My husband always dreamed of distant oceans. With a volunteer crew, I gave him a sailor’s farewell

Marie and John on their yacht, The Pearl Bay, in the 1980s Photograph: Marie Jansen

I feel the ocean swell beneath the keel as we leave the Mooloolaba harbour entrance training walls, heading out to sea. I was right here 44 years ago, our course set for Moreton Bay.

Then, we were aboard Pearl Bay, our beautiful cruising ketch, a labour of love and another dream fulfilled for my husband, John. After a harrowing experience crossing the Wide Bay Bar, we spent a week recuperating in this quiet, almost-deserted harbour, its coast guard “headquarters” nothing but an ageing caravan.