I can't believe people think this is a good idea

To let a 16 year old sail solo around the world in a 40 foot sailboat. So now a distress signal has been received, and help is two days away. The parents here should be prosecuted. Her course takes her through some of the most pirate infested waters in the world (off Somalia, and through Indonesia)

What astounds me even more are the comments to this story, defending the parents and thinking that this is actually a wise thing to allow your 16 year old daughter to do.