Rescued fisherman heard mates' cries for help - as they are feared dead after trawler capsizes
A rescued fisherman has described hearing his crewmates screaming for help after their trawler capsized, as emergency services say hopes of finding the six men alive are fading.
The men were below deck when their sea cucumber fishing trawler, named Dianne, capsized near Middle Island off the central Queensland coast on Monday night.
Ruben McDornan, who was above deck, survived for 12 hours in rough seas until he was rescued by a couple on a passing yacht.
He is understood to have heard his six friends, skipper Ben Leahy, Eli Tonks, Adam Bidner and three others, knocking on the hull and screaming, The Courier Mail reported.
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After Mr McDornan was rescued by the passing vessel, the alarm was raised that the other men were still in danger.
On Tuesday, rescue crews were forced to return to shore with strong winds and torrential rain hampering the search.
Water police and Queensland fisheries boats had scoured patches of debris in the area between Bustard Head and Agnes Water on Tuesday, while a beach patrol and aerial assistance was also underway.
Mr Bidner's mother said she is "waiting in hope" and said her son would never give up.
Search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Jeff Barnett told reporters emergency positioning beacons on board the vessel had not been activated before the trawler sank at midnight.
"It was only through sheer luck that a passing couple on a yacht managed to hear the screams of the individual who was rescued and he raised the alarm," he said.
With the weather tipped to worsen further over the next 24 hours, Sgt Barnett said the likelihood of finding anyone else alive is low.
Crews are expected to resume their search at first light on Wednesday.
