Debris washes ashore after fishermen vanish off Fraser Island

Rescuers searching for two fishermen missing off Fraser Island have found what is believed to be debris from their from sunken trawler.

The debris, found washed ashore, is the only sign so far of experienced deckhand David Chivers, 60, and skipper Matt Roberts, 36, missing since yesterday morning.

Rescue crews, including a private charter paid for by the missing men’s trawler company, have braved rough ocean conditions in a bid to find them.

The two Bundaberg men were on board prawn trawler “Cassandra” that capsized off Fraser Island around 6.45am.

No mayday call was received and none of the trawlers emergency beacons were activated.

It is feared the men did not escape the vessel before it capsized, and face inhospitable conditions if they did.

A flotilla of trawlers joined the search yesterday which also involved two rescue helicopters, a plane and two volunteer marine rescue units.

Water police and two fixed-wing aircraft have patrolled Fraser Island’s eastern beach between Eurong Beach and Indian Rocks. 

A number of volunteer boats have been unable to join the search because of the weather conditions. 

Police are also conducting foot patrols on Fraser Island.

The search area since has been expanded, and is now almost the size of the south east Queensland.

A Facebook post reveals the men had fished at the same location just a fortnight earlier.

A chilling post from Mr Chivers warned the "worst part is [that] outside Fraser [there’s] no shelter for you to anchor out of it”.