Here is a timeline of the ship's voyage from Incheon:

April 15, 9pm
The Sewol leaves port in Incheon at around 9pm with 475 people and 150 vehicles on board, heading for Jeju Island.

April 16, 8.55am
First contact between vessel and land is made, with officer telling Jeju Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS) "our ship is in danger".

Survivors say passengers were told to remain in cabins.

April 16, 9am
Officer tells Jeju VTS ship is listing to the left and adds "it's impossible to move". Coastguard tells vessel to "wear life jackets and prepare as the people might have to abandon ship".

April 16, 9.05am
Other vessels notified as ferry continues to tilt to the side.

April 16, 9.30am
The coastguard, helicopters and other ships begin to arrive at the scene and rescue passengers who have escaped from the ferry.

April 16, 10am
Rescuers start to search for people in the overturned hull of the Sewol.

April 16, 11.20am
The ferry sinks in the East China Sea.

April 17
Text messages from people on board the ferry reveal passengers were ordered to remain in their seats and cabins as ship began listing.

Crew member Oh Yong-Seok reveals the captain waited 30 minutes before ordering the evacuation as officers tried to stabilise the vessel. By that time, the crew were unable to reach passengers because the ship was titled at such an acute angle.

April 18
Investigators reveal the ship's captain, Lee Joon-Seok, was not at the helm when the Sewol began to list. They are also looking into claims the ship's third mate ordered an abrupt turn around three hours before the vessel was due to arrive at Jeju Island.