Fundraiser to support family of Collin ‘Coco’ Martins after Gascoyne drowning tragedy

The Margaret River community has been asked to rally around a family who lost their father in tragic circumstances last month on the cusp of a planned great life adventure.

Keen waterman Collin “Coco” Martins died while fishing and diving off Red Bluff in WA’s north on Tuesday, September 17.

He disappeared while in the ocean, sparking a major sea search and rescue effort off the Gascoyne coast, but his body was not recovered until two days later.

The father-of-two’s death has left his family in tragic circumstances, worsened by their plans to embark on a grand sailing adventure on a boat they had recently bought and was still docked in French Polynesia without permits for Australian waters.

Mr Martins and his wife Gabrielle, along with their children Sol and Louis, had sold all of their possessions — even the family car — in preparation for their odyssey.

Instead, Ms Martins and her children are now scrambling to pick up the pieces in the wake of her husband’s death.

Family friend Tansie Bennetts has started an online fundraising campaign to help the family in their time of need.

“Gabrielle, Sol and Louis have lost an adoring husband and father,” she said.

“And his family and friends are devastated by Coco being taken too soon.

“The sudden loss of Coco has left Gabrielle and her two young boys facing a difficult and uncertain time. To help support them through this extremely difficult period, friends of the family are setting up this fundraiser to assist the family the best way we can.”

Fellow supporter Marina Owens told the Times Coco was a great father and a lifelong adventurer.

“He was so excited in life and was trying to recruit us and others to follow the dream of living simply on a boat,” she said.

“He couldn’t believe his luck of living his dream with his family by his side, raising the boys in an alternative way to the standard suburban lifestyle.

“And it was taken away too soon.”

Mr Martins’ family were still too upset to comment, but friends said the support of community members touched by their plight was appreciated.

Paddle-outs were held in the Gascoyne and at Gracetown at the weekend.

To help the family, visit gofundme.com/f/collin-coco-martins.