Family and friends of the six fishermen who drowned after their trawler capsized in Cairns gathered at a memorial service to honour the men.
Hundreds turned out to remember skipper Ben Leahy and crewmen Adam Hoffman, Adam Bidner, Zachary Feeney, Chris Sammut and Eli Tonks on Tuesday night.
The fishermen drowned when their vessel, the FV Dianne, sank on October 16 in rough conditions.
Grieving friends and family embraced one another at Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns on Tuesday evening.
Family and friends of the six fishermen who drowned after their trawler capsized in Cairns gathered at a memorial service to honour the men on Tuesday night
The word ‘mateship’ adorned the stage at the memorial service for the six fishermen who drowned at sea
The family of Chris Sammut are seen lighting a candle at the memorial service for the lost crew members of the sunken trawler
Six fishermen drowned after their fishing vessel capsized on October 16: Adam Hoffman (top left), Zach Feeney (top centre), Eli Tonks (top right), Chris Sammut (bottom left), skipper Ben Leahy (bottom centre) and Adam Bidner (bottom right)
The families of the men organised the memorial with Cairns Regional Council, with members of the community also invited to attend.
A candle lighting ceremony was held as Cairns Mayor Bob Manning addressed the community.
Mr Manning said the ‘community reflection’ would let the families of the men know they don’t grieve alone.
Sole survivor of the tragedy, Ruben McDornan (centre), points to the sky after lighting a candle at the memorial service
Mr McDorman has reportedly said he did not see any of his crewmates emerge from the boat as he clung to its hull but he heard screams from inside
‘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 following her husband’s resuce
‘In times like this it’s proper that the community come together and grieve with those who have lost loved ones,’ he told reporters beforehand.
‘This community’s been through a couple of whacks like this. I think a couple of years ago with the Murray Street incident, that made us mindful that things like this can happen anywhere.
‘This is another disastrous incident, different in nature, but this community is a compassionate community,’ Mr Manning said.
‘Seven young men went to sea doing what they loved, and then the unthinkable happened,’ Mr Manning earlier told the Cairns Post.
Mr McDornan’s wife Sammy (pictured) revealed her husband was ‘very sad and sore, but OK’ following his rescue two weeks ago
The 32-year-old survivor was saved by a passing yacht around 12 hours after the trawler capsized over two weeks ago
The family of Zach Feeney are seen after lighting a candle at the memorial service for the lost crew members of the sunken trawler FV Dianne in Cairns on Tuesday
Families and friends of the crew of the sunken trawler FV Dianne are seen embracing at a memorial service in Cairns on Tuesday
‘My heart goes out to their families and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’
Crewman Ruben McDornan, 32, the sole survivor of the trawler tragedy, was seen pointing to the sky at the touching service.
Mr McDorman has reportedly said he did not see any of his crewmates emerge from the boat as he clung to its hull but he heard screams from inside.
The 32-year-old survivor was saved by a passing yacht around 12 hours after the trawler capsized over two weeks ago.
The bodies of Adam Hoffman, 30, (left) and skipper Ben Leahy, 45, (right) were recovered five days after the vessel capsized
Grieving friends and family embraced one another at Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns on Tuesday evening
Mr McDornan’s wife Sammy revealed her husband was ‘very sad and sore, but OK’ following his rescue.
‘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 at the time.
All six of the fishermen’s families were in attendance for Tuesday night’s event, partaking in a candle-lighting service.
A candle lighting ceremony was held as Cairns Mayor Bob Manning addressed the community
Family, friends and members of the community were seen carrying flowers and candles at the service
It came a day after police scaled back the search for the remaining four bodies still missing on the wreck.
Family, friends and members of the community were seen carrying flowers and candles at the service.
The touching memorial service was led by Police Chaplain Doug Foster.
The families of the men organised the memorial with Cairns Regional Council, with members of the community also invited to attend
Flowers were left at a memorial service to honour the six fishermen who drowned at sea in Queensland
People of all ages attended the service, with many warm embraces and tears shed for the missing fishermen.
The bodies of skipper Ben Leahy, 45, and crewman Adam Hoffman, 30, were recovered from the wreckage five days after it sunk, police confirmed.
Police recently called off an aerial search for the remaining missing men, although they’ll continue to conduct daily patrols of the shoreline.