A beloved father and talented chef has tragically drowned while spearfishing just days before he was supposed to sail across the world with his family.
Collin Martins, 37, was diving off Red Bluff, a tourist destination about 150km north of Geraldton in Western Australia, on September 17 when he failed to resurface.
He had just sold the home he shared with his wife Gabrielle and two young sons, Sol and Louis, aged four and two, to purchase a catamaran and sail to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia.
The family were planning to leave for the trip last weekend.
Mr Martins, affectionately known as ‘Coco’ by loved ones, grew up near Bordeaux, France, before coming to Sydney with dreams of becoming a chef.
He eventually moved to Margaret River where he bought his first boat and fell in love with travelling to remote islands around the world on surfing trips.
A friend said the father had aspirations to leave hospitality behind him and open a surf and dive shop after returning from the trip.
He and his family had sold all their possessions for their adventure, including their house and car.
Father-of-two Collin Martins (pictured) has been identified as the spearfisher who tragically failed to resurface off Red Bluff in rural WA on September 17 just days before a family trip
His wife will now have to sell the catamaran she calls home as she is unable to sail it alone.
Tributes for the beloved father have poured in on social media, with many honouring him as an adventurous man filled with love.
‘Practicing one of his passions does not change the deep sadness we feel,’ a friend wrote.
‘Building a wonderful life of love and adventure, having it removed suddenly and prematurely, what could be more cruel than this blind fate?’
‘His spirit and passion was infectious. His openness and directness, authenticity and integrity. A truly special human being. Inviting me to stay at his house through a rough patch. I will never forget,’ said another.
Founder of Margaret River winery Wills Domain, Darren Haunold, remembered Mr Marins as a chef who ‘worked tirelessly’ at the venue.
‘We mourn the untimely passing of Collin Martins, a great chef, loving partner and devoted father,’ Mr Haunold wrote.
Another local restaurant, The Spot Italiano, announced on Sunday it will be closed to ‘honour the memory of a dear friend, Collin Martins, who passed away too soon’.
Mr Martins and his family (pictured) had sold most of their possessions to buy a boat and sail to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia on a trip of a lifetime
A GoFundMe has been launched to help Mr Martin’s family.
‘On Tuesday, September 17th, our beloved, adventurous, free-spirited Coco passed away in a heartbreaking accident,’ the fundraiser read.
‘Gabrielle, Sol and Louis have lost an adoring husband and father. And his family and friends are devastated by Coco being taken too soon.
‘Our goal is to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures they will face, such as working out housing, and the fees involved in moving and selling the boat.
‘We hope this will allow them the space to grieve and adjust without added stress.’
The fundraiser has received more than $16,000 from 144 donations.
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