A fisherman who worked with some of the six men feared dead in a Queensland boating tragedy, has expressed his disbelief at the crew being unable to escape.
Owen Schubert owns a fishing vessel identical to the one that sunk off Queensland on Monday and has claimed that those on-board should have been able to swim out.
The missing men include Adam Bidner, 33, Chris Sammut, 34, Eli Tonks, 39, Zach Feeney, 28, Adam Hoffman, 30, and skipper Ben Leahy, 45, with Ruben McDornan, 32, the sole survivor.
Fisherman Owen Schubert, who worked with some of the six men feared dead in a Queensland boating tragedy, has expressed his disbelief at the crew being unable to escape the vessel (pictured)
The missing men include (clockwise from top left): Adam Hoffman, 30, Zach Feeney, 28, Eli Tonks, 39, Adam Bidner, 33, skipper Ben Leahy, 45 and Chris Sammut, 34
Their trawler the ‘Diane’ was discovered on Friday after an extensive search when sonar detected it two to three nautical miles off Round Hill Headland.
The bodies of the missing fisherman are believed to be entombed on the sunken vessel, with their families told the ‘window of survivability’ has closed.
An outwards opening door has been suggested as potentially sealing their fate, with the water pressure from outside making it impossible to escape, according to The Australian.
However, Mr Schubert said this would have made no difference to the competent and experienced crew and that something had gone ‘really, really wrong’.
‘The boys would have been able to swim out. The wheelhouse is small,’ he told The Cairns Post.
‘I know I could have done it, if there was nothing blocking the way: swim out to the door, open the door and swim to the surface from the bottom.
Ruben McDornan, 32, (pictured) is believed to be the sole survivor with the trawler, the ‘Diane’, discovered on Friday after an extensive search
The bodies of the missing fisherman are believed to be entombed on the sunken vessel, with an outwards opening door suggested as potentially sealing their fate (Pictured is fisherman Zach Feeney)
He said the men should have then been able to make a free ascent out of the door and escaped.
Mr Schubert also recounted talking to Mr Leahy, his friend of 13 years and fellow avid spearfisher, just hours before the vessel got into trouble.
He suspects the proud skipper would have gone to the engine room following the capsizing and could have been electrocuted or rendered unconscious from falling objects.
The crew had been on a trip to collect sea cucumbers or ‘slugs’, with the weather preceding the incident believed to be ‘terrible’, according to survivor Mr McDornan.
Mr McDornan was plucked from the ocean by a passing yacht and told police the vessel had rolled and he was able to make it out.
However, Mr Schubert, who owns an identical fishing vessel, claims the competent crew should have been able to swim out and that something must have blocked their exit (Pictured is Eli Tonks)
Mr Schubert believes the boat’s skipper Ben Leahy (pictured) may have gone to the engine room following the capsize and could have been rendered unconscious
He stated he did not see any of the crew emerge as he clung to the hull of the upturned vessel and that he had heard screams from inside.
After their emotional reunion his wife Sammy revealed her husband was ‘very sad and sore, but OK’ and said she hadn’t given up hope of a miracle.
‘We’re really thankful to the people that rescued Ruben and to all the people out searching for the boys and just for everyone’s support,’ a tearful Ms McDornan said.
‘But unfortunately we don’t really have any other information. We’re so grateful that he’s alive.
‘Our thoughts are with the boys missing at the moment because they’re all like family. So we just need everybody to keep positive for them.’
The crew had been on a trip to collect sea cucumbers or ‘slugs’, with the weather preceding the incident believed to be ‘terrible’ (Pictured is missing man Adam Bidner)
Sole survivor Ruben McDornan stated he did not see any of the crew emerge as he clung to the hull of the upturned vessel (Pictured is Adam Hoffman, who is among those feared dead)
Wetsuits, diving equipment and personal items were found washed ashore earlier this week following the tragedy.
Ferocious winds and high seas hampered the desperate search for the six men.
A recovery operation was launched Saturday morning, with water police remaining at the scene overnight.
Divers were expected to take a closer look at the vessel but it may not be brought up until further assessments are conducted, according to the ABC.
A recovery operation was launched Saturday morning, with water police remaining at the scene overnight (Pictured is Chris Sammut who is among the missing)