Three Fishermen Die When Their Boat Capsizes By Yaquina Bay Bar

PORTLAND, OR – Three fishermen died Tuesday night when their boat capsized off of Newport. The men – two from New Jersey and one from Oregon – were near the Yaquina Bay bar when their ship was likely rolled by high seas.

The Coast Guard had been notified around 10 p.m. that a boat needed help crossing the bar because of the rough waters.

Within about 15 minutes, the Coast Guard was notified by Oregon State Police that the boat – the Mary B II – had capsized with three on board.

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In addition to the ship that was already on its way to help, the Coast Guard also dispatched a helicopter to assist in the search for the men.

That crew quickly found 48-year-old James Lacey from South Toms River, NJ in the ocean. They rushed him to Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport where he was pronounced dead.

Around 12:30 a.m., Newport firefighters found 50-year-old Josh Porter from Toledo, OR by Nye Beach. he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Mary B II later ran aground on the north side of the Yaquina Bay North Jetty.

With the boat, officials found its skipper, 50-year-old Stephen Biernacki from Barnegat Township, NJ. He was pronounced dead there.

Photo of a Coast Guard ship responding to the capsizing of the Mary B II via Oregon State Police.