The 35-year-old Tauranga fisherman who, friends say, had salt water in his blood, was only helping out his skipper Rick Josephs by standing in for another crewman, who had a funeral to attend.
Now both men are dead after the Sanford's-owned San Cuvier - captained by Mr Josephs (38), of Northland - hit rocks at Haurere Pt, east of Opotiki, early on Sunday.
Mr Wyatt's body has yet to be found.
Auckland fishermen Chasson Manukau (22) and Thomas Tepania (16) survived after being winched from rocks by helicopter three hours after they abandoned ship in the remote and rugged location.
Mr Wyatt's brother Aidan said yesterday Damian had a year ago met "the love of his life" in Jo, and with her, had last week gone to buy furniture for the home they would buy together.
Damian had been hoping to get a land-based job, Mr Wyatt said.
His brother was a large man, which had earned him the nickname "Beef".
He had recently lost 25kg and was "the fittest he's ever been".
Damian belonged at sea and had fulfilled a life-long dream when he left school at 15 to pursue a career at sea, he said.
"He could not stand being on land for any length of time. The sea was in his blood and she's taken it back. Now that she's taken his life we just want her to release him.
"He used to actually get land-sickness - like we would at sea. How most people are when they are out at sea, he would be like that on land."
Mr Wyatt said his brother had received a commendation for his actions in another maritime emergency off the Northland coast last August, in which his own vessel, the 13m Mana Rose, was wrecked.
Mr Wyatt was forced to deliberately steer the boat on to rocks in Takou Bay after it began taking on water.
He loved the sea so much he was out fishing again the next week, although he decided not to buy another boat and work for others instead.
Mr Wyatt grew up in Tauranga.
He also surfed and was a strong swimmer.
He was a fisherman for about seven years before becoming a qualified skipper.
Mr Wyatt had his own quota with Sanford's and was highly-regarded in the industry.
Details of the accident are still emerging but it is believed Mr Wyatt and Mr Josephs were in the liferaft which capsized.
It has also emerged that rescuers had Mr Wyatt's body in their clutches but the rough weather tore him from the helicopter's winch.
"My brother was in the harness being rescued but he got washed out of the harness. The chopper got low on fuel and they had to leave. When they got back, he was gone."
Police, Maritime New Zealand and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are looking into the accident.
A police-run search and rescue operation is expected to continue by sea and air today.
