I haven't the courage or determination to try the roaring forties. Though about it once with a friend then saw a movie about rough weather sailing-that closed the deal for me.

I wouldn't send my daughter off on that trip, but I wouldn't pass judgement on this girl. She's got guts, maybe a little foolish, but she's got guts.

I was troubled by the fact she'd never blue water sailed or even spent all night sailing. Nonetheless ----------Go girl.

Jay

[ThomasPaine2010]

So, let me see if I have got this straight Gen67, I can support my daughter's decision to go whitewater rafting in Class 5 rapids, and thats okay. I can fully support my son's quest to climb El Capitan in Yosemite, and that's okay. I can even see (slightly) his rationale for wanting to bungee jump off the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. But, if I don't support and have deep reservations about letting my 16 year old daughter sail around the world, I've somehow helped with the declination of American Spirit? Puh-leaze!!! Some people should just shut their pie holes before a bee flies in the shut it for them.

[Joe Mama Bush]

When children can do things that are considered unsafe. They may fall and injure them selves. You learn how to fall and get up. You may have the wind knocked out of your child. But it only makes them tougher. With the current day. Do not climb, jump, or ride a bike off of a ramp, sail a boat. You can get hurt. It endangers the child. Continue this trend beware of the out come.
We may produce a weaker generation of future adults. That could lead to our military to become soft. Then our country will have been taken over by no invading army. An estrogen empire has already taken the school system in the wrong direction. Girls achieve in studies better then boys. Only for the reason that women write the course study.

[Joe Mama Bush]

She takes the image of a tom boy style. Now before my comment is misconstrued. GO girl sail again. All others.
Quit over protecting your kids.