The parents of 13-year-old Laura Dekker who want to allow their daughter to go on a solo sailing trip around the world have been partially stripped of their parental authority.

A judge in Utrecht granted a request by the Child Protection Agency to make the girl a ward of court, effectively blocking Laura's record-breaking attempt. According to the agency it was "irresponsible for such a young girl to make a two-year solo trip around the world". The judge agreed, expressing "grave doubts that Ms Dekker would be able to handle extreme circumstances."

Laura Dekker can continue to live with her father, but she is now under the guardianship of the Utrecht Youth Care agency, which will not allow her to set sail. The guardianship will last for two months, after which a new decision will be made. As the judge explained:

"It has to be clear by then whether Laura's mental and physical development would be harmed by going on her journey. For now, we assume that it will, but in two months time, researchers [of the Child Protection Agency] must have provided evidence one way or the other."

"It's an exceptional case," Laura's lawyer Peter de Lange said. "The crucial question is whether it is wrong for parents to allow their child to indulge in her passion." Mr De Lange applauded the court's decision to allow Laura to stay with her father.

Ms Dekker was not present when the presiding judge of the court read out the verdict. To escape from the prying eyes of the press, she had gone out - for some sailing.

In an interview with Dutch youth news programme Jeugdjournaal, she said she was happy with the court ruling. She's confident she will convince the psychologists she has to see about her plans. "I'll tell them about my life, my experiences and my upbringing", Laura said. "I'll tell them how I grew up and the things I've learned. I haven't had the same upbringing as so many other children. Sailing has always played a major role in my upbringing and that's why I want to do it".

'Meet people'
She also thinks that she will be able to cope with being away from her parents and friends. "It's a great way to meet new people. There are so many people who sail around the world at the same time. I will be surrounded by those people, so it really won't be a big problem".

She also denied reports that she will be on her boat for two years continuously. "I'll be making many stops in ports of call during my journey. The longest continuous stretch will only be three weeks".

New Zealand
Laura has indicated she may emigrate to New Zealand, where she was born, and set off from there. Reportedly there are no legal obstacles there to minors embarking on lengthy sea journeys, although children in New Zealand, too, are required to attend school. But emigration does not seem to offer a way out. New Zealand authorities told Dutch daily de Volkskrant on Friday that Ms Dekker can expect to be treated by New Zealand's child protection bodies the same way as in the Netherlands.

The case was brought to the attention of the Dutch Youth Care Bureau by a schools inspector, who observed that Laura would be missing school for two years. All Dutch children are obliged by law to attend school until they are 16 years of age. Their parents are required to ensure they are enrolled in school and actually attend classes.

Earlier solo trips
Not everyone is opposed to the girl's attempt to break the age record for singlehandedly circumnavigating the globe, though. Professional yachtsman Roy Heiner, who made several around-the-world solo trips, told Dutch public broadcaster NOS that Laura's venture might be dangerous, "but so is a trip by car to France". He said she seemed confident and able to pull it off. The record is currently held by 17-year-old Brit Mike Perham, from Potters Bar near London.

The 13-year-old is an experienced sailor, like her parents. She has already made solo crossings of the North Sea, to the dismay of the authorities in the English port of Lowestoft, who briefly detained Laura when her father refused to come over and escort her back across the sea on board her yacht, Guppy. Laura takes after her father Dick Dekker, who as a boy aged 12 set sail from IJmuiden harbour, alone in a sailing boat on the North Sea.

(Additional material by Philip Smet and Johan van Slooten)

Read more: Laura Dekker, born for the waves
 

Listen to a Newsline interview with Laura's lawyer Peter de Lange here: