Coast Guard to hold media availability, public hearing in Oregon for Mary B II investigation

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest Contact: 13th District Public Affairs Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hours: (206) 819-9154 13th District online newsroom

Coast Guard to hold media availability, public hearing in Oregon for Mary B II investigation

 

NEWPORT, Ore. -- The Coast Guard is inviting media and public to attend a formal public hearing, which begins May 13, 2019, at Newport City Hall, to consider evidence related to the Mary B II marine casualty investigation.

The hearing will focus on the capsizing of the commercial fishing vessel Mary B II, which lead to the deaths of three fishermen at the entrance of Yaquina Bay in Newport on Jan. 8, 2019.

The three fishermen were coming into the Yaquina Bay Bar aboard the 42-foot vessel Mary B II when it capsized into the stormy Pacific Ocean with reported waves of 14 to 16 feet high, with occasional waves reaching 20 feet.

The hearing is scheduled to convene at the Newport City Hall at 8 a.m. on May 13 and will continue to May 17, 2019.

The address is 169 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365.

The hearing will also be streamed live each day at: https://livestream.com/accounts/17374493/events/8625145.

The Coast Guard has established an e-mail address for the public and interested parties to provide information, ask questions and make comments related to the ongoing investigation and scheduled hearing. This e-mail will be checked regularly and all correspondence will be acknowledged. The e-mail is MaryBII.uscg@gmail.com.

Throughout the investigation, the Coast Guard will also continue to monitor any email that is sent to accidentinfo@uscg.mil and all information sent to that address will be reviewed and responded to.

Additional information about the hearing, to include the schedule of witnesses, fact sheets and biographies, as well as any future news releases and documentation can be found here: https://www.news.uscg.mil/news-by-region/13th-district-pacific-northwest/mary-b-ii-formal-hearing/.

There will be a media availability on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at 5 p.m. in the Newport City Hall council chambers. Members of the media will have the opportunity to speak with U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Karen Denny, the lead investigating officer for the Mary B II marine casualty investigation.

Media planning to interview Coast Guard spokespeople during the media availability or to attend the hearing must R.S.V.P. by calling 206-819-9154. Press credentials and valid government-issued photo identification is required for media access into the hearing. Members of the public who wish to attend the hearing must present valid government-issued photo identification. There will be a one hour break for lunch each day of the hearing. Lunch will not be provided.

 

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