A beloved father and talented chef has tragically drowned while spearfishing just days before he was due to sail around the world with his family.
Collin Martins, 37, was diving at 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 house he shared with his wife Gabrielle and two young sons, Sol and Louis, aged four and two, to buy a catamaran and sail to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia.
The family planned to go on a 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 traveling to remote islands around the world on surfing trips.
A friend said the father had ambitions to leave hospitality behind and open a surf and dive shop after returning from the trip.
He and his family had sold all their belongings for their adventure, including their house and car.
Father-of-two Collin Martins (pictured) has been identified as the spearfisherman who tragically failed to resurface at Red Bluff in rural Washington on September 17, just days before a family outing
His wife will now have to sell the catamaran she calls home because she cannot sail it alone.
Tributes to the beloved father poured in on social media, with many honoring him as an adventurous man full of love.
“Pursuing one of his passions does not change the deep sadness we feel,” one friend wrote.
“Building a beautiful life full of love and adventure, only to have it suddenly and prematurely disappear, what could be crueler than this blind fate?”
“His spirit and passion were infectious. His openness and directness, authenticity and integrity. Truly a special person. He invited me to stay at his home during a difficult time. I’ll never forget it,” said another.
Darren Haunold, founder of Margaret River winery Wills Domain, remembered Mr Marins as a chef who “worked tirelessly” at the venue.
“We mourn the untimely passing of Collin Martins, an incredible chef, loving partner and devoted father,” Mr. Haunold wrote.
Another local restaurant, The Spot Italiano, announced Sunday that it will be closed to “honor the memory of a dear friend, Collin Martins, who passed away too soon.”
Mr Martins and his family (pictured) had sold most of their belongings to buy a boat and sail to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia for the trip of a lifetime
A GoFundMe has been launched to help Mr Martin’s family.
“On Tuesday, September 17, our beloved, adventurous, free-spirited Coco passed away in a heartbreaking accident,” the fundraiser said.
“Gabrielle, Sol and Louis have lost an admiring husband and father. And his family and friends are devastated that Coco is being taken too soon.
‘Our aim is to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures they face, such as arranging housing and the costs associated with moving and selling the boat.
“We hope this gives them space to grieve and adapt without added stress.”
The fundraiser has received more than $16,000 from 144 donations.