After Being Saved: Teenaged Sailor Abby Sunderland Could Help Save Others

Shipwrecked after a bad storm in the southern Indian Ocean, 16-year-old Abby Sunderland was rescued by the French fishing boat Ile De La Reunion that delivered her to a maritime patrol boat, which later, took her to Reunion Island east of Madagascar. From there she was able to finally fly home. Her description of the incident was “one long wave, one short mast,” and despite her disappointment at the loss of her beloved boat “Wild Eyes,” and not completing her voyage around the world, Abby vowed to try yet again at some unspecified time in the future.

She began her voyage in Marina del Rey on January 23, hoping to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe on a solo nonstop trip. She ran into some equipment problems and was forced to give up her hope of setting the record but was hoping to still complete the journey. In May, 16-year- old Jessica Watson from Australia completed the voyage and holds the record once held by Abby’s brother Zac, who completed the trip at the age of 17.

Sailing experts said she had been foolhardy to enter the Indian Ocean during winter; some shipbuilders claimed she used the wrong craft, and many people weighed in on the issue of parental responsibility. Her parents defended Abby’s choices and her father compared the risks to that of allowing 16 year olds to drive. Abby grew up on boats and is a competent sailor.

Perhaps the bigger question, rather than whether she should have been permitted to make the attempt at all, is the consideration of what happens from here? Australian Maritime Safety chief executive Mick Kinley wouldn't comment on the mission’s cost, but did say there would be no attempt to recover the money. Abby’s mother acknowledged that the family did not have the money to compensate Australian rescue officials, with the rescue costing approximately $300,000. Gary Jobson, the president of U.S. Sailing said it might be time to require rescue insurance for sailors who put themselves in unnecessarily dangerous situations, such as solo circumnavigations. "There needs to be some recourse to make people think about doing this sort of thing," he said.

Maybe, rather than thinking about another attempt to circumnavigate the world, Abby can use this experience, which has involved assistance from all corners of the globe, to volunteer to help others. In the broadly understood term of “tikkun olam,” which is the Hebrew concept of repairing the world through human actions and the idea that each person has a hand in working towards the betterment of the world in which he lives, this is an ideal opportunity for Abby to show appreciation for the efforts of so many to save her. There are many Los Angeles youngsters who would love an opportunity to learn about boats and sailing. Many of these local kids have never set foot on a boat or even visited the Marina Del Rey Harbor. Abby could offer much to local youngsters: stories about her experience alone at sea, skills in seamanship, a sharing of her love and respect for boats and the oceans. Abby would gain sense of affiliation with others, make reparations for all she was given, increase her self-esteem and self-confidence and reap the many benefits that volunteering provides. She is a unique young lady with many skills and talents. Let us see her “pay it forward.”

Evelyn B. Block has almost 30 years of experience working with teens as a child and family therapist, an educator, a consultant to corporations and a parent.  She is also a published author.

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