Rescued sailor Abby Sunderland steams homeward

Exhausted but relieved, Abby Sunderland’s parents on Saturday morning thanked maritime agencies on three continents and the countless well-wishers who were rooting for their 16-year-old daughter’s rescue from her disabled yacht deep in the Indian Ocean.

"We had a great answer to our prayers today," Laurence Sunderland told reporters outside the family’s Thousand Oaks home. "We are obviously relieved."

A French fishing vessel called Ile de la Reunion plucked Abby from her damaged 40-foot sailboat, Wild Eyes, early Saturday morning. From the rescue craft, Abby spoke with her family just after 3 a.m. The conversation lasted about 20 minutes.

"She was tired and her voice was a bit smaller," said her mother, Marianne Sunderland. Still, the girl who saw her dream of a solo, round-the-world trip thwarted by wild seas, mustered enough humor to make a few jokes. Her mother is pregnant and due to deliver a baby boy in about two weeks, and Abby lightheartedly said she was "sorry for stressing out Charlie," as her brother-to-be has been informally known.

On a blog posting from the French craft, Abby wrote: "The long and short of it is, well, one long wave and one short mast (short meaning two-inch stub). …Crazy is the word that really describes everything that has happened best.’’

Waves about 25 feet high snapped the carbon-fiber mast of Wild Eyes on Thursday. Abby triggered a couple of emergency signals and was spotted by observers from an Australian jet about 20 hours later.

Her father said he believed Abby was uninjured except for a few bruises. In eight to 10 days, she’ll reach the French possession of Reunion, an island off the African coast. On the way, the fishing vessel will stop at the Kerguelen islands, where Abby will transfer to a larger craft. The Sunderlands were not certain just when Abby would arrive back in Thousand Oaks.

Again on Saturday, the Sunderlands defended themselves against accusations that they had negligently allowed their daughter to risk her life.

"It wasn’t a flippant decision," said Laurence Sunderland, adding that his daughter had spent half her life on the water and was delivering yachts solo at the age of 13. He said he made a few efforts to dissuade her, including showing her the rough seas around Point Concepcion. And he kept her from pursuing her dream until she was 16 – a few years after she had become taken with the idea of becoming the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

For a time, her older brother Zac held the title, circling the globe at 17 in 2009 — six months before Abby cast off from Marina del Rey on Jan. 23.

On the phone after her rescue, Abby told a close friend who was with the family that she’d made a major decision about another challenge. The teen, who along with her six siblings is home-schooled, spoke about a mock-trial competition coming up after her return. She's rounded Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope before a harrowing adventure in one of the remotest spots on earth, but Abby says as for the mock trial, she'll sit that one out.

-- Steve Chawkins

Photo: Abby Sunderland sits aboard her boat, Wild Eyes, in December, before attempting to sail solo around the globe. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Kathy]

Note that Abby, in her blog, did not say thank you to anyone not even to the French boat capatain he whines about having to use a french keyboard and losing the boat! But she is very excited about all the media calls that are reaching her on the boat. I rest my case about the maturity of this teen and the real goals of her and her family during this selfish stunt.

[Crazysailr]

To Abby and the rest of the Sunderland family and support team: Don't let the majority of the people's outrage of your bold endeavor get you down. Just continue to let the criticism roll off your foul weather gear like rain. Those who think this effort was any form child endangerment are as clueless as frightened mice. Abby's efforts were noble and well conceived, and while ultimately she did not succeed in her first attempt to go around alone, I for one sincerely hope this will not be her last attempt. She is an inspiration to many and I wish her bon voyage on whatever her next adventure in this crazy thing we call life may be!

[William S.]

Where is the State of California? Why have they not ordered the removal of this child from the supervision of her irresponsible parents, whose consent to the girl’s conduct has demonstrated depraved indifference to her life, and almost resulted in her death? What is going on?

[J Gord]

When will the Sunderland family be issuing checks to cover the cost of rescue efforts? Abby Sunderland would have basked in the glow if she had accomplished her goal so will she and her family now accept responsbility for the efforts of others?

[Theresa Santoro]

Thank you poster Kathy for pointing out the blog entry. Not one note of thanks, but instead a combative snarky post. I hope this child takes the time she has on the fishing boat, to dig deep, and consider the amount of time and money that went in to her rescue. Not to mention the legions of people praying for her safety.

[rhodesunit]

What a sad bunch, the More-About-Us family.
With their money and religion maybe they can think about doing something positive for other people for a change.
Starting with her saying thanks!
Then they can pay the Aussies, French, U.S. Coast Guard, etc. for the rescue effort.
As for this child's next stunt, err, "challenge," I won't be paying attention.

[Bob]

What happened to "wild eyes?" Is it being towed or has it been abandoned?

[cartoon nootrac]

I believe that Abby Sunderland’s parents should be held in jail for child endangerment. A parent that leaves their child at home so that they can hold a job to support their family is a "bad parent" when that child does something horrible because they were left unsupervised. CPS will step in and there will be an investigation as to the fitness of said parent. But because its the over privileged that is in question here, its a story of triumph and overcoming the odds. I say the next time some rich idiot decides to get his/herself lost at sea, the desert, mountainous regions, etc. should be allowed to get themselves out of the mess they got themselves into. How much tax dollars did this spend? Are the Sunderland’s going to reimburse the French government and others who wasted their time in rescuing of this child? This story seems to me as a "lets feel sorry for another over privileged white girl" So instead of a story about a great event it should be a story of a poor underage girl who was endangered by her parents influence, money, and stupidity. There's nothing noble about what has happened here.

[Margaret duChene]

I'm sorry, but I think it irresponsible of the parents to allow such a thing. How much experience can a 16 year old have under her belt for a difficult trip like that! Teens are adventurous and that's a good thing, but there has to be a limit!

Plus, the rescue must have cost thousands - are the parents going to pay for that or is the US responsible to reimburse the French?

[Parent]

crazysailr: Your name fits! Sorry but what RESPONSIBLE guardian allows and encourages a minor to partake in such a dangerous act? This is parents living out their adolescent fantasies through their child the child's welfare be damned! I bet daddy always wanted to be a pirate!

You seem to forget that she is 16 and sailing SOLO, whats next a fifth of Jack Daniels, A Ferrari and the PCH at midnight? She is a very responsible girl, I am sure she would be ok!

Also who is paying for the rescue and the recovery of her boat?

[Jerry Amos]

She's proven she has the skills and had the equipment. From time to time the ocean sinks even supertankers. I wonder if the rush to sail at a younger age prompted a voyage in a poor season for that hazardous stretch of ocean. Over the years single handed sails around the world have resulted in casualties even with very experienced sailors, and she knew the history.

[AmericaReal]

I was reading the comments on her blog, and there were hundreds of posts congratulating her for her effort. I didn't see a single one critical of her or her family. Curious... maybe there is some selective editing going on there..?

[db4whisk]

The real hero of this story...

"The rescue operation was tricky, as expected, as seas remained large and shifting when the large fishing boat arrived. The pickup was by a crew in a smaller boat and at one point its captain fell overboard and "was fished out in difficult conditions," said a statement from French authorities." (source: YAHOO!Sports)

[Vivien]

That is bravery, true bravery ... yes, it's narcissistic but the people who show the best in us always have flaws. She's 16 and she tried to sail around the world. She hit rough seas like any sailor and was rescued. That's the duty anyone on the water has to anyone else.

It is always easy to criticize from the comforts of our living rooms. But this kind of grit ... that's something to be nurtured and guided by the whole community to be coupled with grace, maturity, and courtesy. We can help with that by remembering she's still a child and chiding, not yelling.

Just wow.

[Sallie Mae Stewart]

The reality is that, as it has been for eons and how even with laws, it is now -
the majority of childen survive on their own.
It is a privledge for parents to be able to watch over their children....the laws dont pertain to protecting probably 80% of the children in the world.
I grew up taking care of my parents.
I know first hand the reality of most children
This young women sailing around the world is a human at large endevour.

I suggest you do something about the children and families who want your help ratrther than spending time on this family.
I suggest you do something locally with the poor children who come to the US as slaves and blow their leafblowers for your clean lawn. Do something about the real issues of child endangerment. The endagerment that happens everyday under your nose to get things cheaper prettier and faster for your american appetite.
As to the monies put out to save a life.....the taxpayers monies covering Michale Jacksons funeral which could have fed the homeless....that is negligent yet americans are so sick with celebrity, teaching children all the wrong values it has been swept under the rug.
If you want to condemn a family condemn us all
Yourself included
We are all in this together

[A Father]

Thank God she is safe. to all the pessimistic drones who inhabit our country, I can only say I wish I could be her. To live a dream in success or failure is to really live. My son heard Zac Sunderland speak at Summer Camp last year he inspired him to think and dream beyond himself. I thank God that some of us remember the spirit of manifest destiny.

[Rusty Early]

Hopefully Abby will be met by Child Protective Services when she returns to California and she and her siblings will be removed from what is clearly a dangerous home environment. And then the sheriff needs to pop 'round and arrest the parents for child abuse.

What these fame and fortune hunting parents did with Abby is no different than what balloon boy Falcon Heene's parents did with him: exploit the child for their own sick pursuit of fame. Only Abby's parents, instead of hiding her in an attic, actually put Abby in harm's way. DISGUSTING. Do not give these monsters any more positive attention.

[giley1]

A good case of parents trying to be buddies with their children instead of having tough love and doing their best to protect their children until they're matured. Maturity comes with having lived long enough to expeirence situations and making sound judgements A 16 year old has not developed enough to make hard desicions. While having devevloped sailing skills in her early childhood days, I think her survival is mostly due to the well equipted boat and the back up systems along with some good luck. It seems to be all about noreriaty and fame.

[A L Wilber]

I'll just say this...the next time she sets out, and I believe she will (especially after all the publicity and endorsement deals this failed attempt will generate), should she suffer a similar or worse fate, don't dare look in my direction for empathy or compassion. There will be none. And, for all of you idiots and morons out there who want to bash on me for what I am saying, let me tell you this: I have been around the world, I have served my country, I have been an aviator, and a sailor, I have been through two wars and a few conflicts, I am well-educated, and I know how dangerous this old world can be. I would never allow my 16-year old kid to try this "stunt" until they were cognitively capable of making that decision. There is a huge difference between the cognitive capacity of a sixteen year old, compared to and eighteen or nineteen year old. Thats why sixteen year old kids aren't allowed to serve in the military, or be drafted, or vote, or drink. Anyone who wants to stifle those who wish to advocate on behalf of common sense is welcome to buy a 40' sailboat, gear up and try this on their own, if they want to. This girl is lucky she has some experience in sailing. Having experience in thwarting pirates and and other purveyors of ill-will is another story. This story could just as easily have had a different, if not sinister outcome; then what would all the idiots and morons be saying? yeah, that's what I thought...

[Belverly Nalls-Demar]

I am very proud of any young person who has dreams and the nerve to live her dream. I support the parents who support their children in reaching for the stars. The young sailor has nothing to feel bad about nor do her parents. If you want something, go after it. She is so much more advanced than many of her peers, some of who are flirting with much more dangerous things...drugs. alcohol, gangs, skipping school for a rave party, must I go on? Did you hear that young people are at the forefront of herion use in one of our upstanding L.A. County cities. She could have been doing so much worse. You go Abby!

[Tom]

Of course, it is important to note that a 25 foot wave would NEVER have cracked the composite mast of that boat if the person sailing it were a couple years older. Because AGE is how waves roll... they look for someone young and try to mess with their mind. Especially if the person is a 16 year old, and a female, no less, and a person who has more sailing skills that most sailors 3 times her age. Damn those waves and their always picking on younger, expert sailors.

[Joe]

i'm going to see if my teen can break the world record for how many times someone can get bitten by a poisonous snake and still live... or may not.

someone try to explain to be how this is any different than balloon boy? and don't give me that "she wanted to do it garbage". she's a minor!

[Rubicon]

It doesn't matter if she's 2, 40, or 100 years old. This stunt is rash and selfish no matter the age. Sailing around the world to arrive back where you started serves absolutely nothing for the good of humanity--all it does is give publicity to some fame whores willing to risk other people's lives if they get into trouble. Abby and her parents deserve all the criticism they are getting.

On an unrelated note (or not), the baby in the mother's stomach will be the parents' EIGHTH CHILD. This fact alone proves how sick these people are, if nothing else.

[Laura]

She can go around the GLOBE next time ON HER OWN RESCUE DIME, not mine! I've had it with spoiled brats who think we "owe" them something. This is outrageous! If this little so and so AND her parents were having to foot the bill for her "fulfillment", then NOBODY would care. I know I could care less. And, THAT is the issue. So, I say if someone is under 18, the PARENTS PAY. If they are over the age of 18 and pull a foolish stunt like this which is HIGH RISK.....then, THEY PAY, and we can garnish their wages for life!!

Oh, noooooooooo, but THESE SELF-AGGRANDIZING peope don't want that, no, no, no. They *expect* taxpayers to foot their bills for these daredevil activities. Not one EXPERT SAILOR that I read since this whole thing began ever agreed that she should have made this trip in the Indian Ocean during this stormy wintry season in the first place. THAT alone was FOOLHARDY.

But, dear Abby, little Miss Abby, who can't even say thank-you to the French Captain who risked his life for her, can just stick it as far as I am concerned, she and her family's self-righteous attitude. I know one thing. If her dad had to risk his family business for such a stunt, it would have been a cold day in hell before he would have encouraged Miss Abby to "fulfill" her "dream".

[joburgjen]

@ Rusty Early - Regarding your totally correct comment. That's exactly what went though my mind. The Heene family.
Shame on the Sunderlands. Outrageous.