The fishing vessel Sea Lion III has been part of Newport’s fishing fleet since the 1950s. The 47-foot vessel was made locally by E.M. Gerttula in 1943. Ownership changed hands over the years and belonged to Dutch Niemi of Mo’s Enterprises and as of 2010 belonged to Paul Stannard.
A model of the Sea Lion III was donated to the Lincoln County Historical Society by model maker Jerry Bronson in 2010. It is currently on display in the “Beautiful and Wild Oregon Fisheries” exhibit at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. The model is made of fir and balsa and is 3/8 inch to 1 foot in scale.
The Sea Lion III is still in service today and is spotted regularly in Yaquina Bay and the Newport bayfront.
