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Yachting Monthly

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Laura Dekker: 10 years on after becoming the youngest person to sail solo around the world

• Katy Stickland
• November 17, 2022

Laura Dekker defied the odds to finish her solo circumnavigation around the world. Ten years on, she reflects on her momentous achievement

Laura Dekker wants to inspire others to pursue their dreams and stand up for what they believe, which is why she launched the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation. Credit: Laura Dekker Sailing Foundation Credit: Laura Dekker Sailing Foundation

How far would you go to achieve your sailing dream? Dutch sailor Laura Dekker went further than most to become the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the world.

She faced the scrutiny of a critical media, court battles with the Dutch state, psychological testing, the confiscation of her boat and the threat of being removed from her parents.

‘I clung onto hope and just kept going, hoping something would change,’ she recalled. ‘I am quite a positive thinking person so I like to keep going, but I definitely had low moments.’

Laura Dekker and her parents were surprised by the Dutch state’s fierce opposition to her plans.

Born in Whangarei, New Zealand while her parents were sailing around the globe, Dekker grew up on the water and on boats. Sailing was just a normal part of her life.

Leaving Port Elizabeth, South Africa. By this point, Laura felt she had already achieved the aims of her circumnavigation. Credit: Uwe Moser

‘To us, it wasn’t as crazy as it seemed to so many other people, especially for me, because sailing was literally all I knew. I really couldn’t understand what the fuss was about, which is part of the reason why I really wanted to keep fighting. It seemed really unfair that three judges, who had no idea about boats or sailing, needed to decide whether I was capable of doing such a thing or not,’ explained Dekker, who initially started honing her sailing skills in an Optimist and Mirror before graduating to a Hurley 700.

At 10, she made her first long-distance solo trip, from Ijsselmeer to the Wadden Islands.

Her appetite for singlehanded sailing well and truly whetted, she began preparing for a circumnavigation , sailing her Hurley 700 solo from the Netherlands to the UK. She was 13.

The police were alerted after a friend’s mother reported her to the authorities, and her father, Dick, had to fly to England and sail with her back home.

This was just the start of unwanted state intervention in her plans, and she was placed under a guardianship order.

She upgraded her boat to a Hurley 800, but this was confiscated by the courts.

Finally free to leave the Netherlands. Waving goodbye to well wishers at Den Osse, where she and her father refitted Guppy . Credit: Getty

Frustrated, she wrote a note for her father, cleared out her savings account and flew on her New Zealand passport from Paris to Saint Martin to buy a 30ft Dufour Arpège.

By now a worldwide search warrant had been issued for her, and she was picked up by the island police, and returned to the Netherlands.

Undeterred, Dekker continued to search for the right boat. It was her father who pointed out the extended Jeanneau Gin Fizz advertised in the paper.

Having spent seven years on the hard, Guppy was covered in plants and mould. Dekker’s initial reaction was, ‘Really? Yuk!

‘It looked gross and neglected but Dad and I could see the potential in it. I was also a bit scared because initially I had wanted to circumnavigate in my 7m Hurley 700, which I found easy to handle. This boat was 12.30m/40ft 4in, so much bigger and I thought, could I handle it? Could I even pay for it? But the courts had decided that I needed a bigger boat so there was not much of a choice, plus she was a ketch so the sails are comparatively a little bit smaller and easier to handle, and it was a really strong boat.’

Dekker and her father relocated to Den Osse, in the south of the Netherlands – changing schools and jobs – to work on Guppy.

Laura Dekker – always happy when she is sailing and at one with nature. Credit: Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

They had just a few months to get the boat ready if Dekker wanted to start her circumnavigation in the summer.

By May 2010, Guppy , with a newly fitted Windpilot windvane , was back in the water, and Dekker began sailing the boat in homewaters before a passage to England and back.

By July, the courts had lifted the guardianship order and she was finally free to leave.

A few weeks later, with her father on board, Dekker left the Netherlands and sailed to Portimão, Portugal to give Guppy a proper shakedown sail.

On 21 August 2010, aged 14, she left Gibraltar to sail around the world singlehanded.

The new Guppy is a Scorpio 72. The hull and interior was built in Taiwan, but the yacht was finished off in England. Credit: Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

‘I think I was experiencing every single emotion that you can have at the same time. I was just so nervous, but also super-happy, super-excited; I barely slept. But I was missing my family, so I was sad too,’ explained Dekker.

She and Guppy followed the trade winds, sailing to the Canary Islands , Cape Verde Islands, across the Atlantic to Saint Martin, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific Ocean, through the Torres Strait, across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and then back to Saint Martin via the South Atlantic.

She made stops along the way; Customs and Immigration officials never questioned her.

Meeting new people was one of the highlights of her 17-month voyage, and saying goodbye to return to sea was often hard.

‘At the beginning, I remember I would count the days until I was on shore again. I enjoyed sailing, but I enjoyed being on land more. Halfway through the trip that just changed. I really started to love being on the ocean.’

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Laura Dekker said she was lucky with the weather during her circumnavigation.

She sailed through squalls in the Atlantic and Pacific, dodged lightning and steered Guppy through 65 knot winds and steep waves off South Africa.

‘I always just kept going. I always opted to keep going downwind , and then when it got really bad I hand steered because I felt that was the safest option, as the boat surfed really well.’

She said the Torres Strait, between Australia and New Guinea, was some of the most challenging sailing of her voyage.

‘I had really bad weather when I went through it, wind and thunder. My sail ripped in the middle of the strait and I had to take it down and put another one up. It was just really tiring.’

But the calms were worse, especially in the Indian Ocean.

Voyage end in Saint Martin. Laura was 16, and the youngest person to ever solo circumnavigate the world by boat. Credit: Getty

‘I finally accepted that I wasn’t going to be able to change the weather or the winds, and I was sometimes just going to float backwards for a few days.’

Dekker arrived in Saint Martin on 21 January 2012. She was 16, and had just sailed her last leg from South Africa to the Caribbean island in 41 days.

It was the end of her circumnavigation of the world, but she didn’t feel excited; the voyage had been about exploring the world and challenging herself and she had done that along the way.

‘It was really South Africa where I felt I had achieved everything I wanted to, where I felt l had sailed through storms and calms and I had really faced myself and seen the world. Arriving in Saint Martin felt like just another stop,’ she explained.

A hungry press greeted her, their cameras clicking away when all she wanted was a hot shower.

Carrying out electrical work on the new, bigger Guppy . Credit: Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

She was also itching to continue sailing, and after a few months she threw off Guppy ’s lines and sailed to New Zealand, where she lived onboard the boat for years in Whangarei, finishing school before being accepted at the New Zealand Maritime School in Auckland.

Realising she couldn’t ‘sit still on a chair in school for five years’ she left, got her Yachtmaster Ocean ticket and travelled and delivered boats.

She began working with a marine electrician at Whangarei Girls High, running wilderness expeditions, and it was this which planted a seed that would become the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation, offering teenagers sailing adventures.

With the support of her partner, Sander Vogelenzang, she designed a boat, but the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic quashed their plans.

Instead, they bought a second-hand Robert Perry-designed Scorpio 72 in France and began changing the interior and installing new systems, rigging and sails.

Up to 10 children, aged between 8 and 16, join Laura Dekker and her family for up to six months at a time. Credit: Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

Their first trip across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and back lasted six months. Since then they have taken 40 8-16-year-olds on Atlantic circuits and Europe trips, allowing them to learn to sail, build confidence and develop key skills like problem solving.

Some are onboard the yacht – also named Guppy – for six weeks, others for six months, taking in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, the Caribbean before sailing back to Europe via the Azores.

‘They do need to come with the idea that they will learn and change. From day one they have to do everything themselves from cooking and cleaning to joining watches. It is hard work but when you see the changes in them, especially those students who were with us on the first trip, it is so rewarding to see what it has done for them.’

Dekker, Vogelenzang, and another adult sailor make up the crew, alongside students.

Laura and Sander’s son, Tim, is already part of the Guppy crew. Credit: Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

The couple’s young sons, Tim and Alex are also onboard.

At 27, and a mother, would Dekker allow her children to circumnavigate the world solo at the age of 14?

‘I really don’t know. I had this opportunity and it has absolutely made me the person I am today, so I can’t really say no, but it does depend upon the child. The only thing I can say is that I will definitely raise them to follow their dreams and their goals, and let them fall on their noses and do as much as possible themselves while I’m still able to catch them if they don’t manage.’

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

Laura Dekker has certainly faced her challenges, and few could argue that the resulting experience has been anything short of extraordinary.

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Why a 14-Year-Old Girl Decided to Sail Around the World Alone

A film follows the journey of Laura Dekker as she attempts to circumnavigate the globe.

In 2010, 14-year-old Laura Dekker took to the seas in her sailboat, Guppy , on a quest to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone. Maidentrip , a forthcoming feature-length documentary, follows Dekker on her voyage, told largely through footage that Dekker shot while at sea. Far from her family and without a support team, Dekker goes where the wind takes her. In an exclusive excerpt of the film above, Dekker sails from French Polynesia to Australia.

In 2009, when Dekker first announced plans to sail the world, Dutch authorities prevented her from setting sail for a year. “Of course there are people who say you’re crazy, but it’s a dream. A great, great dream. I want to sail, I want to go around the world. I want to see all the places and not always the stupid same thing,” says Dekker at the start of the film. “I lived my first five years at sea and ever since, all I’ve wanted is to return to that life.” In January 2012, after 17 months at sea, Laura successfully completed her voyage.

In an interview with The Atlantic ’s Video channel, filmmaker Jillian Schlesinger discusses the film:

The Atlantic : Why do you think Dekker’s voyage has been such a polarizing subject? After she finished sailing, and with Maidentrip on the festival circuit, has the conversation changed?

Jillian Schlesinger : I think anytime a young person is doing something so far outside the realm of what is considered normal and conventionally accepted, it ruffles a lot of feathers. Some people applaud and stand up for it, others call it insane and irresponsible. Everyone brings their own experiences and values to considering it, however I noticed the more I read the more it seemed Laura's own voice was missing from the conversation about her voyage. Consequently, many opinions may have been formed without examining Laura's unique circumstances and worldview. The film allows people into an extraordinarily remote and unique world. It's hard to imagine being more at home and secure at sea than on land, but that is Laura's reality. I think having Laura's voice and perspective represented in the broader conversation about her story, free from the hyper-sensationalized media filter, has changed the conversation in many ways, especially challenging a lot of misguided, gender-biased language used to talk about her story early on. And now that the trip is in the past and she succeeded, that certainly changes things dramatically.

How did you come to meet Dekker and make the film?

I read about Laura in the New York Times in 2009 and immediately wanted to make the film. I spent some time thinking about the concept and approach and then reached out to Laura with a detailed illustrated proposal and a long personal letter about my experience and intentions. Laura connected to something in my proposal, responded, and we began discussing the details of how we would make this thing happen.

What were the biggest challenges in making Maidentrip a reality?

This was a very challenging first film to make, but I'm glad I didn't go into it with that mindset. Most of the creative and logistical challenges were really exciting, like the challenge making a film about something unfolding as it's being documented and happening largely outside of your presence and outside of your control. It required a lot of trust—trust in Laura, in other collaborators, in the universe. It's crazy now to look back on how it all came together, but at the time it was all unfolding, it seemed so hard to imagine that it would eventually become something that people could see and react to.

What was your relationship with Dekker like during filming? How involved was she from a creative standpoint?

Laura's creative input and our collaborative working relationship were essential to every stage of the filmmaking process . I would say our relationship has been much more of a deep friendship and creative partnership than what I imagine to be a typical filmmaker-subject bond, if there even is one. When I would go to meet her in various ports along her route, the filming was always a secondary consideration to our many adventures. While we often had a camera in tow, the spirit of our collaboration was much more akin to two friends working on a project together, rather than me, the filmmaker, making a film about Laura, the subject.

What is Dekker up to today?

Laura is living on her own in New Zealand, doing a bit of traveling and speaking about her experiences. She recently got her driver's license. She's also busy plotting her next adventure.

Maidentrip is a film directed by Jillian Schlesinger and produced by Schlesinger and Emily McAllister, with support from Louis Venezia . The design and animation were created by Moth Collective .

Maidentrip begins its U.S. theatrical run on January 17. Check out screening times and locations here . For more information on the film, please visit its website .

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Behind the Scenes of ‘Maidentrip’: 17-Year-Old Laura Dekker’s Solo Sail Around the World

To raise adventurous children, as Laura's father learned when she and Guppy set sail, means that someday, you have to let them go

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

“I was born on a boat in New Zealand. I lived my first five years at sea. And ever since, all I’ve wanted is to return to that life.” So begins Maidentrip , a remarkable new documentary about Laura Dekker, the 17-year-old sailor who, in 2012, became the youngest person to sail around the world alone. The film debuted on Sunday at South by Southwest in Austin, before a crowd of about 300 people, and will make the rounds on the festival circuit this spring.

Raising Rippers

Laura’s story sparked an international controversy in 2009, when she announced her plans to attempt a solo circumnavigation. She was 14 at the time and quickly became embroiled in a contentious, 10-month court battle with the Dutch government, which deemed the voyage unsafe for the teen and tried to remove her from her father’s custody. Laura and her father prevailed, and in August 2010, she set sail from the Netherlands in her 38-foot ketch, Guppy .

Maidentrip documents her 17 months alone at sea. There was no chase boat, support staff, or film crew. Laura shot all of the footage aboard Guppy herself, using a Sony Handy Cam she rigged to the boat. The effect is an intimate, arresting portrait of the young sailor, who for much of the film stares wide-eyed into the camera, as though she can’t quite believe she’s doing it, either. Though you never see the camera, it takes on its own personality, a kind of default crew and confidante for the solo skipper.

Director Jillian Schlesinger, 29, who’d read about Laura in The New York Times in 2009 and approached her with the idea of making a documentary about the trip, wanted the project to feel organic and unscripted. “I wanted to let her tell her own story, and give her a voice, in a way that the sensational mainstream media hadn’t,” says Schlesinger. “Doing something so extreme with so much passion is an art, and that’s how I approached it with Laura. I was really interested in finding out why, as a 14-year-old, she wanted to do this. She had no interest in being famous. She really just loves to sail.”

Schlesinger, who makes her living writing and producing TV promos, spent three years working on Maidentrip . It’s her first film. Like Laura’s voyage, the project became her own epic quest. “I always had a dream of making films,” she says. “There are a million reasons not to follow your dream, but as Laura once said to me, ‘You don’t have to know that you can do something. You just have to try.’”

Schlesinger met Laura en route nine times during the course of the 17-month journey, collecting footage, giving her topics for recording unscripted voice diaries, and occasionally shooting dry-land video. In the Galapagos, Laura convinced her to hop a sailboat with a Canadian family for an unplanned “race” across the Pacific. “After wasting a lot of money changing plane tickets, I finally learned not to make firm plans when I met up with Laura, so I’d bought a one-way ticket,” recalls Schlesinger, whose father dropped out of school to sail to Central America. “Sailing across the Pacific started out as a joke. It was daunting to think about being away from the world for three weeks, but I knew it would be compelling to film Laura at sea. In the end, though, we never saw her. We left later than she did and even though we were in a faster boat, she was busting ass to the Marquesas. She got there a day ahead of us.”

No surprise. Laura was born to sail. When she was five, she and her parents returned to the Netherlands, but later divorced. Laura moved in with her dad, who worked in a boatyard, so she could keep sailing. She got her first dingy when she was six, sailed throughout Holland during the summers, and made her first solo crossing, to England, when she was 13. In the film’s early, archival footage, we see a small smiling sailor dwarfed by her life jacket, sailing a tiny dingy with her dog, Spot.

But out on Guppy on the open sea, Laura grows up fast. She cuts her hair, dyes it red, learns to cook and eat ravioli without spilling it when huge swells hit, starts to swear, celebrates her 16th birthday in Darwin, Australia, with her dad, who flies in to help her repair her sails after a wind-battered crossing, and wrestles with her own identity as a sailor and a daughter. In one poignant scene in French Polynesia, she replaces her Dutch flag with the flag of New Zealand, country of her birth. “I don’t have any real connection to Holland anymore,” she says. “I don’t want to go back. I don’t really have a home. Home to me is Guppy .”

Though she shares a deep love of sailing with her father, and both he and her mother meet up with her along the way, the farther she gets from home, the more her family recedes. The overwhelming impression you get from Maidentrip is of a young girl bobbing happily alone on the enormous ocean. Except for a few moments, when she sets out from the Canary Islands to cross the Atlantic and is so homesick she can’t eat for two days, and later when she passes through the Panama Canal—a point-of-no-return where the voyage “just started to get serious”— Laura seems utterly at home at sea, at peace with her solitude, fiercely independent, and unflappable in the face of stiff challenges.

When a storm approaches in the Atlantic, she raises an eyebrow at the camera and starts cursing, “Shit, shit!” But then the first waves slap her bow, and she shouts, “Woohoo! That was so beautiful! Really super awesome!” She grows increasingly comfortable with long crossings—47 days on the Indian Ocean—and less interested in going ashore. “Now I’ve really started to like the long passages more, just because they give you so much time to think,” Laura says in one of her voice diaries. She rounds the Cape of Good Hope in huge swells and a storm that most seasoned sailors would sit out. Not Laura. “I didn’t feel anything but focused. Being scared was totally gone. I didn’t feel that I was hungry or tired. I was just doing it.”

By the time she cruises into St. Martin, in January 2012, bypassing Holland to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe—27,000 nautical miles in 519 days—her transformation from girl to self-reliant solo captain is complete. “I wanted the storms. I wanted the calms. I wanted to feel loneliness,” she says. “And now I know all these things. It’s the end of the dream I had as a kid, and it’s the beginning of my life as a sailor.”

When we last see Laura, she has taken on a crew and is bound for New Zealand, where she lives now, working at a dive shop, racing, studying for her captain’s license, and plotting her next big voyage. There’s talk of a circumnavigation of the Americas, an Arctic Ocean passage, for which she’ll need a steel boat.

It’s impossible to watch Maidentrip and not want to immediately start scheming your own audacious adventure. Laura’s unscripted optimism is contagious. Last night, my four-year-old daughter sat rapt at our kitchen table, watching parts of a movie in which a girl only 10 years older than she is accomplishes the impossible dream. As a mother and adventurer, I can only hope that some of Laura’s daring and passion rubs off on Pippa. To raise adventurous children, as Laura’s father learned when she and Guppy set sail, means that someday, you have to let them go.

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Laura Dekker: The Youngest Circumnavigator - A Voyage of Resilience and Dreams

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On the cusp of adolescence, while most girls her age were navigating the tempestuous seas of teenage angst, Laura Dekker was embarking on a different kind of voyage. At 13, the New Zealand-born, Dutch-raised teenager embarked on an adventure of epic proportions, with the simple, humble goal of circumnavigating the globe. Little did she know that this voyage, traversing through the trials and tribulations of the vast open seas, would not only change her life but also etch her name into the annals of history.

Laura’s love for the seas began in her early years. Raised by her father, an adept sailor himself, Laura was introduced to the sailing life. “My dad taught me everything about sailing from a very young age,” she recollects. Every day, after school, she was immersed in the intricate world of sailing – understanding boats, navigation, weather patterns. Instead of usual playtime, her hours were filled with maritime education.

It was not long before Laura began undertaking solo trips, each journey fueling her dream to sail around the world. She completed her first solo trip across the North Sea from Holland to England at 13. “When I did that solo trip… I knew I was ready. I knew I could do this.” From that moment, her goal was set, and she began to prepare intensely, reading and learning all that she could about this ambitious endeavour.

However, her path to achieving her dream was not devoid of obstacles. The idea of a young teenager sailing alone around the globe raised several eyebrows and instigated a backlash from authorities. They deemed it perilous and tried to prevent her from embarking on the voyage. But Laura’s resilience was unflinching. She made her case, assuring the court that she was competent and equipped for the journey. She agreed to sail a larger boat with advanced navigation equipment, undertake courses in first aid and sleep deprivation, and continue her education through a correspondence school. After a protracted legal battle, she finally won the approval to sail alone.

In August 2010, Laura began her circumnavigation from Gibraltar, sailing aboard Guppy, her 11-meter, two-masted ketch. Her journey encompassed traversing the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, braving the treacherous waters of the Torres Strait and South Africa’s roaring forties, all to return to her starting point on January 21, 2012.

Her journey was not merely about sailing; it was an expedition of self-discovery and a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. With each sunset watched from the deck of Guppy, with each wave battled and each new port arrived at, Laura grew – not just as a sailor, but as an individual.

She documented her adventures in a book, “One Girl One Dream,” released when she was 19. Her narratives of keeping Guppy afloat amidst storms, the companionship of the flying fish, the dolphins in her wake, and the music from her guitar as the sun descended over the horizon give readers a glimpse into her extraordinary journey.

Laura’s voyage, however, was not without its share of threats. She battled against 65-knot winds, surfed down 8-metre-high waves, and even faced a near-capsizing incident with a whale. “But the greatest danger is to panic,” she says. Despite the challenges, she found peace during the voyage. Her time spent at sea nurtured her love for sailing, and her solitude became her strength. She says, “I was very much at peace. I felt a connection to everything around me. I had time to be at one with the sea.”

Born to parents on their seven-year sea voyage around the world, Laura Dekker was always destined for a life that was far from ordinary. She was raised by her father, living on a boat, learning how to navigate life on the sea from a very young age. Now living in Whangarei, New Zealand , Laura’s story is one of determination, courage, and resilience – qualities that enabled her to brave the mighty oceans single-handedly and achieve her dream.

Laura Dekker’s story is a testament to the spirit of youth and the power of dreams. It is proof that age is not a barrier to achieving greatness. Her journey, as she conquered not just the seas but also the societal norms and expectations, is an inspiration to all dreamers, urging them to break free and chart their course.

Who is Laura Dekker?

Laura Dekker is a New Zealand-born Dutch sailor. She is best known for being the youngest person to sail around the world solo, a feat she accomplished at the age of 16.

When did Laura Dekker set sail on her solo circumnavigation?

Laura set sail on her solo circumnavigation journey on August 2010, at the age of 14, aboard her 11-metre, two-masted ketch named Guppy.

Why did Laura Dekker decide to undertake this journey alone?

Laura had always been passionate about sailing and had the idea of circumnavigating the globe ingrained in her mind from a young age. When she realized that no one could accompany her due to work or lack of interest, she decided to undertake the journey alone.

What were some challenges she faced before the voyage?

One of the major challenges was legal. The Dutch authorities, upon hearing of her plans, tried to stop her. They deemed her too young to sail alone and it took a 10-month court battle for her to finally win the right to sail.

How did Laura prepare for the journey?

Laura promised judges she would sail a bigger boat with advanced navigation equipment, take courses in first aid and coping with sleep deprivation, and enrol in a special correspondence school to ensure she was ready for the solo journey.

What was Laura's route during her circumnavigation?

Laura's journey took her across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans via the Panama Canal, through the treacherous Torres Strait and around the roaring forties at the tip of South Africa, before finally arriving back at Saint Martin on January 21, 2012.

What were some highlights and challenges during the voyage?

Highlights included meeting a variety of marine life, from dolphins to flying fish, and experiencing different cultures at her various stops. Challenges ranged from battling 65-knot winds and 8-metre-high waves to almost being upturned by a whale.

Who taught Laura to sail?

Laura credits her father for her sailing abilities. From a young age, he would teach her about boats, navigation, and weather conditions after school, essentially fostering her love for the sea.

How did the voyage impact Laura Dekker's life and outlook?

Laura's voyage taught her the value of resilience and the importance of appreciating the little things in life. It also reinforced her belief that children are more capable than adults often give them credit for.

What is Laura Dekker doing now?

As of 2023, Laura Dekker lives in Whangarei, New Zealand, on her boat Guppy. She often travels for public speaking engagements where she shares her experiences and encourages others, especially young people, to pursue their dreams.

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The amazing voyage of Laura Dekker, the 15-year-old who sailed round the world alone

• August 17, 2017

In 2011, Dutch teenager Laura Dekker became the youngest person to sail alone round the world. Her account, of which this is an extract, bubbles with a youthful verve and passion.

In 2009, the English sailing community was galvanised by the arrival on the East Coast of a 14-year-old single-hander from Holland, writes Tom Cunliffe . This was Laura Dekker, skippering a small yacht she had bought with borrowed money.

She was placed in care and refused leave to return home in her boat until her father, party to the whole event, came over. He declared his confidence in his daughter and she completed her voyage alone.

Later that year, Laura announced her intention to sail round the world single-handed in a 38-footer she would finance though her own efforts. Now it was the Dutch authorities who tried to ban the project, but after a good deal of manoeuvring they too relented and she finally set out from Portugal in 2010.

One year and five months later, Laura became the youngest solo circumnavigator at the age of 16 .

This extract from her book, One Girl One Dream , (Harper Collins, New Zealand) describes part of her 6,000-mile passage from Australia to South Africa. It bubbles with youth, and anybody feeling jaded with their life should read it right now.

Better than that, go out and buy the book . I did. I couldn’t put it down.

DAY 15 – 10 OCTOBER Finally, some wind, but it’s so dark and grey outside that it looks as though the clouds will envelop Guppy at any moment. There’s a 4m swell and I’ve been having squall after squall breaking over me for the past two weeks. The wind isn’t constant for more than an hour at a time, which entails adjusting the sails and the course regularly.

I dive into a book so that I can forget everything around me, but every time I get up there are dark clouds, drizzle and little wind. During my crossing from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands, I’d covered 2,600 miles in the same time it’s taken to cover only 1,500 now. This ocean hasn’t done me any favours, and I’ll be glad to leave it behind me.

Guppy is running at three knots and bobbing along like a useless rubber duck on the high swell. At the top of the waves, I have an infinite view of endless grey sea that changes to drizzle on the horizon. I have to accept it because I can’t change it anyway, and things are bound to get better.

DAY 16 When day breaks, a few squalls pass by, causing the wind to come first from behind and then head-on, just to give me a hard time, before falling away altogether.

This isn’t much fun with the high swell and the cross-seas . . . Guppy is rolling very heavily and the sails are flapping in all directions, but once the squalls have disappeared on the horizon I feel it – WIND! Wonderful wind. Guppy flies forward and is making real speed for the first time since Darwin. It’s going well and she’s jumping over the waves at seven knots like a young foal, and looks as though she’s enjoying it as much as her skipper.

A glance at the solar panels shows me that there is work to do. I can start cleaning them all over again as it seems to have become a regular shithouse for all my feathered friends. Not good, and I’m pissed off about all the lost current that I need so much.

Seeing that I’ve hardly had any sun, Guppy ’s batteries have not been charging optimally, which means that I can make only limited use of my radar and beloved SSB radio, which both need a lot of electricity. A pity because my SSB offers me something else to do other than staring over the grey sea and skies.

Towards afternoon, my mood improves when the weather starts to clear gradually. I’m proud of Guppy as I watch her cut nicely through the sea. We have covered so many miles and experienced so much together.

I think back to my first crossings, years ago in my little 7m Guppy . At the age of ten I didn’t have a clue what lay ahead of me, but that never stopped me from venturing into the unknown.

After the first plunge into the deep end, many more followed, but I never regretted my decisions. I’m glad Dad gave me the freedom to discover things for myself, but never before he was certain that I could handle the situations I would be confronted with.

This voyage of mine has already taught me so much. When I left the Netherlands I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do in the future, just like any other teenager, and now I have loads of plans. I want to go to New Zealand, finish my schooling there, and then do something in the sailing field. But most of all, I’ve come to know myself very well.

I have consciously faced the fear of the unknown, confronted myself and conquered anxieties and loneliness. I’ve become stronger mentally and feel on top of the world. I know I will get to South Africa richer for the experience of having crossed 6,000 miles of the Indian Ocean.

DAY 17 No bird shit today, and no squalls either, but a strong wind and something to go for! It’s still cloudy, but the sun breaks through from time to time and that cheers me up.

The wind gives me a broad reach and I’ve boomed out the genoa. The sheets are still getting chafed by the spinnaker pole and I invent a new solution. A sort of safety rope. I make a short loop in the eye of the genoa and fix the spinnaker boom to this. This line is sure to tear, too, but that’s not serious. It’s holding so far, but then I think of all my other attempts — the duct tape, Rescue Tape, the patches bound around . . . But theoretically this should work. Guppy is in her element.

I’m too late to see it coming. A massive wave breaks over the cockpit and soaks me to the bone. I’ve had my shower, but it leaves me even more salty.

When I go below to change into some dry clothes, I feel Guppy balancing on the top of a wave and, before I know what’s happening, I’m flung through the cabin, along with everything else that’s loose. Everything in Guppyland is back to normal . . . Welcome back, wind!

DAY 18 In the meantime, the wind has got a little too frisky… Braids of white foam are flying over the water and the seas are mounting.

In contrast to the Pacific, the waves are steep and high with a swell that’s coming from a different direction to the wind. Guppy is being blown forward at a speed of eight knots while massive waves wash over the deck.

The companionway has to stay closed, and I see walls of water chasing past when I look outside. But Guppy is handling it well; I’m proud of her and know that she will continue to thunder on until the sea calms down again. All I have to do is keep watch. I’ve been at sea for 18 days now and this has been my longest crossing so far in terms of time; and I’m not even halfway yet.

Sitting on the chart table with one foot on the cabin steps and the other firmly against the cabin wall, I switch on the SSB. Guppy is occasionally surfing off the waves at speeds exceeding 10 knots, and is rolling dangerously from side to side.

I have to reduce sail, put a second reef in the mainsail and possibly set the storm jib before night falls, because otherwise it is simply too dangerous. I’m busy thinking about all this when I receive a call from Sogno d’Oro . We’ve been talking for a few minutes when Guppy starts to surf faster and faster off a wave.

“Oh, shit!” is all I can say.

A huge breaker crashes over us from the side, taking Guppy down a mountain of white foam to land on her side at the bottom of the trough with a mighty bump.

Looking through the Plexiglas door, I see the sea wash into the cockpit. Still holding the microphone in one hand with the other on a handgrip, I‘m hanging horizontally to the companionway and am looking at the oncoming water in shock.

Slowly, Guppy manages to right herself while I survey the chaos inside and the water that is slowly running out of the cockpit. “I, I, we – Guppy has just been knocked down,” I stutter into the radio. “I’ll call you back in half an hour.”

I switch off the SSB, click myself into the harness and wait for the right moment to venture on deck. In the meantime, the windpilot has got everything under control again.

Almost everything that was in the cockpit has been swept away. The sprayhood has been totally flattened on one side, and I’m standing up to my knees in water in the cockpit . . . I take in the remaining bit of the genoa that’s still attached to the spinnaker boom.

With water flying over me, and cursing myself, I insert the second reef in the mainsail; something I should have done hours ago. Several lines are trailing in the water behind Guppy , and I bring them back on board.

Half an hour later, everything looks to be under control again. There doesn’t seem to be much damage to the mast or equipment. Cold and soaked to the bone, I get back to my radio pal Henk who’s also at sea and explain what’s just happened.

Guppy is more stable now that she is going slower, and I’m more comfortable about facing the night.

We chat about life on board. Things that are so easy to do at home are a real challenge on board. Just going to the toilet is a major task, and you have to wedge yourself into a certain position in case an unexpected waves launches you through the boat . . .

But what must be done must be done; including eating liquid food that flies through the cabin the moment you let go of it, and losing stuff you left on deck. Reefing on time, but not too early, in case Guppy becomes a toy in the waves – it’s all part of it.

It feels as though Guppy has been on a roller-coaster all night. I hear the breakers gathering height in the dark, but only see them when they crash over Guppy with force. The cockpit is underwater regularly.

All the hatches have to stay shut tightly, which makes it very stuffy inside. I’m impressed by the waves here; not only are they really huge, but they are particularly steep. Each big breaker could knock Guppy down again, but she’s handling it well and is running at seven knots on a small piece of sail.

DAY 19 It’s already light when the wind starts to drop a little. By noon it’s just 25 knots and the waves are becoming longer. The breakers have disappeared.

I shake out a reef and unfurl a good bit of the genoa. The situation is improving steadily and I suddenly feel exhausted. I’ve been on standby all night watching from behind the Plexiglas door.

Before turning in, I check Guppy ’s position. We’ve made good progress in the past few days.

DAY 20 The wind has totally died and we start the umpteenth grey, wet day. I can’t even remember the last time I saw the sun. Everything is timeless here. If I didn’t make a diary entry every day, I would lose my sense of time altogether.

What does it matter if you’re at sea for 20 or 25 days? Even though there’s a big difference between one and five days. I’m still very tired, miss the sun and sometimes feel like running.

At the same time, I’m intensely happy here on Guppy on waves that have calmed down now. There are times when I’d like to be on land, but there are always more moments on land when I wish I was at sea.

The sea draws me onwards, and so does my curiosity to experience what lies beyond the horizon.

Laura Dekker: Where is the Sailor Now?

Netflix’s ‘ True Spirit ‘ follows the challenging 210-day journey that Australian sailor Jessica Watson undertook from October 2009 to May 2010. At 16, she became one of the youngest to complete a solo global circumnavigation without assistance, covering approximately 23,000 nautical miles. However, readers might be interested to know that Jessica is not the only one who has conquered the waves. Dutch sailor Laura Dekker also circled the world alone on her two-mast sailboat, at about the same age as her Australian peer.

Interestingly, Laura’s life began at sea, as she was born in Whangarei, New Zealand, in September 1995, during her parents’ sailing trip. She spent the first five years of her life on the water and went to live with her father in the Netherlands after her parents separated in 2001. For the next few years, Laura assisted her father and mastered sailing for short distances before completing a solo round trip to England in 2009. That year, the 13-year-old announced her plans for solo global circumnavigation.

Sadly, Laura faced severe opposition from government authorities, given the risks involved and her parents sharing her joint custody. Once the legal agreement ended in 2010, she set out to sail the world in August 2010 at 14. When Laura returned in January 2012, she inspired many young sailors globally. Now, if you’re interested to know what she has been up to nowadays, we have your back!

Laura Dekker Continues to be Passionate About Sailing

After completing her solo global circumnavigation between August 2010 and January 2012, Laura Dekker became the youngest to sail the world alone. Sixteen, when she returned home, the Dutch sailor was honored with numerous prestigious awards for her incredible achievement. This includes the Challenger of the Year Award by Faust A.G.  in 2012, the AYS Speakers Program in 2012 by the American Yacht Club, and the 2013 Award of Merit by the Ocean Cruising Club in Whangarei, New Zealand.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura Dekker (@lauradekkeryouthsailing)

In 2011, Laura was nominated for the esteemed Conny van Rietschoten Prize, the highest honor for Dutch sailors. In February 2015, she also became the youngest person to obtain the Yachtmaster Ocean 200gt Certificate. After her first global voyage, Laura circumnavigated the world one and a half times again before setting up base in her birthplace Whangarei, New Zealand. She gained experience working as a Marine Technician and occasionally partnered with high schools in outdoor education programs.

Since Laura loves mingling with young minds and teaching them about sailing, she decided to continue working in the education field and co-founded the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation in 2018. The organization provides programs for students to develop teamwork, self-confidence, responsibility, creativity, and leadership skills. Not just that, participants get a chance to live with Laura aboard her sailboat and learn the intricacies of life at sea.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)

In 2018, the sailor loaned Guppy, the boat she used for her circumnavigation expedition, to a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization named LifeSail. Unfortunately, the vessel was wrecked during its trip to California, and Laura claimed compensation for the damages. Eventually, she acquired a new sailboat named Guppy XL, which she uses to train students today. Apart from sailing events, Laura appeared in the acclaimed 2013 documentary ‘Maidentrip, directed by Jillian Schlesinger; it chronicles her circumnavigation experiences.

Furthermore, Laura participated in the expedition-based Dutch reality series, ‘Atlas’ and ‘Expeditie Poolcirkel,’ securing first position in the latter. Apart from this, she has authored the 2014 novel ‘One Girl, One Dream,’ her autobiography, which details the trials and tribulations she faced to make her sailing dream come true. On the personal front, Laura tied the knot with a fellow New Zealander, Daniel Thielmann, in 2015, but they parted ways later due to irreconcilable differences.

The sailor and educator then began dating Sander Vogelenzang, a talented boat builder with a sailing background similar to hers. He is the co-founder of the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation, and together they travel around the world conducting outdoor education workshops for kids. The couple has two sons together, including their eldest child, Tim, who is a budding young sailor. Laura aims to impart valuable knowledge and life skills to children worldwide through her organization. Besides, she has kept her passion for sailing alive and spends much of her time on the open waters.

Read More:  What is Jessica Watson’s Net Worth?

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LIFESAIL COMMUNITY SAILING ADVENTURE PROGRAM

• Mar 22, 2019

Delivery and Loss of Guppy

In the early morning hours of August 8 th , 2018, the sailing vessel Guppy, a 40’ cutter

rigged ketch and former boat of Laura Dekker, the youngest ever solo circumnavigator,

was wrecked on Manihiki, a remote island in the South Central Pacific. The vessel Guppy

was donated to LifeSail by Ms. Dekker in late 2017, and departed New Zealand in April

of 2018 with a crew of LifeSail volunteers on delivery to Southern California.

LifeSail repeatedly expressed heartfelt regret to Ms. Dekker. We ourselves were

saddened for the lost opportunity to further inspire youth through Guppy, but of most

importance, no one was seriously injured, and the environment was protected.

During the salvage effort, our highest priority was preventing environmental impact.

Vessels can be replaced, but reefs, oceans, and the people who live there cannot. Special

thanks are owed to the people of Manihiki, as well as the LifeSail volunteers. Their

combined work made possible Guppy’s removal from the reef, in compliance with

directions from the central Cook Island Government and local island council.

LifeSail hoped to provide details to address supporters, as well as fans of Ms. Dekker

who expressed anger over the loss. LifeSail’s regular communications with Ms. Dekker

ended when Ms. Dekker chose to engage legal counsel, and therefore precluded a

complete public statement from LifeSail. Ms. Dekker made numerous threats of legal

action, despite Ms. Dekker having no responsibility for Guppy, crew liability, the

extensive salvage operation, or potential environmental impact.

LifeSail has engaged in no wrongdoing or mishandling of the donation, and claims of her image being damaged by LifeSail have no legal merit. LifeSail accepted full

responsibility from the outset, and has in no way involved Ms. Dekker.

LifeSail has made numerous attempts to repair the relationship, including offers to donate the balance of insurance proceeds to Ms. Dekker for the purchase of her next vessel. After additional costs related to salvage, installation of new equipment, and repairs for Guppy, the remaining insurance is comparable to Guppy’s market value when donated. Our offer leaves LifeSail supporters to carry additional related costs, which we believe to be fair, and in the spirit of our initial understanding with Ms. Dekker.

Despite our best efforts, Ms. Dekker has declined our offer. She instead demands a sum

of money far beyond Guppy’s value, and continues to threaten legal action for emotional and immaterial damages. That said, LifeSail remains committed to our understanding with Ms. Dekker, and has no intention of retaining these funds.

The LifeSail board has voted to donate these proceeds to one or more independent

charities on her behalf. LifeSail will choose organizations that perform rescue at sea,

marine environmental recovery, or other marine related activities. In order to maintain a

high level of integrity, we will document these donations and inform the public as made.

Now that LifeSail is free to release details of the Guppy loss, we hope to clear confusion

with the following comprehensive timeline.

Timeline of Guppy Donation

-In April of 2017, Ms. Dekker contacted LifeSail to offer Guppy as a donation. She

explained that she and her husband were seeking to purchase a larger boat to embark on a new sailing endeavor. They needed to sell Guppy to raise funds, but after two years had been unable to do so.

Instead, a couple in the United States offered to donate the value of Guppy to Ms. Dekker for her new boat, on condition that she arrange for a worthy organization to accept the donation of Guppy. After researching LifeSail, Ms. Dekker stated she felt our program would be a fit.

LifeSail responded that if certain conditions were met, we would be able to accept Guppy as part of the existing program, by giving under privileged youth the experience of coastal cruising aboard Guppy.

At that time, Ms. Dekker represented Guppy as in proper condition to sail west to east

across the Pacific.

-In May 2017, LifeSail CEO Matt Schulz traveled to New Zealand to inspect Guppy. He

found Guppy had been left on a mooring for several years, and would require significant

work and preparation for a delivery trip to the United States.

-Between May and September of 2017, the details of the donation and delivery were

negotiated.

-In October 2017, Ms. Dekker and LifeSail entered into an initial Memorandum of

Understanding. LifeSail agreed to take full financial responsibility for Guppy starting

November 2017, and requested Ms. Dekker sail with the volunteer crew on the initial leg

of the delivery starting spring of 2018.

Ms. Dekker wanted to insure Guppy would serve children, and not be sold for cash upon

reaching the US. LifeSail therefore promised that if for any reason LifeSail could no

longer use Guppy, and before the vessel would be sold or transferred to another

organization, Ms. Dekker would have a first right of refusal.

-In November 2017, LifeSail paid for haulout, and sail, rigging, and hull repairs. A full

assessment of the vessel was made. All indications were that despite the vessel’s age,

with additional attention and careful weather planning, Guppy could be sailed to the US

-In December, LifeSail wired funds to Ms. Dekker sufficient to pay for insurance, taxes,

mooring, and other miscellaneous repairs up until the scheduled departure time of April

LifeSail also offered to hire Ms. Dekker to crew Guppy for the entire delivery, along with

LifeSail volunteers, as a way to raise additional money for her new venture. LifeSail

offered her delivery fee, and Ms. Dekker conditionally accepted, if she could arrange

time for the trip.

-In January of 2018, LifeSail began work on a series of fund raising events to pay Ms.

Dekker’s delivery rate, and costs for flights, provisions, and equipment for the volunteer

-In February, Ms. Dekker was brought to Los Angeles at LifeSail’s expense for the

premiere fund raising event, and to announce the donation of Guppy. While in the US,

Ms. Dekker informed LifeSail she would not be able to participate as a delivery skipper,

but agreed to sail with the crew to Fiji as originally agreed, in order to familiarize the

volunteer crew with Guppy.

-In March of 2018, Ms. Dekker, Matt Schulz, and LifeSail Vice-President Hartmut

Eggert, traveled to the US Consulate in New Zealand to sign a federally notarized

donating Bill of Sale, and officially transfer full ownership of Guppy to LifeSail,

superseding the earlier Memorandum of Understanding.

-In April of 2018, US Documentation was approved for Guppy, and the delivery crew

arrived in New Zealand to complete final repairs and provisioning, including replacement of radios and other electronics, installation of two satellite communication systems, replacement of rigging components, and repair of areas of dry rot found during prior inspections.

One week prior to departure, Ms. Dekker informed the crew she would be unable to

participate in any part of the delivery, including the leg to Fiji as had been planned.

LifeSail made crew adjustments and continued with the plan to depart as weather

Timeline of Guppy Delivery

The route east from New Zealand to the US, against the trades, required flexibility. The

general plan was to sail first to Fiji, then east as weather permitted, until crossing the

equator to Hawaii. To fulfill the mission of inspiring youth sailing, the crew would video

log and make contact with youth sailing clubs as opportunities permitted while enroute.

-May 2018 Guppy sailed from New Zealand to Fiji with the first leg crew of four. Matt

Schulz, Professional Marine Surveyor and 45 year blue water sailor; Hartmut Eggert,

Commercial Licensed Captain and ASA sailing instructor; Lori Kallestad, 20 year Sailor,

Boat Owner, and Off Shore Racer; Josh Park youth graduate of LifeSail. On the crossing,

Hartmut Eggert suffered what was believed to be bruised ribs.

Upon arrival in Fiji, Matt Schulz and Josh Park returned to the US. Britta Fjelstrom, a 25

year Sailor with extensive cruising experience, relieved Matt Schulz, leaving a crew of

three aboard Guppy.

Guppy waited to insure Hartmut had recovered, but after two weeks of no improvement, x-rays revealed two broken ribs. Hartmut returned to Germany, leaving Guppy with a crew of two. In addition, the first signs of engine trouble made it necessary to clean fuel lines and perform unexpected maintenance prior to departure. Guppy was delayed in Fiji by a total of 3 weeks.

-June 2018, light winds and prevailing Easterlies made sailing to American Samoa via

Tonga a favorable route, additionally tracing the route Ms. Dekker had sailed across the

Pacific. While underway, both engines failed, and both were leaking salt water into the

bilges, requiring a sail directly into the Easterlies, delaying arrival to Pago Pago in

American Samoa by several days. At the time, it was believed American Samoa would be

the best place to repair the engines and re-provision.

-Late June to July 2018, Guppy was delayed by over three weeks in Pago Pago waiting

for shipment of engine parts, new raw water pumps, and new filter assemblies from the

United States. Mechanics were hired to replace the aged filter system, fouled lines, and

other engine accessories. While waiting in American Samoa, a storm further delayed

departure, and resulted in the loss of portions of running rigging, which were sacrificed to secure Guppy in the harbor, as well as sail and sail cover damage.

Limited sail and rigging supplies in Pago Pago required Guppy to sail to Apia Samoa,

further delaying delivery. By the end of July, Britta had exceeded her two month

commitment, which meant she would not be able to continue to Hawaii. Britta returned to the US from Apia.

Attempts were made to take on replacement crew in Apia. Arrangements had already

been made for Matt Schulz and Steven Schulz, also a LifeSail Instructor, to meet Guppy

in Kiribati in mid-August. When no crew was found in Apia, Lori Kallestad requested

permission to continue on from Apia to Kiribati solo.

The meteorologist felt the timing worked well with the pending forecast, coupled with

pilot charts, and LifeSail authorized Lori sail Guppy Solo to rendezvous with Matt and

Steven in Kiribati. Guppy would then hold in Kiribati to watch for hurricanes before

continuing on to Hawaii, or waiting out hurricane season to the south.

-Late July to August 2018, sailing was lighter than forecast, and progress north from

Samoa was slow. Problems continued with both Guppy engines as well, especially the

more fuel efficient wing engine, which was critical to making the passage with Guppy’s

limited fuel capacity. Starting both engines was difficult, and both engines would die

after start, indicating more fuel line or tank obstructions.

After 6 days making slow progress to the North in light winds, shifting weather forecasts

called for better routing to the East in the direction of the Northern Cooks. After 4-5 days Easting, Guppy would turn back north to Kiribati from the Northern Cooks and with any luck, would have reached Kiribati on or before August 17 th .

Additional fuel and working engines would have assisted traveling further East, and

insured a successful passage to Kiribati, regardless of wind conditions. Because the

Northern Cooks were on a direct line of travel, the decision was made to stop in Manihiki and Penrhyn Islands, the two most inhabited islands, to change fuel filters, and secure additional diesel fuel if available.

-August 6 th , Guppy anchored at Manihiki Island, with the intention of departing by

August 8 th for Penrhyn Island.

An anchoring position near the municipal pier channel was recommended by the local

Manihiki authority, on the west facing side of the island near the village of Tauhunu.

There was sufficient room to swing, and the anchor was properly set. The evening of

August 6 th passed without incident.

-August 7 th , supplies of fuel were low on the island and none could be spared. Completing engine maintenance and other preparations made first light on August 8 th the safest option for departure to the next island of Penrhyn. Winds and swell were light, and the extended forecast on both Predict Wind and European models showed no significant prevailing changes for the next 5 to 7 days.

After midnight on August 8 th , the wind and seas were calm, and the skipper’s scheduled anchor check detected no dragging.

Approximately 3am, winds had shifted from ENE to WNW as a light squall moved

through. Lori was again on deck for anchor check, and she reported feeling no tension on the anchor rode. Later it would be learned that the anchor rode was cut by the reef.

Lori attempted to start the main engine to reset the anchor. The engine ran momentarily and allowed slight progress out to sea, then died. Guppy was now adrift without power. Before the spare anchor could be set, the swell carried Guppy’s keel against the edge of the reef. While attempting to restart the engine, the skipper fell in the cockpit, striking her head against the wheel. The laceration later required stitches.

Guppy was then rolled onto her port side and fully grounded. When Lori called for help,

two nearby fisherman came to assist as she abandoned ship. At daylight, the squall had

passed and Guppy was laying beam on to a flat drying section of reef, approximately 40

yards from the municipal pier.

Attempts were made to move Guppy for approximately 12 days, but neither vessels near the island, nor resources available ashore, were sufficient to pull Guppy off without

significant damage. Fuel, oil, coolant, and batteries were removed from the boat to

prevent spillage. Matt Schulz traveled to Manihiki by the first boat available from

After a second squall wedged Guppy between two sections of reef, she was holed and

driven into the deeper water of the channel. It became necessary to break Guppy into

sections, and salvage bags were brought in from the United States to remove the pieces

Closing Statement

The final cause of the grounding was determined to be a loss of anchor when a section of anchor rode was cut loose by the reef, and the boat was carried ashore by the wind waves produced by the squall. A contributing factor was the engine failure, which made

maneuvering to safety not possible. An additional contributing factor was the inability of

the skipper to set the spare anchor, exacerbated by the injury she suffered and the boat

initially hitting ground.

LifeSail believes that Lori Kallestad took all reasonable measures to secure Guppy, and

did all that could be expected in the situation above. Some will find it easy to judge after

the fact. We choose to look at all the facts. Lori’s integrity is highlighted by the over

three months she and the other volunteers spent taking responsibility for the salvage.

It is important to note that Manihiki is an extremely remote island, over 600nm from the

nearest island with regular supplies or air service. 4-5 hour flights are made once a month or less to Manihiki, but are not regularly scheduled. Supply vessels arrive every two to three months, with a passage that takes over 3 days from the capital of Rarotonga. With no cranes or other heavy equipment useful for salvage operations, the island people and LifeSail volunteers did the best they could, but ultimately Guppy was not salvageable.

Once again, special thanks must go to the people of Manihiki. We at LifeSail are grateful

for their generosity and kindness.

LifeSail Board of Directors

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Guppy Update 10/1/18

Dear LifeSail supporters, As you are aware, earlier this year Laura Dekker donated her beloved 'Guppy' to LifeSail, in hopes we could inspire a new generation to follow their dreams as she did. We set

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Dutch Teen Who Sought Solo Sailing Trip Disappears

Laura Dekker, the 14-year-old Dutch girl whose bid to sail solo around the world was blocked by a court, has gone missing, leaving behind her boat, police said Sunday.

Dekker appears to have left her father's home on her own, Utrecht police spokesman Bernhard Jens told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Her boat, Guppy, is still moored at its usual berth.

"We do not believe this is a crime," Jens said.

Jens would not comment on a report in Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant that Dekker withdrew euro3,500 ($5,000) from her bank account a few days ago.

Dutch broadcaster NOS cited a family spokeswoman as saying that Laura left a letter for her father before disappearing. It did not say what was in the letter.

The spokeswoman, Mariska Woertman, did not return calls seeking comment.

In October, Utrecht District Court refused to let Dekker embark on her attempt to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world, and placed her under the supervision of child care authorities until next July, meaning she could not leave the country without their permission.

Jens said Dutch authorities have alerted neighboring countries to monitor airports.

"That happens with missing minors — if she is seen somewhere else or tries to leave via an airport or something like that, authorities know we are looking for her," he said.

Dekker has joint Dutch and New Zealand citizenship because she was born on a yacht in New Zealand waters. She said earlier this year she might try to go there if Dutch authorities refused to let her sail.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure we can get her back," Jens said. "We are certainly concerned about her health — we are talking about an underage girl."

After the October court ruling Woertman said Dekker remained confident she would be ready to sail next July and would still be able to set the record as the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

The Utrecht court first blocked her departure in August out of concern for her safety. The decision sparked a worldwide debate on how much authorities and parents should limit children's freedom to undertake risky adventures.

Laura's parents, both veteran sailors, are separated. Laura's father supported the attempt but her mother said in a newspaper interview in September she thought Laura was too young.

L A U R A D E K K E R

• Laura Dekker

Laura Dekker, the world famous Dutch/New Zealand sailor who at 16 became the youngest person to circumnavigate the world and made headlines worldwide has long been a big fan of MiniCat, the small lightweight inflatable sailboat and since 2010 has also been a proud MiniCat ambassador.

Laura first came across MiniCat whilst stopping over in Panama during her epic voyage in 2009 when she watched a small inflatable sailboat (MiniCat 310) being sailed and tried it for herself. She instantly loved it and soon became the proud owner of her own MiniCat which she kept stowed on her yacht ‘Guppy’ for fun sailing whenever at anchor.

She has since collaborated with us to design her own version of the best-selling MiniCat 420 model and together we designed the ‘MiniCat 420 Laura Dekker Special Edition’. Laura has also been instrumental in the development and testing of the MiniCat GUPPY.

Thanks to Laura and her belief that sailing should be accessible to everyone it is no coincidence that this wonderful boat is named ‘GUPPY’.

Laura Dekker is an inspirational sailor, the youngest person to circumnavigate the world solo.

We are proud to support The Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation, established by Laura to take young people on ocean voyages in a purpose-built boat, to teach real life skills through sailing challenges. Please find out more and give your support here:

www.lauradekkerworldsailingfoundation.com

  BUY YOUR GUPPY NOW FOR JUST €3,450 (excl. VAT)  

Buy your guppy now for just €3,450 (excl. vat).

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LAURA DEKKER’S GUPPY: Wrecked on a Reef in the Cook Islands

This definitely denotes a trend. A curse even. Call it the Curse of Famous Circumnavigating Sailboats That Have Been Donated to Non-Profit Organizations. The latest victim, you may have noticed, is Laura Dekker’s bright red 40-foot Jeanneau Gin Fizz Guppy , which carried her around the world back in 2010-11 and helped her become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the world alone . Laura has posted details on both her blog and one of her Facebook pages , so I’ll let her tell the story:

I loaned Guppy long term in full faith to a non-profit organization [Ed: LifeSail, based in southern California ] to sail with children after I had been promised to get paid for her by a couple who wished me to donate her to a good cause. The payment never happened – however I still decided that this future for Guppy would be the best and if she could inspire more children to live their dreams it would be all worth it. In April 2018 she left New Zealand with a crew of four, I was meant to be onboard for the first trip to Fiji but got very ill and was unable to take the weather window. The delivery captain who was supposed to sail Guppy to Los Angeles was also onboard. I had gone through the whole boat with him and had full confidence he would get her to LA safely – however during this trip someone else skippered the boat who decided sailing her reefed down with a storm jib in max 18 knots wind was a great idea. Guppy is a racer/cruiser – she likes lots of sail and yes she’s a very wet boat, anything over 10knots of wind means the decks will be wet and water will be in the cockpit. I’m guessing they didn’t want this but of course this caused the boat to sail slow and roll heavily on the ocean swell. Because of this, the delivery captain made a crash through the boat and broke his rib – he had to take a break in Fiji but was also not allowed to come back for reasons still unknown to me.

From there on Guppy continued her journey with a rather incompetent crew which one by one left the boat until one person with very little ocean sailing experience was left singlehanding Guppy. I often attempted to tell them how to sail & maintain Guppy well, getting a big shock every time a picture would come by. They started having trouble with the engines that I have never had trouble with and were perfectly maintained before I gave the boat over, the sun-cover of the Genoa started ripping, meaning the sail has been flapping too much or chafing somewhere. Lots and lots of canisters (and other things) were tied to the railing against my advice of not leaving anything on the deck. Guppy has a low freeboard and therefore very quickly has lots of water on deck. The chance that the jerry-cans will be swept away and tear out the railing is almost inevitable.

On top of that they sailed to many islands which weren’t on the planning, sometimes even in the opposite direction of where they needed to go, causing them to end up way too late in the season and actually unable to safely continue to Hawaii because of Hurricanes.

You can imagine how I anxiously watched the tracker almost everyday – seeing very strange sailing patterns and low speeds for winds in which I know she could perform much better. To my big shock and surprise Guppy was then anchored in front of an Atoll in the open ocean where anchoring is actually impossible and very, very dangerous to say the least. I wrote a message straight away but it was in vain. I watched how the tracker moved onto the reef and stayed there. I’ve been given very little updates or information on what’s really happened or going on now but it’s confirmed that she is indeed on the reef, she has been there for almost one week and I know that no boat, not even a steel one, not even Guppy – could possibly survive this kind of impact.

So far the report of damage I have been given means she’s a total loss. Manihiki is a very remote atoll with very little resources. The sailor who sailed her at the time is luckily okay although needed some medical attention.

Somehow the news that Guppy is gone forever hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s unreal, yet real, and I will need to live with this…

The journey of Guppy ends here, but in my memory of course she will always sail on.

This was the middle of last month. As of August 31, Laura had received more info and was able to post the following:

Initial Damage Report of Guppy’s grounding in Manihiki Isl. Based on information gathered from different sources.

Vessel Particulars when leaving Whangarei Harbour May 2018:

Build in 1978 Designer: Michel Joubert Length: Originally 11.40 m now 12.30 m (professionally extended) Beam: 3.76m Draft: 1.90m Weight: 11 ton Cruising Speed: 6-7 kn Bridge Clearance: 18.70 m

She was first thrown on the reef during a squall in the night which is very common throughout the whole Pacific. The place of initial stranding was between rocks with big surge.

She was being bounced up and down for a few days before being thrown further onto the reef during another squall. During rescue attempts the yacht moved resulting in her bow being completely under water.

The following is a list of damage known so far:

– Broken skeg – Rudder and rudder shaft bend – the shaft is 80mm massive steel – different and much stronger then the original Gin Fizz. – several holes in the hull resulting in water damage to the following:

>Batteries, Electronics & wiring ( Guppy had very extensive and complex wiring this would need complete replacement due to salt water intrusion)

> Engines (Both engines, their systems, props, shafts would need to be replaced completely )

> Interior (Partly broken out because of rocks sticking through hull, otherwise damaged by salt water which can never be washed out, the interior of this boat is part of the structural integrity and is now broken loose and would need complete replacement)

> The deck is balsa sandwich construction which was in excellent condition however with all this salt water intrusion it will rot away within two years – leading to a highly weakened and useless deck.

Since she’s on the ocean side of the reef there is constant movement and bouncing up and down this leads to a lot of structural damage that can’t be seen at first sight like:

> Besides the holes that are in the hull, big parts of the entire hull are delaminated.

> The entire rigging has suffered extreme forces it’s not made for, leading to delamination of chainplates under deck and metal fatigue of rigging, terminals & masts. – It’s absolutely amazing that the masts are still standing! (all parts would need complete sonar analysing to tell what could possibly be reused)

> Keel and keel construction, ribs are broken, delamination around keel structure.

Then there is also of course a very extensive list of small parts damage.

Here is rough overview of the minimal costs in Euros to repair Guppy:

Hull holes: € 30.000 Hull delamination: actually unrepairable but when wanting to: € 90.000 Fairing and painting: € 10.000 Broken Skeg & Rudder: €10.000 Batteries, Electronics & complete wiring:€ 60.000 Engines, engine systems, props, shafts:€ 55.000 Interior: € 35.000 Replacement of deck core: € 30.000 Rigging, chainplates, masts: € 50.000 Small parts: €15.000 Total: € 385.000

This is exclusive of salvaging costs, shipping, environmental costs (already going on). It shows clearly that Guppy is a total loss already and not worth fixing – especially considering the fact that she will never be as safe as she once was and LifeSail’s intention is to sail with kids. LifeSail should have Guppy insured according to our agreement, however the insurance probably won’t pay out more then the market value – which is around €70.000. In this particular case I don’t know how the insurance will handle the situation since Guppy was anchored purposely on a very dangerous spot.

LifeSail is still under the impression that they can salvage Guppy, but after making this damage report and the cost involved repairing her it’s clear to me that this is not an option. With a heavy heart and many tears in my eyes I’ve come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is get her off the reef as soon as possible to limit more damage to the coral and environment and then scrap the boat.

Though LifeSail has yet to post anything about the grounding on their Guppy webpage or on their Facebook page , they evidently have provided Laura with photos of the grounded boat:

The last shot shows where Guppy initially grounded out (outline in black) and where she is now.

To remind you of the other victims of the Curse:

Dodge Morgan’s American Promise , which he gave to the U.S. Naval Academy, which soon sank her in 1991 in a collision with a tugboat . Promise now belongs to another non-profit, the Rozalia Project , which is taking very good care of her

Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV , which was refurbished at great expense, then was grounded on a reef at Rangiroa in the South Pacific in 2006 while circumnavigating in a program organized by the UK Sailing Academy. Like American Promise she was salvaged and now belongs to the Gipsy Moth Trust .

And let’s not forget Tania Aebi’s Contessa 26  Varuna , which was abandoned in the North Atlantic last August , not by a non-profit organization, but by a private owner. 

The exception that proves the rule, if you will.

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Tania Aebi’s boat should have been in a museum. I’m surprised she did not own such a big part of her life. I read her book years ago and got into sailing along with thousands of other people. This ruined my day.

Laura and Guppy-such an inspirational team! Guppy-has now taught both the joy of accomplishment by knowledge at sea as well as the hard crushing truth of the dangers of inexperience at sea. So sorry for Laura, this must be heartbreaking for her due to the special bond I know she obviously had with that boat! You didnt fail her Laura, she did however go down teaching a brave lesson to those watching about inexperience and the sea (vs your brave story and accomplishments with her!) Let’s hope that people can learn from this story too! Guppy is such a famous seagoing Lady and her life lessons are great ones! RIP Guppy!

Contribution in terms of GUPPY´s transom ornament.

I well remember the day, when Laura came to Hamburg together with her father Dick in his rusty Renault, introducing me about her plans … without getting interrupted by Dick. Breath taking: s slim girl of 14 ! Causing goose skin to me even today: Laura was about to buy a unit and pay for it.

My decision to sponsor Laura came from the deep of my heart … within a second. It has been my very first attempt to head for sponsoring.

After her changes from HURLEY 22 to HURLEY 800 and later towards th GIN FIZZ I upgraded from the PACIFIC LIGHT towards PACIFIC, the unit which still is on GUPPIES transom … even on the rocks today.

Hopefully somebody might have paid for a fair insurance coverage … rather than leaving Laury unsupported even after loosing her beloved vessel.

Peter Foerthmann http://www.windpilot.com/blog

Leave superstitions and assumptions out of this , please…. Laura gave her boat away, accidents happen. END OF STORY

14-16 yr old girl successfully prepared (on a limited budget) and circumnavigated this craft SOLO with none of the credentials of any of the LifeSail crew??.. Unbelievable

Not to forget Bernard Moitessier’s steel boat Joshua. He was in it on a charter with Klaus Kinski and went aground off Venezuela

For more on how Moitessier lost Joshua, what really happened, check here: https://staging4.wavetrain.net/2013/12/05/bernard-moitessier-what-really-happened-to-joshua/

And who appointed you to preach and decide, in capitals no less, when the story will end? Please. Laura didn’t give the boat to be manhandled, neglected, disrespected her conditions under which she loaned the boat (the insurance for example, the competent crew the least!) and as a result destroyed by sheer incompetence and lack of responsibility by the people who were given a big “toy” to play for free so who gives a shit. So, Reverend, please do not preach.

I only just read this Article. I actually Followed ‘Laura en Guppy’ (Laura On ‘Guppy’), during Her Campaign to be permitted to Sail ‘Guppy’ Around The World, and also during Her Voyage. I find this so Distressing, and I understand how poor Laura must feel. In my opinion, ‘LifeSail’, together with the Incompetent Crew, should be held Accountable for for the Demise of ‘GUPPY’.

Blah, Blah, Blah , blah , blah , by, Blah

Stupid troll with no balls to leave a name, go crawl back under your rock

I am terribly sad and disappointed that this great boat had to find such a sad end because of incompetence and ignorance.

I think we should all message LifeSail to stick up for Laura! She has inspired so many to live a more full life… Please message LifeSail at perhaps they will fullfill there end of the agreement. The fact they will not even respond to her is beyond disrespectful.

Please message LifeSail at https://www.facebook.com/www.lifesail.org/

I think it’s funny how so many people are so quick to label anyone else who get’s into trouble at sea as incompetent, irresponsible, ignorant… It’s like the NTSB always blaming pilots for manufacturer failures.

“Cause of accident is pilot’s inability to maintain control, after wing fell off because of sub-standard factory installed rivets, but it was still his fault because he should have known better…”

I wonder if we ever considered that part of the reason this is a theme with donated boats is because they get donated for a reason? Long hours of heavy usage, followed by years of neglect after the mission is accomplished, and subsequent charities that have no money in the first place.

LifeSail released a full timeline. https://www.lifesail.org/blog/delivery-and-loss-of-guppy

I think it’s sad for the Laura Dekker story, but she knew what she was doing. She’s probably trying to extort more money than the boat is worth. She should take what the boat was worth and be happy..

I don’t think it’s funny that vicious people like you can so callously toss your poisonous comments about Guppy’s fate without any regard for the facts.

Laura donated her most prized possession with numerous conditions, only one of which that it was to be crewed during the crossing by a minimum of 3 experienced sailors. When it ran aground it was being sailed solo by a woman so incompetent she could only motor sail, but had managed to cause both engines to fail.

So tell us all again how Laura “knew what she was doing” and that her amazing act of love and generosity was an extortion scheme. Actually, don’t bother. Just crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of.

I’d suggest you read the whole pdf that Laura has posted on her blog, which clearly shows all communication between various parties, including between the lifesail board members who accidentally cc’d Laura’s lawyer. The amount of negligence is disgusting and you’re a complete moron to suggest there was anything sinister on Lauras behalf.

Let say Guppy is worth 1 million dollars I’m confident Laura could secure a go fund me account for at least that. Albeit Guppy is lost but at least she can be compensated for her loss

Has Matt paid for Guppy yet?

No!! I just read about this and have no knowledge about any of this. However, I do know what people are like after 80 years of life.

Sad to say that Laura will not recover a penny from those people. Further, the insurance company will do everything they can to pay as little as possible if anything at all. Unfortunately the “civilized” world is not like those kind and generous islanders Laura met on her travels.

Why, with all the deep pockets that there are in the sailing world, is there not a World Sailing Museum that acquires these historic boats and preserves them on display?

I have ABSOLUTLY no symphaty for miss Dekker . I live in holland and followed closely all her tribulations amid court sessions/fight to fullfill her “dream” to sail around the world. At 14 years of age she showed nothing more to be a spoiled brat that HAD to have her way ! PERIOD. She refused school ….escaped to st maarten….ect ect just to have her way. Is this the message to sent to people in their teens !? Break the rules as much as you can until you get what you want. What would have happened if this 14 (FOURTEEN !!!!) Spoiled girl had gotten in a accident or worse perished in this adventure.? AND : if this boat was so precious to her why was guppy ABANDONT for two years on a pier ? So sorry miss Dekker to finaly learn that not always a person gets what he/she wants ! I hope she can go and learn a profesion now that she has time ( and money) since she never finished her school .

What have you accomplished in your life? Certainly not your grammar

I am not native english speaker sir. And what has accomplishment has to do with this ? . SHE did acomplish something …….she is still a brat so is she a BETTER person ? Clearly NOT

Mark Frans your comments are extremely lame and hateful, and indicate you have no idea about life, education, or sailing.

Dick and Laura Dekker are not spoiled, as they worked very hard since they were children. They are not prep school kids with rich parents. They are both impressive people with a love of sailing and the sea. Laura did nothing wrong by sailing around the world at age 14, or by loaning a boat with the expectation that it would be properly cared for. As I write this she is in the middle of the Atlantic with a boatload of children. Laura got what she wanted once again, good for her, she deserves it.

I think you need to go back to school and learn how to spell . The girl thought she was doing the right thing . I admire her for her accomplishment. She has guts and determination. More than most .

Again…..I am NOT…a native english speaker. John..

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