There are no limits when your family is wealthy. Put Pedro on a log raft and world opinion would be much different.

It is never safe.  The question for you (if you are a parent) is would you allow your child to do it?  Even with the most comprehensive training in the world, my answer is no.  There are too many unknowns and there is nothing you can do about it once they set sail.

I've been thinking of writing a post about this very topic, you beat me to it.

Yes, you are very right, Nitro. This was going to be part of the post I was thinking of writing.  I do not think this is brave or courageous.  This is just people trying to make a name for themselves for being a neonate.  Aren't there better things for teens to be doing.

If I were some pirates, I would find these teens.  Their routes are always thoroughly mapped out.  You know that mommy and daddy obviously have enough money.  Now with the possibility of a book deal, heck, kidnapping them would just up the booking price.

I think Abby's brother saw some pirates approaching his ship.

Isn't there a wiser way to use your money.  In 10 years no one is going to remember any of those names.

A crappy used 30 ft boat would cost around $3000 to $5000.  Then there is the need to fix it up.  Probably be a couple tens of thousands of dollars.

I'm surprised no one has went from the northern most tip of North America and driven (with a car) to the Southern most tip of South America.  Or better yet the western most part of Serbia to eastern most part of Spain.  Oh yeah, most of South American countries wouldn't be safe for a rich teenager driving their car down there.

What gets people excited about the whole thing IS the element of danger.

Sure, it is possible to do it. But it is an unnecessary risk, something can happen and your juvenile dies in the prime of their life (I wouldn't call a 16-18 year old child).

It is a perverse attempt at 15 minutes of glory (and it really is only 15 minutes, nobody will remember them in the long term).

Is it child negligence to do so? yes, yes it is. But if the "child" is legally an adult it is their choice and nothing you can do about it.

That is it in a nut shell.  Some parents do not see exposing their children to unnecessary risks as life has enough.  Others think that since there is risk in every day activities, one more is not going to make much difference.

Yeah there is, you don't supply them with the money to do it.  Force them to work for it on there own.  You don't provide any assistance at all.  I'm sure nearly all if not all of these parents have assisted in most of the project in various manners. I'm sure most of those kids probably never got told no before in their lives.

I didn't supply them with the money, nor did the government... their parents supplied them with the money.

I think you misunderstood what I meant by "You"; obviously "You" was not the parents, since the whole premise of the article is whether or not the parents who send their children on such a trip are committing a crime. Also, even if I was talking about "you" being the parent of a legal adult who wants to do that then not paying for the trip is not going to stop them from it. They will raise the money and do it anyways. (but still, you shouldn't pay for it).

As for the kids never being told no in their life... that is an interesting way to look at it. Most have come at it from the angle of the whole thing being the parents idea, who push this life endangering journey on a juvenile in order to give said juvenile and themselves 15 minutes of fame. You are the first to suggest that this is spoiled children demanding to do such a thing and their reluctant parents cave in and pay for it all.

If that were true then there would be no reason NOT to smoke, since we are already exposed to carcinogens anyways.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear.  I meant THE PARENTS should not supply the kids money.  I'm willing to gamble to say that most of those kids got A LOT of help from their parents.  If anything happens, the parents should be liable.  We shouldn't split the ticket by any means.  If our navy has to go get the child then the parents should have to fork over the money or reimburst the tax payer.

Some parents do  not care.  Again, it is a matter of parental choice.  I know my sister and ex both think that way!  I am of the other side that thinks there is enough risk.