Divers alerted marine authorities to small bubbles of fuel escaping from the wreck of the Seafaris yacht, which sank off Cow Bay near Port Douglas last Thursday, October 3. 

According to police, a fire broke out on board the $15 million luxury yacht at around 6.20am that morning, with 16 people on board. 

In an ABC News report, Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Patrick Quirk said the diesel leaks have not been plugged because of the risk of further damage to the hull.

"In the meantime, we're doing regular patrols of the beaches around Cow Bay.

"Yesterday we picked up four ute-loads of rubbish which was deposited to the local tip," Mr Quirk told the ABC.

The eight passengers and eight crew on board were able to get into life boats, and were picked up by a bulk carrier responding to the Seafaris' mayday call.

The rescued people were taken to Cairns, and no serious injuries have been reported. 

The Newsport will provide updates as soon as they become available.