31 Oct 2009

Court rules against teen's solo voyage

8:57 pm on 31 October 2009

A Dutch court has ruled against allowing a 14-year-old girl to sail solo around the world.

Laura Dekker, who was born at sea off the coast of New Zealand, wanted to set off on the voyage in August. She was then aged 13.

The court put her under temporary state supervision and ordered that a psychologist assess whether she was mentally and physically prepared for the voyage.

The court in Utrecht has now extended state supervision of Laura until next July.

CNN reports the court also wants more details about the proposed voyage.

The court says it wants to ensure she does not set sail before it is reasonably safe for her to do so.