A Queensland inquest into the deaths of six fishermen on a trawler that sank in rough seas has heard police divers used touch to find the crew’s bodies.

March 27, 2019

KEY POINTS FROM INQUEST INTO FV DIANNE’S SINKING ON OCTOBER 16, 2017 OFF THE TOWN OF 1770

WHAT WE KNEW AT THE TIME:

* The Dianne rolled in rough seas about 7.30pm with the loss of six crewmen.

* Adam Hoffman, 30, Eli Tonks, 39, Adam Bidner, 33, Zach Feeney, 28, Chris Sammut, 34, and skipper Ben Leahy, 45, died.

* Sole survivor Ruben McDornan clung to the hull until the boat sank about 11pm then trod water all night until he was rescued.

* The bodies of Mr Hoffman and Mr Leahy were recovered by police divers four days after it sank.

* The bodies of the remaining crew have never been found.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT THE MEN AND THEIR FATE?:

* Mr Hoffman and Mr Leahy were trapped in the hull when the Dianne capsized, possibly by a fridge blocking the bunkhouse’s only exit.

* Mr McDornan could hear screams from inside as he clung to the hull.

* After the Dianne sank, Mr McDornan trod water in a two-to-three metre swell until saved the next morning by a couple on a passing yacht who heard his yells.

* All the correct safety gear was aboard but none worked when needed.

* Witnesses say it’s possible ropes on the deck could have wrapped around the Dianne’s propeller disabling it the rough seas.

* Experts say emergency lighting inside the cabin at exit points may have helped the crew.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SEARCH?

* There was a 10-day marine, air and land search for the missing crew before it was scaled back.

* Debris washed up in the Gladstone area, north of Bustard Bay, off 1770, where the Dianne went down.

* The Dianne was located in 30 metres of water about two to three nautical miles off Round Hill Headland on October 20.

* Divers had difficulty reaching the bodies of Mr Hoffman and Mr Leahy because the cabin was full of silt and debris, including mattresses, a fridge, a freezer, blankets and rope.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT THE BOAT?

* Dianne was an 18-metre steel trawler that previously worked in rough conditions as a scallop trawler in Bass Strait.

* Mr Leahy owned the Dianne for about 17 years and used it to fish for sea cucumber between Cape York and Bundaberg.

* The wreck was raised on February 12, 2018 and towed to Bundaberg on February 23.

WHAT IS THE INQUEST FOR?

* Coroner David O’Connell is examining in Gladstone whether the vessel was structurally sound, whether there was adequate safety equipment on board, and if the search and rescue operation was sufficient.

* The inquest will also consider personal location beacons and “grab bags” containing diving masks and portable air tanks for an emergency.