It took her 47 days to cross the Indian Ocean. When she arrived at Durban, a city in South Africa, her legs were so weak that she had to practice walking on the dock. "I couldn't fully control my movements," Dekker said on Saint Martin Island. "During the voyage, I sometimes asked myself: 'What are you doing?' But I never thought of giving up. This is my dream and I have to achieve it." During the journey, she often saw dolphins. Near South Africa, she saw whales for the first time, "They dived into the sea in front of the boat and splashed water onto the ship."
At 3 PM local time on the 21st, Dekker sailed her 11.5-meter-long sailboat, the "Guppy," to Saint Martin Island. On January 20, 2011, she set off from here, sailing west. On September 20 of the same year, she celebrated her 16th birthday.
Dekker's parents made their home on a boat. She was born on a boat and took her first solo sail at the age of six. At ten, she conceived the idea of circumnavigating the globe alone. Initially, Dekker planned to set out at the beginning of 2010. However, the Dutch Child Protection Authority believed that Dekker was too young, and single-handed sailing was dangerous, unable to ensure her own safety. The education department said that Dekker should go to school. Subsequently, the Dutch court prohibited Dekker from setting out and placed her under the supervision of child protection officers.
During the voyage, Dekker encountered broken sails, battled harsh weather, slept in a damp bed, narrowly avoided collisions with ships twice, and endured cockroach infestations. At the same time, she found joy in herself: surfing, diving, cliff jumping, and playing the flute.
Dekker fled to Saint Martin Island but was returned home by the police. In July 2010, the Dutch court ruled that as long as Dekker's parents agreed, she could set sail. On August 21, 2010, she departed from Gibraltar, changing her plan and making Saint Martin Island her starting point.
The previous record was set by Australian teenager Jessica Watson, who took 210 days to complete her round-the-world voyage in May 2010, just three days short of her 17th birthday.
Watson did not stop during her voyage, whereas Dekker made multiple stops, including Panama, the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji, Australia, and South Africa. About 400 people welcomed Dekker at the Saint Martin Island dock. She cried tears of joy and waved to the crowd accompanied by her family.
The Guinness World Records organization and the World Sailing Speed Record Council previously announced that they would not recognize the youngest record for circumnavigation because such activities are too dangerous for minors. Some people supported Dekker's actions. American girl Jody Bell, aged 10, is Dekker's "fan" and went to the dock with her mother Merlin to welcome Dekker. Their T-shirts read: I am crazy about the "Guppy" sailboat. "My daughter and I have been following Laura," said Merlin. "We think she is amazing. We are inspired." Dekker originally planned to head to New Zealand after completing her voyage. On the 21st, she said she would first focus on finishing her studies.
Sixteen-year-old Dutch girl Laura Dekker arrived at Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean on the 21st, becoming the youngest person to sail around the world alone.
The Guinness World Records organization and the World Sailing Speed Record Council previously announced that they would not recognize the youngest record for circumnavigation because such activities are too dangerous for minors. Some people support Dekker's actions. American girl Jody Bell, aged 10, is Dekker's "fan" and went to the dock with her mother Merlin to welcome Dekker. Their T-shirts read: I am crazy about the "Guppy" sailboat. "My daughter and I have been following Laura," said Merlin. "We think she is amazing. We are inspired." Dekker originally planned to head to New Zealand after completing her voyage. On the 21st, she said she would first focus on finishing her studies.