An inquest into the death of a guest on a corporate cruise in waters off Perth has heard large waves struck the charter boat, sending at least one passenger into the air.
Mortgage broker Damien Mills, 35, was among more than 30 guests on the Dolphin Dive Centre vessel for an end-of-year networking event organised by home loans provider Pepper Group on October 31, 2014.
The boat returned to Fremantle that afternoon without Mr Mills and his body was found the next day floating 5.5km off Leighton Beach.
The four-day inquest, which began on Tuesday, heard sea conditions worsened during the day, making for a rough and uncomfortable journey.
On the return trip, blinds were pulled down to enclose a portion of the rear deck, but the sides of the boat and the stern next to an esky containing drinks were open.
One or two large waves struck the vessel around an area known as "Southern Leads", which is known for greater exposure to wind and swell coming from the south.
The boat lurched and several passengers who weren't hanging on to a fixed object were thrown around the deck.
One hit a bench and got a bloody nose, while another passenger who was hanging on to a support said his feet became temporarily airborne.
No passenger can recall seeing Mr Mills after that time.
Last year, Dolphin Dive Centre and its sole director and skipper Daniel Lippiatt were fined a total of $6500 after being found guilty of three liquor licensing and sales-related charges following a trial in Perth Magistrates Court, which heard many of the guests were clearly intoxicated.
Pepper Group was in 2015 fined $10,000 in the same court for supplying alcohol without a licence.
- AAP