Pacific Tug has completed the salvage of the fishing trawler FV Dianne, which overturned in stormy seas off 1770 on 16 October, taking the lives of six of the seven crew members on board. It sparked one of the largest ever marine search operations conducted by Queensland Police.
The salvage operations commenced at the end of November 2017 with PT Zarka and Stradbroke, laden with the required equipment, mobilising from Brisbane. Weather conditions were not favourable and early into the operation, it was decided to deploy PT Fortitude to take over from PT Zarka.
The project included the extensive use of divers and the equipment required to dive at great depth. Weather was not kind to us throughout the project, however with the use of air bags, the vessel was partially raised on 12 February and vessel was towed into Port of Bundaberg on 20 February 2018. The operation was highly complex due to the depth of the water in which the vessel lay, its position, and also unfavourable weather conditions which prevailed over a sustained period of time. In addition, it was critical to the project to keep the vessel intact for further investigation.
The operation was supported by Bay Lass, skippered by Steve Wrayford, who completed the final movement of the vessel to Bundaberg Marina.
The Pacific Tug personnel involved, under the leadership of Mick Dunn are to be commended for their professionalism and hard work under difficult circumstances in completing the highly sensitive salvage operation.
Pacific Tug were proud to complete this project and play some part in helping bring closure to families of the lost fisherman. Our thoughts are with the surviving crew member and the families of those who were lost.
