crab-boat

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard is launching a formal investigation into the capsizing of a crab fishing boat off the Oregon coast that resulted in the death of all three men aboard, one of whom was a native of Joyce, Washington.

On the night of Tuesday, January 8 the 42-foot Mary B II capsized off Newport, Oregon as it tried to cross a notoriously treacherous sandbar while facing down 15-foot breakers and a building storm. Authorities recovered the bodies of Captain Stephen Biernacki, James Lacey (both from New Jersey), and Joshua Porter within the next 12 hours. Porter, who was 50, had been living in Toledo, Oregon but a family member told KONP that he attended elementary through high school in the Crescent School District in Joyce.

Their boat was one in a lineup of vessels that had emptied from the crabbing grounds Tuesday night, escorted by 3 Coast Guard vessels that were there to light the way and help guide them all safely over the sandbar.

Initial reports say the Mary B II strayed north of the range line as it approached the bar, exposing it to breakers off a shallow area commonly called the Dumping Grounds, and was hit by a set of massive waves.

The marine casualty investigation will be led by Cmdr. Karen Denny of the Marine Safety Unit in Portland. Denny will later issue a report with possible safety recommendations to prevent future incidents.

The Newport Fishermen’s Wives have set up a fund to help the families of the deceased. Donations can be made by going to newportfishermenswives.com/and clicking the “Donate” button. Checks can also be mailed to Newport Fishermen’s Wives, P.O. Box 971, Newport, OR 97365

(Photo by permission of Newport News Times)

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