The sole known survivor of a fishing vessel that sank off the central Queensland coast has been reunited with his family as authorities try to find the bodies of his six crewmates.
Skipper Ben Leahy, 45, and crew members Adam Hoffman, 30, Eli Tonks, 39, Adam Bidner, 33, Chris Sammut, 34, and Zach Feeney, 28, are presumed dead after the Dianne capsized off the town of 1770 on Monday night.
Ruben McDornan clung to the boat's hull for hours as his crewmates screamed for help from below deck.
He then treaded water in open seas before being saved by a couple on a passing yacht who heard his yells for help.
Mr McDornan had remained close to the search zone, recounting to police just what had happened and helping authorities to narrow the focus of their search.
He was reunited with his family in Gladstone on Thursday, as the families of his crewmates remained hopeful of a miracle survival.
With dressings on his feet and knees, Mr McDornan limped from a chopper towards his wife and mum, with the trio embracing before seeking shelter from wild weather conditions that have hampered efforts to find the missing men.
"Reuben is very distressed regarding this incident and is concerned for the welfare of his friends who remain missing, and their families," Queensland Police said in a statement.
"He and his family wish to thank everyone for their thoughts and support."
Meanwhile, Mr Tonks' family thanked emergency services and the community for trying to find the father-of-two.
"We have not given up hope and will not give up until they are found," it said.
"Eli is a beloved partner, son, brother, friend and loving father of two."
Mr Tonks' fiancee, Ana James, said he would not have given up without a fight.
"Most of us continue to hold onto hope that he's kicked back on one of the islands with a coconut in hand - because that's the kind of guy he is. Fearless and capable of anything."
Police have conceded the search and rescue operation would move to a recovery phase as the chances of the men being found alive diminished.
"The time frame for survival has passed," Sergeant Jeff Barnett told reporters.
"We're at that period now we have to move to the recovery phase."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said significant resources had been put towards locating the men.
"We've got police divers out there. We've got police vessels out there," she said.
"They showed me photos this morning that there's four metre waves, so it's still quite extreme and dangerous and of course the air search is hampered by the weather as well."
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