Together with 6 other teenagers and some staff members from Visionquest, Robert Doyle Erwin died in the Gulf of California, when the boat he was sent on went down with all hands lost.
Was it sound to sent such a untrained crew out in such dangerous waters? Maybe! But still today you find many companies in different countries sending so-called at-risk teenagers out sailing in foreign waters.
In May 2008 the authorities in Spain found a Danish boy wandering around on a normally deserted island. Further investigation revealed that he had been marooned for some days so he could think about his behavior onboard the ship. Responsible behavior on the part of the staff? Some might at least state that it is questionable.
For the family of Robert Doyle Erwin the downing in the Gulf of California was a tragedy they had to share with 6 other families. Hopefully this tragedy will never be repeated.
References:
Victims - 1980's (Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora Wiki)
Teen's sailing tour ends in storm disaster, Star-News - 28 Nov 1980
Un menor es abandonado en un islote en Fuerteventura como castigo por portarse mal, diario direct, May 22 - 2008 (In Spanish)
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