14 Year old Dutch girl given green light for solo circumnavigation

Dutch teenage sailor Laura Dekker can start her journey to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, as long as her parents agree to let her go, a Dutch court ruled on Tuesday.

Dekker, 14, had intended to start a two-year solo voyage round the world in September 2009 financed by sponsors, but a court blocked her departure and placed her under state supervision, saying the trip was a risk to her safety.

Earlier this month Dutch child welfare authorities had requested a year's extension to their supervision of Laura.

However, the court in the southwestern town of Middelburg ruled on Tuesday that she could attempt the record voyage provided that both her parents gave their consent.

The court ended state supervision and placed Laura back into the full responsibility of her parents.

The ruling effectively means Laura will attempt the voyage, given that her father, whom she lives with, is in favour of the journey.

Laura's mother had initially opposed the journey but now supports the planned trip.