Comments on: The Abby Sunderland Saga Takes A Twist

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:10:25 +0000

I have no problem with people (of any age) attempting to do daring things like climb the highest mountain or sail around the the world, PROVIDED they take full responsibility for their actions. That includes preparing for rescue or salvage of boats. That can be obtained through sponsors or insurance. This burden should not fall on ordinary taxpayers (in whichever country), as there are more priorities in life than these daring attempts (otherwise we all would be doing that!).

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:42:49 +0000

It was actually just outside Australia’s search and rescue zone (according to the Aust. Maritime Safety Authority), but y’know, I’m Australian & I have no problem with Australia Govt organising her rescue. If Jessica Watson had been stranded somewhere, we would hope that some other country would’ve done the same for her. What I do have a problem with is her parents saying, “thankyou, and we can’t pay you back, but we will raise money to rescue the boat”. No thought of trying to raise money to pay us back. They’ve taken for granted the enormous cost & effort we’ve put into her rescue. And the French boats. Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent. Just appalling.

By: Top Ten At Eye On Annapolis | Eye On Annapolis

Top Ten At Eye On Annapolis | Eye On Annapolis — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:53:56 +0000

[...] 1. The Abby Sunderland Saga Takes A New Twist [...]

By: EOA Staff

EOA Staff — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:18:06 +0000

I am sure the event was NOT orchestrated (or at least I hope it was not) but now that it is somewhat over, there does indeed seem to be some orchestration. Maybe it is a case of when the world hands you lemons, you make lemonade.

By: Fred Shubbie®

Fred Shubbie® — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:03:42 +0000

…but to address you question about shameless self promotion and the concern for the boat. Let’s just say I had never heard of Shoe City ( her sponsor) before I saw a picture of her boat–now I have. I guess we have to see what happens after the fact and whether she or Shoe City figure out a way to capitalize on the fiasco. Maybe Shoe City would find it advantageous to pay for the return of the boat to use as a Corporate Headquarter museum piece.

Unless we know if any of the future attempts to capitalize on the event were discuss previous to her leaving, we can only speculate if this was an orchestrated event.

By: EOA Staff

EOA Staff — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:40:31 +0000

As would we for ANY sailor. I think my issue is the decision to send her in the first place and now this preoccupation with the boat. We can argue about the emotional stability of a person taking on a voyage liek that forever. I saw a video of a boy making a similar trip (possibly her brother) where he was in tears and really close to a mental breakdown. And Abby was younger still!

By: Taylor

Taylor — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:33:29 +0000

From what I gather from the media reports, Abby Sunderland’s distress call came from inside of Australia’s designated search and rescue area. That means that they are responsible, by their own law, to search for persons in distress. This is allocated in their government budget (possibly). It’s not like they made a special trip for her. They would have done the same for anyone else.

By: EOA Staff

EOA Staff — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Good point. I guess the question remains if an around the world sail without any type of emergency backup is a good thing?

By: EOA Staff

EOA Staff — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:28:44 +0000

Jerry–

Likely not as the link and new image is being hosted on both Abby’s blogspot blog and her “official” site http://www.abbysunderland.com

By: jerry

jerry — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:36:12 +0000

http://www.savewildeyes.com/

i’m guessing this is a scam, unrelated to the sunderlands… someone should investigate…