Mum Emma Jones gives birth to baby on ambulance ferry after trip across Moreton Bay from Russell Island

A young mum from a bay island gave birth to her son after a 20-minute boat trip across Moreton Bay to the Redland Bay ferry terminal, leaving the ferry skipper in awe. WARNING: GRAPHIC

Born at the Redland Bay ferry terminal: happy family mum Emma Jones holds her newborn Phoenix Jones with her mum Rhonda and her six-year-old son Kalais. Picture: Contributed

Redland tiny tot Phoenix Jones will always be able to claim he is a water baby after being born on a boat trip across Moreton Bay last week.

Mum Emma Jones, 30, was at home on Russell Island when she went into labour in the early hours of Wednesday, April 26 and called the island’s ambulance service.

Within 20 minutes, the young mum was bundled onto an ambulance stretcher before being driven to the island’s ferry terminal where the water ambulance was waiting to take her to Redland Bay.

She was accompanied by her mum Rhonda Jones.

‘Water baby’ Phoenix Jones takes his first breath after being born on a Moreton Bay water ambulance at Redland Bay ferry terminal. Picture: Contributed

“Thank goodness mum was there to hold my hand — but I did feel safe in the hands of the guys on the ferry who really made me comfortable,” she said.

“It’s a 20-minute trip from Russell Is to the mainland and I was still having contractions when we got to the ferry terminal at Redland Bay, where there was another ambulance waiting.

“The ambos asked me if I could walk but I was pretty busy at that stage and just had to stay put and keep pushing.

“As soon as he popped out, I felt major relief and one of the ambulance officers told me he definitely had good lungs.

“It will be interesting to see what is put on his birth certificate as place of birth.

“It was a special moment that I will never forget even though it seems a bit surreal now.”

Phoenix was born at 2.44am tipping the scales at 2.95kg (6lb5oz) and will be the younger brother to Kalais, 6.

Emma Jones cuddles her newborn baby Phoenix moments after he is born on a Moreton Bay water ambulance. Picture: Contributed

Ms Jones’ mum cut the umbilical cord and ambulance officers and the Sealink skipper made sure little Phoenix was wrapped up and warm before the trio got into a waiting ambulance and were taken to Redland Hospital.

Both were released to travel back to the island via public ferry six hours later.

It was the first time on the ambulance ferry for staff member Steven Spencer who asked if he could sit in as part of his training.

“What an awesome night,” Mr Spencer wrote on Facebook.

“He was brought into this world at 02.44hr and (you) Emma did really well congrats to you all. I had to wake the wife and tell her.”

Originally published as Mum Emma Jones gives birth to baby on ambulance ferry after trip across Moreton Bay from Russell Island