While I agree with you that Americans (and on a very short rope behind them Canadians and western Europeans) are entirely too risk averse, this particular voyage was foolhardy. Ignoring that fact that she was an young girl, for ANY sailor to undertake that voyage with that boat at that experience level and preparedness at that time of year in that ocean carries with it a high inherent risk of doom. And along with it an unwanted financial burden for those who are called upon to extricate the thrill seeker from their self created predicament.

The inevitable result of too many of these voyages will be either regulation which will include far more prudent sailors, or a blanket reduction in SAR response for small yachts.

People need to take responsibility for the problems they cause, including even, 16 year old girls and their lunatic parents.