( CNN ) -- The 16-year-old California girl rescued from her stricken boat in the Indian Ocean says she is `` safe and sound '' and argues that her age should n't be blamed for the problems she encountered while at sea . `` Storms are part of the deal when you set out to sail around the world , '' Abby Sunderland wrote in a blog on her website dated Saturday . `` As for age , since when does age create gigantic waves and storms ? '' Criticism has emerged that she was too young to embark on such a journey , which apparently has ended . Abby lost satellite contact on Thursday and issued a distress call after what was described as a rogue wave hit the boat , damaging its mast and communications equipment . A French fishing vessel reached a remote area in the Indian Ocean on Saturday morning to fetch her . `` There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation ; my age , the time of year and many more , '' Abby said in the blog . She added that `` it was just a Southern Ocean storm . '' `` The truth is , I was in a storm and you do n't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm . '' It will be several weeks before she is home in California , rescuers said . Her parents praised people from France and Australia for their help in reaching their stranded daughter . `` Their professionalism and the great value that they placed on Abby 's life has been a gift to us that we can never repay . Thank you for caring for our daughter as if she were your own , for answering all of our many questions cheerfully and completely and for going above and beyond our wildest expectations to keep Abby safe , '' Laurence and Marianne Sunderland said in a post on the girl 's website . The parents , who also briefed reporters in Thousand Oaks , California on Saturday said they were overjoyed their daughter was found . As for her boat , Wild Eyes , it had to be left in the middle of the ocean , and Abby said she 's `` still trying to get over the fact that I will never see my Wild Eyes again . '' Responding to questions from reporters on whether Abby was too young to take such a voyage , her father defended her skill . `` What this is about is a young lady who has a great skill on the ocean and a passion for bluewater sailing . She 's a remarkable young lady and has done a remarkable job on 'Wild Eyes ; sailing it over half way around the world , '' he said .
Teen sailor should be back home in weeks . Abby says 'storms are part of the deal ' ' Comment: