Snagged net likely caused capsize

A NAVAL architect gave evidence into the joint inquest of two sunken fishing vessels and possible causes of how a 17m commercial trawler capsized, taking its skipper and deckhand to the depths.

The ongoing inquest held at the Coroners Court at Gladstone continues to shed new light into the tragic sinking of fishing vessels, Cassandra off the Fraser Coast on April 4, 2016, and Dianne off Seventeen Seventy on October 16, 2017.

Skipper Matthew Neil Roberts, 61, and crewman David Barry Chivers, 36, are missing and it’s suspected they died in the sinking of Cassandra.

Among those giving evidence was Australian Maritime Safety Authority naval architect Douglas Matchett, who provided insight into possible causes of Cassandra’s capsize.

Mr Matchett said one of the possibilities was that a net on the starboard side became snagged in a hook-up.

According to the AMSA website, “one of the most dangerous situations you can experience on a trawler is getting hooked-up”.

Mr Matchett said it was possible once Cassandra was caught in the hook-up, the vessel started to lean to the side.

He described to the court a “righting turn”, which is a vessel’s way of compensating when pulled to one side.

Mr Matchett said it was possible Cassandra then turned to the port-side. He said sometimes the righting turn could be greater than the initial turn, causing a capsize.

Previous evidence revealed that the trawler nets had been partly wound up. One of the nets was also partly torn.

Coroner David O’Connell said based on that evidence, it could be concluded that the crew “tried to free” the net from the snag, causing the weight to shift to the port side, causing the vessel to capsize.

The inquest will continue today.