Teen sailor's mom: 'We can't afford to pay back rescue costs'
Jun 14, 2010, 11:30 AM EST
Abby Sunderland, a 16-year-old southern California girl who attempted to sail around the world but succeeded only in churning up controversy, is safely aboard a French rescue vessel at this hour, and is soon to be deposited on La Reunion Island, near Madagascar. Meanwhile, the preliminary bill for her rescue has come in, and it’s … oh, my … an estimated $300,000. That’ll happen when you have to charter a Qantas Airbus.
Sunderland’s parents, however, say that they can’t afford to repay the Australian government for rescuing their daughter, and anyway, shouldn’t the Australian and U.S. governments get together and take care of that? Oh yeah, and Abby is already planning another round-the-world voyage. And there may be a TV reality show in the works.
“What price would you put on a child’s life?” Maryanne Sunderland said yesterday when questioned about compensation.
“We’re not wealthy people.”
More from the Brisbane Courier Mail:
“The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you’d think they (Australian rescue authorities) would have to work with the US government for that.
It was also revealed yesterday the American Sailing Association refused to sponsor Ms Sunderland’s solo circumnavigation bid, citing concerns about the timing of her trip.
So in essence, the Sunderlands are saying ‘tough beans, Australian taxpayers.’ What we did is not illegal, and if our daughter gets into trouble out there, it’s up to you to subsidize the rescue.
Abby, meanwhile, is also lashing out a her critics on her blog:
Within a few minutes of being on board the fishing boat, I was already getting calls from the press. I don’t know how they got the number but it seems everybody is eager to pounce on my story now that something bad has happened.
There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more. The truth is, I was in a storm and you don’t sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm. It wasn’t the time of year it was just a Southern Ocean storm. Storms are part of the deal when you set out to sail around the world.
As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?
She’s right. As we all know, storms are caused by Poseidon, the God of the Sea. And apparently he’s pissed at her.
UPDATE: Excerpt from a new blog entry by Abby:
The captain is a big, friendly, bald guy with a big beard. He speaks English pretty well and he says, “Is no good to worry about the boat. Is just a boat, you is safe. You should not think about the past.” Which is true, but its hard to keep my mind off everything that’s happened.
This is all starting to sound very familiar. Ha! It’s becoming a Rudyard Kipling novel.
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Family cannot afford to pay back teen sailor Abby Sunderland’s rescue costs: mother [Brisbane Courier Mail]
Abby’s Blog
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- Jay - Aug 29, 2010 at 7:47 PM
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The level of jealousy I hear in these comments is amazing. Most of you people just don’t have it in you to do anything remotely interesting with your lives so you sit and spew hatred on this girl. Its obvious and embarrassing.
Now I think she is being kind of stupid with her attitude about the mistakes she has made in planning this voyage, but at least she is not some boring homebody with no will to do anything of note.
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- scotttracer - Oct 28, 2010 at 5:04 PM
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So they have the $$$ to fund their son and daughter trips around the world and pay for the boats but not to clean up the mess they created. I had a coworker who is friends with this family and they are loaded with $$$. The family should pay up. They are spoiled and they know it. I have a car accident I pay for the clean-up. Same difference. And who lets their children do stupid shit like this anyway
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- highlandhoh3 - Nov 16, 2010 at 5:34 AM
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“I’m tired of footing the bill for all these silly daredevils who get themselves in trouble. ”
1. Tired of footing the billl ? A few thoughts about that, but our society is moving towards a system it seems where only people with money will be able to afford: Libraries, public education – high school and university level, freeways (vs toll roads,) …the list is growing daily. Public campgrounds are now designed for the large motor homes – forget about the poor family that can only afford to tent camp. Get lost innocently these days when out hiking and you might be hit with a five figure bill. Hmmm. Better stay home and watch TV with you. Also, look up the word “narcissistic.’
2. Silly daredevils? What is that quote from Teddy Roosevelt about critics vs people actually daring? The people that get off the couch, turn off the TV and risk themselves. Yeh, some people are damn stupid and irresponsible, but people like this girl? – nope. She is the latest incarnation of those who have made this country as great as it is.
Yeh, your tired all right. It is people like you I think who have benefited so much from thousands of great Americans like this gal who have dared to make America what it is.
I hope she tries again. And again. And again.
And I intend to put my money where mouth is if she is willing to try again.
PS If you won’t to complain about money, direct it at those idiots who rented a huge Airbus to fly out – with not even the ability to say hi to her.
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- smithvillemike - Jan 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM
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It is time for the parents need to show how much they love their daughter and sell their home to pay her expenses. They loved their daughter enough to let her do the things she wants then they need to pay the consequences of their actions. Saying we don’t have the money and she is going to do it again is irresponsible. Take that “reality tv” money, or the “book” money and pay your bills.
She was told it wasn’t safe but went anyway, she needs to pay. Simple. As a diver if I were to get the bends on a trip and have to be taken to shore in a helicopter I have to pay. That’s why I carry good insurance to cover that. Show some responsibility and own not only the glory of the accomplishment, but also the consequences.
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