Around-the-world sailor Jessica Watson says the grief is “indescribable” as she mourns the tragic passing of her long-term partner Cameron Dale.
Cam died peacefully aged 29, nearly six weeks after suffering a “catastrophic stroke”.
He was being treated and cared for at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Jess, who drew global attention when she sailed solo around the world as a 16-year-old from the Sunshine Coast, paid tribute to her “long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future”.
“Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centred on messing about on boats,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other.
“Even while experiencing indescribable grief, I feel so grateful for the family, friends, and communities Cam has given me and the person I’ve become with him.
“I take enormous strength from having been so devotedly loved. The years of treasured memories offer enormous comfort.”
“Being Cam’s “Jess” is the role I’m most proud of.”
Jess wrote that Cam’s loved ones would be “forever grateful for the dedicated care he received at the Gold Coast University Hospital”.
Jess and Cam were together for ten years and met through their mutual love of sailing. She told MamaMia in 2019 she loved spending weekends on the water with him.
“It’s a nice thing for us to share and to have in common.”
Jessica, now aged 25, became the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world in 2010 in her pink sailing boat Ella’s Pink Lady, returning to great fanfare in Sydney.
A Netflix biopic of her courageous feat is being filmed on the Gold Coast, based on her book True Spirit: The Aussie Girl who took on the World.
In 2011, Jessica Watson was awarded Young Australian of the Year and in 2012 the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to sailing and as a role model for young Australians.
She is the co-founder of marine start-up Deckee.com, has completed an MBA, authored a second book Indigo Blue.
