Teen sailor Abby Sunderland hires talent agent

Rescued teen sailor Abby Sunderland has hired a talent agent and will use her public profile to “inspire others to follow their dreams,” her spokesman said.

Sunderland, 16, signed Lyall Mercer, head of an Australian-based public relations and talent management firm, to handle her business affairs. Mercer had been serving in a pro bono capacity as Sunderland’s spokesman during the last few weeks.

Public fascination over Sunderland’s aborted attempt to sail around the world by herself has raised her profile significantly, Mercer said in a statement released this week.

“Abby is very marketable,” he said. “She is popular across the world, has followed her dream, overcome challenges and survived. She is an inspiration.”

Sunderland was plucked from the Indian Ocean by a fishing vessel last month after her 40-foot sloop Wild Eyes was hit by a giant wave and lost its mast. Supporters hailed the girl’s adventurous spirit, but detractors criticized her parents for allowing her to take the trip.

Mercer debunked media reports that Sunderland is on her way to Australia to personally thank her rescuers. The teen is resting at home with her family, including a new baby brother, after a “huge few weeks,” Mercer said.

Sunderland wasn’t available for comment Wednesday. But her mother, Marianne Sunderland, said her daughter hasn’t decided what kinds of projects she wanted to do other than writing a book about her adventure.

Most likely she will choose things that allow her to speak to other teenagers, Marianne Sunderland said.

“She’d like to do some speaking with youth and encourage them to dream,” she said, “to let them know that it’s not impossible to make things happen.”

For now, she is settling back into life with six siblings, her mother said, and sharing a room with her 5-year-old sister, Katherine.

Other than a news conference, Abby Sunderland’s only public appearance since returning to her Thousand Oaks home was a Fourth of July parade in Duarte, Mercer said. But he didn’t rule out a trip to Australia, saying the family was working out the details.

catherine.saillant@latimes.com