Rodney was born in Sydney and spent much of his young days on tug boats, ferries and cruise boats with his father. Rodney worked as a deckhand on Island Queen Showboat I and on Gone Fishing Charters - Gold Coast, where he accumulated his sea time. On gaining his open coxswains certificate he skippered MV Alibi one of the Gone Fishing fleet. Rodney was promoted to Skipper/Manager of Gone Fishing Charters.