Search for Abby Sunderland launched after teen sailor loses contact with family amid storm

Searchers are trying to find teen sailor Abby Sunderland, a 16-year-old from Thousand Oaks who sailed into a storm in the Southern Indian Ocean and lost contact with her family.

Sunderland apparently signaled emergency beacon locating devices on Thursday after losing contact over satellite phone with her family.

Sunderland had set sail on her 40-foot, orange-and-yellow racing yacht, named “Wild Eyes,” in January. The timing of her departure was criticized by some sailors because it would have brought her to the middle of the Indian Ocean at the onset of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter storm season. This was considered the most challenging part of her journey.

In April, Sunderland sailed around Cape Horn between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Sunderland’s latest entry on her blog Wednesday described hitting rough weather and winds at 45 knots. “Wild Eyes was great through everything, but after a day with over 50 knots at times, I had quite a bit of work to do,” she wrote.

Her parents have said in news reports that they had persuaded Abby to get to the nearest port in the event that dangerous conditions arose. 

"Everything seemed to be under control," Abby's father, Laurence Sunderland, told outdoor sports blogger Pete Thomas. "But then our call dropped, and an hour later the Coast Guard called."

Sunderland, whose older brother, Zac, sailed solo around the world in 13 months while making several stops, left Marina del Rey on Jan. 23.

-- My-Thuan Tran in Los Angeles, Catherine Saillant in Thousand Oaks

Photo: Abby Sunderland in Cape Town, South Africa, where she had stopped for repairs to her vessel, Wild Eyes. Credit: Jeff Ayliffe

More coverage: The Times' Outpost blog.

Comments

[patrick]

when I see these things I just have to wonder what is the deal with the parents. I was barely allowed out past ten o'clock at this girls age, and she is sailing around the world, through rough weather, pirates at sea etc etc, and everything is going to be fine? Please, this is no surprise that this happened, and they will be lucky to find the girl now!

[DP]

I cant believe parents would let a 16 year old girl
try to sail around the world, they have to be off their rocker for sure.

[dombrm]

As much as I despise TJ Simers, his articles regarding this situation were sadly on the mark.

[parker]

The parents said she was experienced and could make the trip alone. Hopefully she is ok but i am sorry this once again points to irresponsible parenting. A grownup should not make this trek alone let alone a teen.

[sophie]

I'm presuming they anticipated this. Glad the Coast Guard has nothing better to do than indulge spoiled teens in their personal quests for glory.

[Parent]

I pray that she is okay and returns safely. Her parents should be arrested for reckless endangerment of a minor.

[American Citizen]

Send the bill for the rescue to the parents.

[Louis Flores]

Forget your petty personal problems, this girl is in deep trouble. Please pray for her safety. ben

[Omar]

All you angry people blaming the parents are stupid!!! Abby is an ambitious person with a goal that most many would not dare to try. Cheers to Abby's parents to muster up the strength to allow one of their children to try an concur a great yet dangerous accomplishment. I my sell am a parent of a 14 year old daughter but I wound have the strength to let her try something as brave and heroic as Abby so cheers to you Parents.

People stop hating on the parents and start praying that Abby is okay!

[las vegas comments]

Omar, How exactly is she heroic? What she is doing is a stunt, and the commenter before is correct in saying that the rescue bill should be sent to her parents. I hope everything turns out ok, but shame on her parents for letting her do this.

[Tarzana Jane]

Child endangerment. Self absorbed ego-centric fame seeking parents put their daughter at a high level risk for publicity, may have lost the daughter. They must be presented with the bill to send expensive coast guard ships and manpower resources to try and save her, if they can find this tiny sail boat. A horrible disaster waiting to happen. Some say take the thrilling risk, however do so and don't expect to be bailed out at our tax payers expense, foolish risk, you get the bill for search and rescue. We'll still hope and pray for the best, :"REALITY"..... this was a life threatening awfully dumb stunt that should NOT have been undertaken by a lone juvenile, her brain has not even fully formed as an adult yet.

[Ryu]

What is life without challenge? You people who only know how to blame others, probably never even contribute anything to the society. Firstly, we should all pray for her safety! Secondly, if they is a bill to pay... I believe it's all covered! Thirdly, the world is revolving around us, someone just have to break the record to let the world (in this case your little world) know that "hey, if she can do it, I can!". This is an inspiration that at the end of the journey will touch many of our hearts, no matter whether something went wrong or not. Better than many of us who will only keep to our self and worry about the danger, instead of facing and doing our best to overcome the danger. Without these inspiration, our world will stop revolving, and become stagnant. No new challenger, no new scientists, no new inventions, no new ideas, and at the end of the day, our world will crumble just like 2012! Think twice before you put in a nasty comments, many people are reading this around the world. Not just your self in the little town or city of yours.

[Acasia]

Brave? Heroic? No, if she wanted to be brave she will became a firfighter.

This is simply stupidity.