Wedding before the Mast

Many thanks to Captain Triko for this story about the Joshua C and her crew as they head off on voyages anew.

The Joshua C is a fine 80’ schooner that has been 10 years in the making. Since kissing the tide she has been lying on the northern bank of Petrie Creek a shallow muddy tributary of the Maroochy River on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

A few weeks ago on a particularly high tide, the Joshua C successfully separated herself from the mud and cane fields of Petrie Creek and motored two miles downstream and under the David Low Way bridge. A crane had come and pulled her masts from her in order to pass below the span which carries the 4 lanes of traffic linking the northern and southern Sunshine Coast. She was heading to a new berth just to the seaward side of the bridge to make final preparations for crossing the Maroochy River Bar on the next big tide.

A most impressive looking ship with a draught of 8’ all this very public maneuvering has attracted plenty of local interest. In fact due to the shoal nature of the Maroochy River (there are no keel yachts moored in her environs) many bottles of rum have been wagered on the successful transit of the Joshua C from the mud to the open sea.

So confident is Robin Cook the proud owner and builder of the Joshua C that space in the main cabin has been cleared to accommodate the booty of rum soon to be collected. Since moving to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney many years ago Robin who is a shipwright has been working building and repairing boats of many different types. His boat building work includes the most popular traditional Noosa River ferries owned and operated by his friend and local identity Donald McBride.

Robin has built his ship with the help of many people including young homeless and unemployed youth who were offered deck or cabin space to call their own whilst engaged in the building project. Some of these youth have learnt valuable and traditional skills and during their time on the Joshua C have been infected with the zeal for a life of adventure and a resolve to succeed. No wonder then that Robin has a reputation for imparting his romantic enthusiasm for people and a life on the ocean wave. Not to mention the songs of Jimmy Buffet that get priority playtime on the good ship’s sound system.

And so it was that at 0800 hrs on April 29 the clean and tidy and most spacious decks of the Joshua C were packed with a multitude of friends and family to celebrate the marriage of Robin and his darling shipmate Annette De Bono. “ Before this mast “ began the wedding vows and not without much humor as an outboard fishing boat roared past sending the crowd on board looking for a handhold. Barefoot and standing on a coiled hawser the two sailors completed the ceremony with an exchange of rings at the base of the fore mast under a cloudless sky. The sun laughed down on the Joshua C and the ship’s bell was given a fair striking to announce the start of a beautiful life for Robin and Annette together. The revelry of all aboard the Joshua C then began as wedding cake and champagne were distributed around the deck.

At approximately 2100 hrs on May 6 there will be a 2.65 metre high tide at the entrance to the Maroochy River and that in conjunction with fair weather and a low swell is what Robin needs to win or lose his wager of rum booty. Once across the Maroochy bar the Joshua C will head for the fishing port of Mooloolaba and a berth at the Mooloolaba Yacht Club. From there final preparations will be made for the long dreamed of passage up the Queensland coast before crossing the Coral Sea to spend time in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. Many of those present at Robin and Annette’s wedding are hoping to spend time crewing the Joshua C during her island hopping adventures. A most welcoming host and charming hostess offering love and friendship not to mention assistance when needed will be the lot of any lucky visitor invited aboard the wonderful Joshua C.

Fair winds and smooth seas to you Robin and Annette.

Captain Tricko

One man band, sailorman, artist , writer, urger has lived aboard for ten years. My main accomplishment is recovery from frozen shoulder and having my name on a statue honoring Matthew Flinders in Hervey Bay. I also surf a bit and don’t mind a bit of hastily organised fishing.