Having seen (or rather cleaned up) the remains of what happens when youngsters drive cars, I can imagine that the maturity level of anyone attempting such a feat as a global circumnavigation must be extremely high. Just don't see that kind of thing happening (especially in USA where we tend to coddle children to such an extent we shield them from consequences of immature action).

I liked the earlier post about the other teen that circumnavigated with his parents in a boat behind him. That seems to offer a slightly increased level of safety (repeat SLIGHTLY).

Is there some way the courts are deciding her ability to complete the undertaking safely? Would "proving" herself in some shorter singlehand event (in the same boat) be enough (something like trans-pac)?

I would estimate there is a reason teenagers don't regularly cross the ocean by themselves... Reading those posts from team ROXY during her journey almost made that type of sailing 'pleasant'. If I wasn't such a crumudgeon I'd actually believe that!