The Ship Report: Recent Episodes
Joanne Rideout
It’s a good time of year to talk about holidays at sea, for sailors who are often far from home.
The post Holidays at sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve seen a maritime story in the news recently about a barge that was taking on water in BC waters with containers on board. The story highlights how widely barges are used in marine commerce, although most of us don’t notice they’re out there, functioning as an integral part of the chain of commerce.
In rural areas, they can also be a vital way for people to ship goods locally in a way that is much less expensive than other means.
The post Barges: an integral part of the chain of commerce appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at who’s on the river today, cargoes and anchorages.
The post A look at ships and cargo appeared first on The Ship Report.
The weather is about to do its thing again: wind, rain and elevated seas. Ships are coming and going as usual, so far. And for those feeling down about our short days, consider Utqiagvic or Barrow, Alaska, which saw its last sunset of the year earlier this week.
The post A look at the weather, the ship schedule, and a note about short winter days appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear the third and final segment of my interview with Carmen Perez, a long distance paddler who recently traveled 1200 miles in her canoe with her dog, Zuri.
They traveled for two months, from the headwaters of the Columbia River in British Columbia to Clatsop Spit in Oregon, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean.
The post Our third and final interview segment with long distance paddler Carmen Perez appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear more from my interview with Carmen Perez, the gal who last week ended her two-month long journey canoeing the entire length of the Columbia River, from its headwaters in British Columbia, Canada, to Clatsop Spit in Oregon. She made the trip with her loyal dog, Zuri, a border collie mix.
The post More from Carmen Perez, the gal who just canoed the length of the Columbia River with her dog appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear from Carmen Perez, a 22-year old solo long distance canoeist, who last week finished her two-month, 1200 mile solo journey (with her dog!) from the headwaters of the Columbia to Clatsop Spit.
The post Carmen Perez, 22-year old solo canoeist, ends her 1200 mile journey down the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve got some weather coming in, and we’ll look at who’s on the river today in terms of arriving and departing cargo vessels.
The post A look at who’s on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, as a follow-up to yesterday’s show about the sinking of the ore-carrier Edmund Fitzgerald 50 years ago on Lake Superior in 1975, we’ll hear an interview with local resident Reid Johnson, who is now retired from the Coast Guard. He was 19 years old in1975, and serving on a USCG ship on Lake Huron the night the Fitz was lost in a storm.
We’ll also hear a poem from Fisher Poet Clem Starck about his real life experience hearing a nearby sister ship sink in a storm, while he himself was at sea within radio range, but unable to help.
The post Mighty Fitz follow up – interview with a Coast Guardsman appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today marks 50 years since the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior on November 10, 11975 in Lake Superior. The Mighty Fitz, as she was called, was caught in the midst of a fierce storm with hurricane force winds. The ship was 17 miles from port when she was lost. All 29 members of her crew perished.
This incident is commemorated in regional ceremonies each year, as residents honor these lost mariners, and all those who have lost their lives over the years in thousands of wrecks on the Great Lakes.
Today we honor all mariners and their families, and recognize that despite safety improvements over the years, maritime work remains among the most dangerous profession worldwide.
The post The 50th anniversary of the wreck of the famous Great Lakes ore carrier, the Edmund Fitzgerald appeared first on The Ship Report.
I’m afraid it ‘s more weather – we’ll take a look at a forecast from UW meteorologist Cliff Mass that bears watching, predicting a big atmospheric river headed our way next week.
The post Big atmospheric river in store next week appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’re looking at our evolving weather, and ships traveling on the river, with a “there but for the grace of God go I” moment of humility and solidarity for those in the path of Hurricane Melissa – which is battering Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba with sustained winds of 185 mph.
The post A look at our evolving weather, and good thoughts for those in the path of Hurricane Melissa appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at who’s traveling on the river, including tugboats and a Military Sealift Command vessel. And a look at the next round of weather headed our way.
The post Who’s on the river, and what’s next for the weather? appeared first on The Ship Report.
With so much misinformation flying around on social media, and more bad weather on the way this week. I thought it would be helpful to share some trusted resources you can use to keep yourself up to date with trusted weather, road and emergency info.
The post Accurate sources for weather (marine and land-based), road and emergency info appeared first on The Ship Report.
The stormy weather we’ve been promised all week is arriving today – be ready for gusty winds and heavy rain. We may see interruptions in ship traffic today and through the weekend.
The post Stormy weather is upon us – get ready for wind and rain, and possible power outages appeared first on The Ship Report.
Ship captains don’t like the coastal jet much. It’s a quirky local weather phenomenon that can cause the weather to get worse the closer approaching ships get to the Columbia River Bar.
Today we’ll hear from Capt. Thron Riggs, who spent many years as a Columbia River Bar pilot, explaining what a coastal jet is.
The post The coastal jet is here again – a disconcerting weather quirk of our maritime environment appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the USS Plainview, a once-innovative, prototype hydrofoil ship design that was decommissioned by the Navy in the 1960s. She ended up sidelined by her civilian owner after plans to make her into a seafood processing vessel didn’t pan out. She remains, partially dismantled, on the shores of the Columbia on the Washington side of the river, a few miles east of the Megler Bridge, beached on private property.
Today we’ll take a look at her once exciting history, and why she remains where she is.
The post The USS Plainview, a relic of lower Columbia history, beached in the shallows of Hungry Harbor appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at this week’s weather, which seems poised to take things up a notch in terms of stormy conditions. We’ve got an atmospheric river event coming out way. We’ll see how it shakes out.
The post We’ve got some weather comin’ in appeared first on The Ship Report.
Last weekend a typhoon his western Alaska north of the Aleutians, with devastating consequences for coastal communities there. A reminder to all of us who live on the edge of the world, that most of our weather comes to us from the ocean.
The post A look at Alaska’s recent coastal weather disaster appeared first on The Ship Report.
In the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides of March marked the 15th of that month, and a fateful day in history for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s play, named for him, the story recounts a historical fact: that Caesar was assassinated on March 15 (The Ides of March) in the year 44 BC.
Thanks to Shakespeare, that term “ides” persists in our culture, but it’s not just March. October has one too. And today is the Ides of October, a day that marks the middle of the month.
We’ll also take a look at our seesawing fall weather, and see who’s on the river today moving cargo.
The post A look at the ship schedule, the weather and the origin of the term “ides” on this, the Ides of October appeared first on The Ship Report.
While all ships are inherently interesting, we have a few unusual ones passing by on Tuesday. One will visit the Port of Astoria.
We’ll see a new Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler headed to the Portland shipyard, a container ship (we don’t see them as often as we used to) headed to the Port of Portland, and a blue water cruise ship stopping for the day at the Port of Astoria.
The post Interesting ships on the river Tuesday appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll look at transit times, how long it takes a ship to go from one place to another at sea, and here on the river.
The post A look at transit times – how long it takes to get from one place to another by ship appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week marks 15 years since the pilot boat Peacock was lifted out of the Columbia River and placed on land, on the campus of the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, where she welcomes people traveling past the museum on Marine Drive.
She’s now a retired icon of Columbia River shipping, but when she first arrived here in the late 1960s, the Peacock opened a new era in river commerce. That was thsnks to her unprecedented ability to handle channeling weather conditions that previous pilot boats here could not.
Today we’ll honor the Peacock and talk about her work with the Columbia River Bar Pilots.
The post The pilot boat Peacock, now a museum exhibit, was a real game changer for Columbia River commerce appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve got an abundant ship schedule today, so let’s see who’s on the river today, moving cargo, or waiting their turn.
The post A look at who’s on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
i got an interesting listener question, about the way that marine pilot’s board a ship using a pilot ladder. The answer illustrates how dangerous the job is, and how much pilots must rely on their own expertise and judgement, moment to moment, to safely do their jobs.
The post Listener question about marine pilots and how they board ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about an interesting and unusual sight that happened on Sunday on the river: a big bluewater cruise ship was heading downriver and out to sea from Portland.
We’ll talk about why she was all the way upriver in Portland, since such ships generally stop in Astoria and go no further upriver except perhaps to anchor off the downtown waterfront while they are in town for the day.
The post A blue water cruise ship heads downriver after a stint in Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at this week’s storm, which brought stormy conditions some places around the region, but missed others.
The post A look at our eccentric regional weather appeared first on The Ship Report.
Well, in typical Mother Nature fashion, she’s doing what she likes, and our predicted storm is a bit late. But arrive it will, and will likely make things messy for vessels out in it, and delay departures for ships that are in port here. We’ll talk today about what to expect, with the usual caveat, “subject to change.”
The post Update on the weather appeared first on The Ship Report.
We have some of our usual, messy fall weather coming in today, and I thought it would be a good time to review some of the weather jargon we start to see in our forecasts at this time of year, and what those words and numbers mean.
We’ll talk about ships on the bar in bad weather, and also what’s happening with other river bars along our PNW coast, where vessels may also be seeking refuge from the weather.
The post Weather comin’ in appeared first on The Ship Report.
Big changes happening as of this week, with regard to the show.
Beginning this week, the Ship Report will no longer air on KMUN on Fridays, but will air Monday-Thursday instead, and as a podcast on my website at shipreport.net.
KMUN will air the Ship Report twice a day on the radio, at 8:49 am and again at 5:49 pm, Monday through Thursday.
The changes come on the heels of big federal funding cuts to the station, which have resulted in their needing to make significant programming changes resulting from the loss of NPR programming.
I completely respect the necessity for change in this situation, and support KMUN’s efforts to regroup. I’m regrouping myself, and considering what’s next for me in terms of Friday podcasts. I’ll keep you posted as I sort it out.
In the meantime, as always, I’ll continue posting ship schedules on my website (shared on Facebook) and also marine weather on my Ship Report Facebook page.
Thanks for your understanding. More to come.
The post Big changes to the Ship Report this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today the bar is on Red status because of the weather, meaning few if any ships will cross the bar today at the river’s entrance.
We’ll talk about how weather matters here, and why it can seem calm off Astoria and be crazy dangerous just 17 miles to the west.
The post As rough weather keeps the bar on Red status, we’ll talk about how weather matters here appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at our seasonally rowdy weather forecast, which already has the Columbia River Bar on Red status this morning, meaning ship traffic is halted across the river entrance until conditions improve. Add that to King Tides we’ll see starting on Friday, and it’s a recipe for some serious beach hazards you need to know about.
It’s tun to see big waves, just make sure you’re in a safe place to watch. And there are plenty of places to go for a good perch so you can see everything but not risk your life in the process.
The post Inclement weather and King Tides add up to increased beach risks and flooding appeared first on The Ship Report.
Every year around this time, I do a show about an enduring maritime tragedy: the sinking of the ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975. The incident, where the ship was lost in a storm and all hands perished, is emblematic of the risks all mariners take when they go to sea, and of the grief endured by their loved ones on land – waiting for those who never return home.
Today and every year on the show, we honor those lost at sea by commemorating this tragedy.
This show features Gordon Lightfoot’s iconic song about the tragedy, which is a factual account of what happened. We’ll take a look at what happened aboard the FItzgerald that led her her demise on an icy night on the big lake.
The post The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald appeared first on The Ship Report.
The presence of a large containership, outbound on the river today, offers a good opportunity to talk about the invention of a device that revolutionized the shipping industry: the now ubiquitous shipping container.
This commonly seen metal cargo box, which made its debut on a ship 68 years ago, soon permanently changed how cargo was shipped worldwide.
The post The invention of the shipping container appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at today’s complement of ships, what they’re carrying, where they’re from and where they’re headed.
The post A look at who’s on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take another look at the lives of sailors at sea, and talk about how some ships that formerly transited the Suez Canal are now taking a longer route around the southern tip of Africa, to avoid violent vessel attacks in the Red Sea.
The result for diverted ships has been voyages that last about two weeks longer than before. The unexpected perk for sailors on board has turned out to be reduced stress, more job satisfaction, more time to do their work, and obtain needed training.
The post An unexpected change of sea route means less stress for some sailors appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at the lives of the people who live and work on the ships that travel the world and bring us all our “stuff.”
We’ll look at the latest data from the Seafarers Happiness Index, which assesses how life is going at asea for sailors. and a look at what countries sailors are mostly like to hail from.
The post Who’s on the ships we see passing by? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, as we stand on the brink of a highly significant US election, we’ll take a look at how mariners at sea vote, both in the merchant marine and in the US military.
The post Voting at Sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we’ve been talking with Christi Lee Dunham, a vessel agent who works with cargo ships on the Columbia River.
The post Vessel agents and their work with cargo ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
More on vessel agents and their work.
The post Vessel agent: a unique job on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, in answer to a listener question, a look at a troubling but necessary industry: shipbreaking.
Where do old ships go to die? The answer mostly is to a shipbreaking yard somewhere in South Asia, to countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
We’ll talk about the hazards of shipbreaking as is it conducted in most cases. We’ll also look at places where environmentally responsible shpibreaking is happening.
The post Shipbreaking: a necessary and problematic industry appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a closer look at two unusual vessels on the river this week: the USNS Eagleview, which is currently docked at the Port of Astoria. And the Pan Viva, a ship that had a close call in Alaska recently in bad weather. A lot of difficult, careful work by the Coast Guard and and coorinated resources saved this ship from a disaster.
The post Interesting vessels on the river this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
The topic of how long it takes a ship to get from one place to another on the river can be quite complex.
Today we’ll hear from a river expert who’ll explain more about what factors are in play on the Columbia River that affect vessel transit times.
The post More on ship transit times appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at how long it takes big ships to get from one place to another on the Columbia River.
The post Transit times on the river for ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a listener question about marine pilots: which ships take them and which don’t?
In the majority of cases, it’s a matter of the law. And we certainly see a lot of local domestic vessels, like tugs and excursion vessels, and US-flagged river cruise ships, that don’t take pilots. Their captains know the river well.
But almost all large visiting vessels operating in land waterways, worldwide, use the services of marine pilots, for safety reasons.
The post Do all big vessels take a pilot on board? appeared first on The Ship Report.
I got a question about ships at anchor off Astoria, one I’ve answered before… but it’s always good to revisit these very visible and wonderfully local examples of “how things work” on the river.
Today we’ll talk about tides and their effects on anchored ships, and what their appearance and position tell us about what is happening on the river.
The post A visitor asks about ships at anchor off Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today’s riddle: When is a sinking ship not a sinking ship? In this case, this week on the lower Columbia, it’s probably the split-hull hopper dredge Bayport, a ship that is designed to split in half without sinking.
The post When is a sinking ship not a sinking ship? When she’s a split-hull hopper dredge appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about what ships are traveling on the river today. Among them is the Pacific Tracker, a US military vessel that tracks missile testing in the North Pacific region.
The post The Pacific Tracker heads downriver today appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, an archive interview about ship running lights, featuring Capt. Robert Johnson, a now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot.
The post A look at ship running lights: lights that are on at night appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, some questions about pilots from a new listener to the Ship Report. A great opportunity to talk about one of my favorite subjects.
Steve asked, “Are pilots onboard for the whole journey, say Astoria to Portland? At anchorage, as well? Also, are there pilot “bases” in Kalama and Portland in addition to Astoria?”
Today we’ll talk about these questions and more about the fascinating topic of marine pilots.
The post Listener questions about marine pilots appeared first on The Ship Report.
Every ship sails under a flag of registry of a country somewhere in the world. Some represent the country where the ship’s owners are based, others are flags of convenience that offer cheaper rates and more lax regulations. We’ll take a look at where today’s ships are registered.
The post A look at the ship registries, or flags, of the ships on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, another listener question, about why ships generally use the port anchor when they anchor off Astoria in the river. And what does that mean anyway? A look at the nuances of ship handling that demand pilot expertise.
The post Why ships here tend to use the port anchor in the Astoria Anchorage appeared first on The Ship Report.
Drawbridges are an important part of our transportation system in the Astora/Warernton area. In fact, we couldn’t get around without them. Today I’ll answer a listener question about drawbridges and talk about the ones we have here and how they work.
Photo of Youngs Bay Bridge courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
The post Drawbridges! You may drive over one frequently and not know it appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at the daily ship schedule and a few interesting details about ships, including one whose name means “hydrangea” in Japanese, and the charming cultural meaning of the flower in Japanese culture.
The post A look at today’s schedule, including a ship whose name means “hydrangea” in Japanese appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at our changing weather and how much daylight we are losing per day. Also, look at a common type of bulk carrier referred to in the industry as a “tramp” ship, because it changes cargoes frequently.
The post A look at the weather, our waning daylight, and a bit about “tramp” bulk carriers appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk more about a fish I mentioned on Wednesday’s show: The Kokanee salmon, a freshwater lake fish that is also in parts of the Columbia River.
The post Kokanee Salmon, a fresh water lake fish native to the PNW appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at our changing weather and how much daylight we are losing per day. Also, look at a common type of bulk carrier referred to in the industry as a “tramp” ship, because it changes cargoes frequently.
The post A look at the weather, our waning daylight, and a bit about “tramp” bulk carriers appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a listener question about salt water intrusion on the Columbia River: Where does the salt water ocean end and the freshwater river begin? As with most things on the Columbia, it’s complicated. We’ll also talk about fish that call both river and ocean their home.
The post Where does the river end, and the ocean begin? appeared first on The Ship Report.
This weekend a ship experienced some engine issues heading downriver. Observant folks near the Astoria Anchorage noticed some unusual activity – the actions of marine pilots and a tugboat crew at work keeping the ship safe until it could fix its problems and head out to sea, which it eventually did.
The post Interesting goings-on in the Astoria Anchorage show experts handling ship issues appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a bit about the autumnal equinox, which happened yesterday in the Northern Hemisphere.
And if you’re feeling sad about the shorter days, consider the people of Barrow, Alaska (now called Utquiagvik), who endure 67 days of complete darkness between mid-November and late January.
The post The autumnal equinox, and a look at fall near the Arctic Circle appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the USNS Henry J Kaiser heading downriver from Vancouver and out to sea. She’s a Military Sealift Command ship, a replenishment oiler. A tyoe of ship that’s like a sea-going fuel station. She’s got equipment on board that allows her to fuel other ships at sea. She also carries supplies like food and parts. Just the thing for supplying an active duty Navy ship that doesn’t have time to head to port
The post The USNS Henry J Kaiser heads downriver appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today I’ll talk about a really pretty ship in the Astoria Anchorage that has a beautiful turquoise hull. We’ll talk about ship hull colors, why they look the way they do, and why some paints have a special purpose that includes their color.
The post Ship hull colors and why they look that way appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about a specific sea state that you might see often off the downtown Astoria waterfront this time of year, and that’s: white caps. Also called “white horses” in the UK.
They’re the result of a specific set of circumstances involving wind and tide, and they signal choppy conditions that mariners need to know about.
The post White caps and white horses appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear from a river expert: Columbia River Pilot Captain Wes Balensifer answers a question from a listener about anchor buoys at Rainier on the Columbia River. We’ll also talk about other anchorages on the river and why they don’t have buoys.
The post Anchor buoys, and why (and how) ships use them appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the words you see painted on the sides and sterns of ships. They can represent vessel names, flags of registry and the names of companies that operate ships. Today we’ll talk about what that all means.
The post Names, countries and other words painted on ships – and what they mean appeared first on The Ship Report.
Some folks say it’s already fall, while others say it won’t happen till Sept 22nd. We’ll take a look at who’s right – and it turns out they both are. As with many things, it depends on how you look at it. Today we’ll talk about the difference between meterological and astronomical autumn.
Show transcript: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript090324E.pdf
The post With the advent of September, a look at the “two autumns” appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today’s show features a look at who’s on the river, a reminder that days are getting shorter as fall approaches, and an update on what’s to become of that burning oil tanker in the Red Sea.
The post A look at today’s ships, our shorter days, and an update on that burning tanker in the Red Sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
On this day, 52 years ago, a commercial fishing boat sank on the Columbia River Bar. KMUN comentator Michael McCusker was aboard. He and his crewmates survived, thanks to the quick intervention of fellow mariners.
I’ve shared his story before on the show, but not on the anniversary of its occurrence. Today we take a closer look.
We commemorate the anniversary of his rescue, and talk about what happened to the boat that caused it to sink in a matter of minutes. It’s a cautionary tale about where you should and should not go on the Columbia River Bar in a boat.
And, thanks to Michael, it’s a darn good sea story.
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript082924.pdf
The post A story of survival on the Columbia River Bar appeared first on The Ship Report.
In the industry it’s called “cold ironing” – the capacity of a port to provide electric hookups for arriving ships and other vessels. Ports that are so equipped, and ships that are configured to plug in, can reduce air pollution signicantly while in port.
Soon, 11 Washington ports, including, locally, the Port of Kalama, will receive funds to upgrade their facilities to provide shoreside power to ships and other vessels when they are at the dock. It’s a big step forward in air quality control for the region.
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript082824.pdf
The post Washington ports get electrification grants to provide dockside power for vessels appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Military Sealift Command, which has ships stationed on the Columbia, has proposed sidelining 17 of its ships to address a dwindling workforce of mariners.
The situation reflects a wider trend worldwide, especially since the pandemic, where sailors simply don’t want to be away from home for months, with often mediocre compensation, and not enough time off to create healthy work-life balance.
The workforce of mariners in the world is getting smaller as demands increase, and these are the folks who bring us our “90 percent of everything.”
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript082724.pdf
The post Mililtary Sealift Command proposes sidelining vessels appeared first on The Ship Report.
Right now, a crude oil tanker is ablaze in the Red Sea after an attack by Houthi forces. If the ship sinks, it could create a massive environmental disaster. The ripple effects from this incident show how what happens in one part of the world can affect people elsewhere, and how any ship presents a risk that marine professionals are careful to plan for.
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript082624.pdf
Photo of the Red Sea: This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
The post Red Sea tanker attack highlights international risks appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at ships and their cargo on the river today.
The post A look at ships and cargo on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll see the first of five cruise ships that will visit Astoria over the next couple of months.
The post It’s fall cruise ship season in Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a quick overview of what comes and goes on the river here, in terms of ships and cargo.
The post An overview of ships and cargo appeared first on The Ship Report.
The US Coast Guard has purchased the Aiviq, a commercial icebreaker previously used to support Arctic oil production operations. She’ll become a medium icebreaker for the USCG and will be berthed in Juneau. The Aiviq will be ready for Coast Guard service in about two years.
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript082024.pdf
The post An icebreaker joins the USCG Alaska fleet appeared first on The Ship Report.
With some tempestuous weather happening the past few days, and that feeling in the air, we all know that fall is not far away even though it’s still summer. Seems like a good time to revisit the Beaufort Wind Scale, a reference table dating back to the 1700s that is still in use today. It allows mariners and land dwellers the opportunity to assess conditions around them and gauge the strength of the wind.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript081924.pdf
The post Autumn is in the air, and with it, thoughts of the Beaufort Wind Scale appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about a large grant that the EPA just awarded to a local environmental group, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, funding the group’s work to enhance communities and address watershed needs in our region posed by issues like sea level rise and other challenges. The grant is part of a massive funding bill called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed into law last fall.
It’s another example of behind the scenes work that often unsung organizations do routinely, to make our communities more resilient, and the public funding that makes such projects possible.
(Having some issues with posting transcripts… they’ll return here – in this space – as soon as I figure it out…)
The post Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership receives EPA grant for local projects appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, an unusual vessel arrives on the Columbia: the Bob Hope, a military car carrier. We’ll talk about her interesting history and the military agencies that have used and continue to use her services. One of the many military ships we see often on the river.
This photo of the Bob Hope is used with permission and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
The post A military vessel named Bob Hope with an interesting history appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at an often-seen, odd-looking and highly effective vessel here on the Columbia: the amazing car carrier, whose purpose is to carry vehicles. Without them, most of us would not have a car to drive.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/SRTranscript081424.pdf
The post A look at car carriers appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about why mariners must by law help one another if someone is in trouble on the water.
It’s also a time honored tradition, not to mention a recognition of the reality that all mariners are equally vulnerable when things go wrong at sea.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript081324.pdf
The post Being a Good Samaritan is the law on the water, but also a matter of reality and tradition appeared first on The Ship Report.
Often we focus here on the Ship Report on the portion of the river between Astoria and the ocean, where things are quite dramatic and treacherous on a regular basis.
But the upriver portion of the river is formidable as well. Today we’ll talk about the heavy currents and winds that are among the factors that make inland transits also challenging.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript081224.pdf
The post Upriver vessel handling on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today’s the final segment of my interview with author and Fisher Poet Tele Aadsen.
The post What Water Holds, by Tele Aadsen appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we continue hearing excerpts from my interview with Fisher Poet Tele Aadsen, about her book, What Water Holds.
The post What Water Holds, a book by Fisher Poet Tele Aadsen appeared first on The Ship Report.
More from the archives this week from my interview with author and fisher poet Tele Aadsen, about her life in commercial fishing and her book, What Water Holds.
The post More from the archives: commercial fishing and “What Water Holds” appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’re hearing exceprts this week from a 2023 interview I did with fisher poet and author Tele Aadsen, about her new book: What Water Holds, a memoir about her life in the world of commercial salmon troller fishing.
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This week we’ll hear from the Ship Report arvhives from an interview I did about year ago with fisher poet and author Tele Aadsen. Today she reads an excerpt from the her book, What Water Holds, a memoir about life in the world of commercial salmon troller fishing.
The post A gem from the Ship Report Archives: a talk with author and fisher poet Tele Aadsen appeared first on The Ship Report.
A ship in the Astoria Anchorage this week experienced a fouled anchor: that’s when the anchor chain is wrapped around the anchor. This created a situation the ship could not handle alone and so they obtained the services of a barge with a crane to help untangle things.
This incident offers a great segue into anchors and anchor chains and how they work to keep these gigantic ships in place despite raging currents in the river.
Image: A ship in the Astoria Anchorage with a fouled anchor. Photo © Scott Saulsbury. Many thanks to Scott for the use of his photo.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript080224.pdf
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Today is the opening day of the Buoy 10 salmon fishery on the lower Columbia River near Astoria, Warrenton and Hammond. You’ll see lots of people in small boats fishing enthusiastically during this famous fishery period that happens every summer around this time.
The weather will be splendid and the fishing good. It’s important to remember that it’s the same old powerful and dangerous river out there, and we need to be prepared and knowledgeable in order to stay safe.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript080124.pdf
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Today, a look back in the Ship Report srchives at an interview about rogue waves with Capt. Deborah Dempsey and Terry Wilson – both dear friends of mine. This interview is especially poignant, since Terry is no longer with us. Today we’ll learn about rogue waves from two mariners who have each experienced them at sea.
Show transcript: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062824.pdf
The post Rogue waves appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear part 2 of the true story of the sinking of the commercial fishing boat Meteor, on the Columbia River Bar in the 1970s, as told by former fisherman Michael McCusker.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062724
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I need to take the next few days off, and so we’ll hear a few shows from the Ship Report archives.
The two part show that you’ll hear today and tomorrow is a listener favorite: the true story of the sinking of the commercial fishing boat Meteor on the Columbia River Bar, told as no one else can by Michael McCusker.
You can hear Michael Thursdays on KMUN radio in Astoria, with his insightful show, “A Story Told.” Among the many hats Michael has worn in his life is being a commercial fisherman. Here’s his story of how he was the last man standing as the boat he was working on, the Meteor, sank on the bar.
We’ll hear the finale tomorrow
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062624,pdf
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Today we’ll take a look at what factors affect how long it takes a ship to get from one place to another, on the ocean and on the river.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062524.pdf
The post Getting around on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at today’s ship schedule, including a Canadian tug with an unusual destination.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062424.pdf
The post Who’s on the river today? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we have a ship arriving from France, which means she likely traveled through the Panama Canal. We’ll talk about that historic waterway, it’s problems with drought in recent years and how a coming La Nina climate trend might help alleviate that.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062124,pdf
The post The Panama Canal appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today I thought we’d talk about some of the most ever-present and often ignored (by people on land) things in our river neighborhood – and that’s navigational buoys. Vital for mariners, they sit in the water day and night doing their work, making the watery highway safe for travel.
Each buoy is unique, by color, numbers and sound, and they have lights so they can be seen at night. Mariners would have trouble getting along without them.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript062024.pdf
The post Buoys in the ‘hood appeared first on The Ship Report.
There’s a very special ship at the Port of Astoria right now: the research vessel Atlantis is at the dock, taking a temporary break from her research work in the Pacific Ocean. Such vessels often stop into Astoria because we are conveniently near the ocean, to get supplies and change crews. The Atlantis is a famous ship, espeically known for the submersible Alvin which can carry scientists below the surface as deep ast 15,000 feet.
Today we’ll talk about her and the Alvin, and I’ll share my memories of bieng aboard her for a tour.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061824.pdf
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Today we’ll take a look at a couple of interesting natural occurences on the river that can pose challenges for boaters: whitecaps and eddies. A look at our profound natural world in action, right at our watery doorstep.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061724.pdf
The post Interesting river anomalies appeared first on The Ship Report.
A listener contacted me and sent me a video to ask about huge quantity of smoke spewing from a passing container ship. The situation did indeed look rather dire, with lots of smoke billowing in the air.
Turns out this situation was not an emergency, but was instead white steam from the ship’s scrubbers. We’ll talk about what that means, why some, but not all, ships have scrubbers – and what they do to improve life for all of us.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061424.pdf
The post Ship mystery solved: what was all that smoke? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The death of a canoist on the Nehalem River last week offers a good reason to talk about water safety in a different way. Most people think the water dangers here are on the coast: the beach with its sneaker waves and rip currents, the Columbia River Bar, and the river’s cold water and strong tides. But equally dangerous hazards await even in smaller waterways with seemingly calm conditions. All bodies of water demand respect and proper gear to stay safe.
The best protection against all of these hazards is life jackets – and it’s high time we decided they’re “cool” so people will wear them.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061324.pdf
The post Nehalem River canoeing death highlights an overlooked aspect of water safety appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear Part 2 of my interview with Ginger Nealon, wildlife rehabilitation coordinator for the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, based in Olney, Oregon. They’ve been helping oil-soaked birds that were injured in a recent oil spill. Today we’ll talk about how successful such efforts are, what you can do if you find an oil soaked bird, and how to contact and support the Center, which is a non-profit that is always in need of donations, and volunteers.
A reminder that the hotline to report an oil soaked bird in Oregon or Washington is 1-800-22BIRDS. If you’d like to reach the wildlife center of the north coast, they’re wildlife rescue hotline number is 503-338-0331.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061224.pdf
The post More on wildlife rehab: what’s the success rate when saving oil-soaked birds? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear part one of a two-part interview with Ginger Nealon, wildife rehabilitation coordinator for the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. The center, in Olney, Oregon, helps injured wildlife recover, often from enounters with humans. Their latest patients are oil-soaked birds, injured in a recent oil spill that’s affected the coast locally here in Oregon and Washington. Today we’ll learn about why it can be challenging to save birds covered in oil, and what the process is like.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061124.pdf
The post A look at wildlife rehabilitation, as experts try to save birds from a coast oil spill, Part 1 appeared first on The Ship Report.
After a visit for tours on the Willamette River waterfront, as part of the annual Portland Rose Festival, the Rose Festival Fleet will be heading downriver today. Look for the USS Montgomery, the HMCS Yellowknife and HMCS Edmunton heading dowriver today, leaving between 9 and 10:30 am. It looks like the USS Montgomery will stop at the Port of Astoria, while the Canadian ships will head out to sea.
You can track their locations on vesselfinder.com and marinetraffic.com as they travel downriver. If you look for them on those apps, they will be listed as “US gov vessel,” or “CDN warship.”
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript061024.pdf
The post The Rose Festival Fleet departs Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at who’s on the river, and some cargoes – such as: what’s toluene?
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060724.pdf
The post A look at ships and cargo appeared first on The Ship Report.
While most ships anchored off Astoria in the river are waiting to load cargo, it can be a blessing for a ship with mechanical problems, as happened recently. A ship in need of repairs can wait there until a fix is complete, wait for ordered parts, or be in easy access for expert help. Far from the turbulence of the open ocean. Astoria as a harbor offers a great deal to passing ships, as a port, a place with fuel and supplies and occasionally as a much needed refuge.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060624.pdf
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It’s Wednesday of Rose Festival Week, and the fleet is heading upriver to join the festivities. Today, ship watchers on the river between Astoria and Portland will see four military ships traveling: One US Navy ship, two Canadian Navy ships, and one USCG cutter. All ships will leave Astoria in the morning and arrive in Portland sometime in the afternoon.
The USS Montgomery is part of this year’s Rose Festival Fleet. She’ll be open for tours through Sunday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. For more info see the Rose Festival 2024 website.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060524.pdf
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This year’s arriving Rose Festival Fleet ships will all be in Astoria today, and you’ll have a chance to take a tour of a ship at the dock.
We’ll talk about US and Canadian military ships stopping in Astoria before they head upriver to Portland for the annual Rose Festival there.
Show Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060424.pdf
The post The Rose Festival Fleet appeared first on The Ship Report.
The necropsy results are out for the dead whale that washed up on the beach in Manzanita: bruising and internal bleeding suggest the whale died from a vessel strike.
We’ll talk about this unfortunately not uncommon cause of whale death on the West Coast, and about some measures taken along the coast of California to route ships away from areas where whales are known to be. And about other voluntary measures ship operators can take to avoid whales.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060324.pdf
The post Vessel strike suspected in Nehalem whale death appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve got a couple of atmospheric rivers headed our way beginning Sunday that could bring inches of rain to our region. We’ll see what develops and talk about what forecasters are predicting.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript053124.pdf
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Sort of a smorgasbord of info today: ocean swells and waves, ship schedules and why some upriver ships go to anchor after they’ve loaded cargo.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript053024.pdf
The post A look at ocean swells and waves, and why some ships load cargo and go to anchor appeared first on The Ship Report.
The US Coast Guard released their 2023 boater safety stats this week. While fatalities are down, alcohol and boater inexperience remain big factors in water deaths and injuries.
The bottom line: the ocean and the river near you are not a carefully controlled water park designed for fun times.
Out on the water is the real deal, a place where Mother Nature makes the rules, and you need to learn, pay attention, and boost your chances of survival by being prepared.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052924.pdf
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Yesterday a dead humpback whale over 30 feet long washed up on the beach at Nehalem Bay State Park near Manzanita, Oregon. Officials are working to determine the cause of death.
This incident brings the total to 5 of whales that have washed up on Oregon beaches in the past year and a half. We’ll talk about possible reasons for whale death, other than natural causes.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052824.pdf
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Today, a few things: We’ll talk about two maritime related holidays that happened this week: International Turtle Day and National Maritime Day.
And a note of concern as this holiday weekend arrives: mysterious tar balls have been showing up on beaches in SW Washington and Oregon, along with oil soaked wildlife. So far authorities have not been able to determine the cause.
If you see a bird or other creature covered in oil, call 1-800-22-BIRDS. (1-800-222-4737). This hotline is good in both Oregon and Washington.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052424.pdf
The post Oil spill hits beaches in Oregon and Washington appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s been less than two months since the containership Dali lost control as was leaving Baltimore Harbor at night, hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge and destroying it, causing the deaths of bridge workers, and closing this key US harbor to vessel traffic.
Since then a unified command operation of skilled agencies and experts have been working to clear navigation channels so ships can resume calling on the port.
This week they made huge progress and were able to move the ship out of the way and open the deep draft ship channel.
We’ll talk about what it took to get there.
Photo: Salvage operations on the containership Dali in Baltimore Harbor. Image from DVIDS, courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052324.pdf
The post Update on the containership Dali in Baltimore appeared first on The Ship Report.
Most people know that the US Coast Guard is a big presence in our coastal waters. But the Coast Guard also has a big international presence too, in over 160 countries.
Today we’ll talk more about the US Coast Guard, our fleet of ships and how to tell them apart, and the many Coast Guards of other nations, some of whom have partnerships with ours.
Photo: The USCGC David Duren at the 17th St. dock in Astoria, Oregon. Photo credit: Bruce Cary Jones, executive director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and retired USCG commander.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052224.pdf
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Yesterday, a new Coast Guard Cutter came to town, she’s the CGC David Duren, named for an enlisted hero whose nickname was “Big Wave Dave.” She’ll be at the Astoria dock for awhile, until her new digs at Tongue Point are ready.
The Coast Guard will hold a comissioning ceremony at the Columbia River Maritime Museum on June 27. The Duren is docked at the 17th Street Pier by the museum.
Photo is of the David Duran docked at the 17th St dock by the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.
Photo credit: Columbia River Maritime Museum Executive Director and ret. Coast Guard Commander Bruce Cary Jones.
Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052124.pdf
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The latest news about container service at the Port of Portland is that Oregon’s governor has a plan to shore up the port for now, with $40 million in support. The caveat: the port must create a sustainability plan for its container service.
Show transcripts here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052024.pdf
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Container service could continue at the Port of Portland
The latest news about container service at the Port of Portland is that Oregon's governor has a plan to shore up the port for now, with $40 million in support. The caveat: the port must create a sustainability plan for its container service.
Another oiler in town, and yes, the water IS cold
Today we'll look at today's schedule, which includes another military replenishment oiler like the one we saw yesterday (a ship that can refuel other ships at sea).
And also a footnote about the beach this week... where I personally tried wading briefly in the ocean to see how cold it really is. The answer: it's really COLD, yes, capital letters cold. Cold enough to make your feet ache.
The plumb bow
Today, a brief dive into ship design and some of the factors that can affect why boats and ships look the way they do. We'll look at the plumb bow feature you may see on ships and on some recreational boats and why a designer might choose to design a vessel this way.
Normalizing water safety: an idea whose time has comeWe do a lot to warn people about water safety, but perhaps not enough to change their minds about how they see it, as a concept in their lives.
For everyone's benefit: victims, emergency first responders and Good Samaritans, it's time to make water safety "cool."
Today's maritime term: lightering
Today we'll take another look at a specialized maritime term, one that may seem odd to folks not involved in the maritime industry.
This word, llightering, has to do with the process of moving cargo, and sometimes fuel, usually from a larger vessel to a smaller one, for the purposes of making the other vessel lighter, and more able to maneuver, especially when it comes to water depth at the dock.
The origin and meaning of a common maritime industry term: bunkering
Folks familiar with the maritime industry use this word a lot: "bunker" or "bunkering" or even "bunkers."
It's not a word whose meaning you can easily figure out just by hearing it, but it refers to the fuel ships use and the process of filling up a ship's tanks so she has fuel to travel at sea.
Today we'll talk about bunker and bunkering, and exactly what those terms mean. And how this important maritime function came to be named in such an apparently nonintuitive way.
Cruise ships on the Columbia, and why we don't see blue water cruises all summer
A look at today's ship schedule, and a look at our cruise ship complement for the season, and why we don't see blue water cruise ships here all summer long.
Beautiful weather is here, and with it cold water dangers
Every spring, we have these wonderful days (like today into the weekend) where the weather just blossoms into full summer mode - and we are understandably giddy with joy.
However, while you're out there enjoying the beach and the riverside (as well you should!), keep in mind that winter conditions still exist when it comes to water and water dangers - it's still dangerously cold in both our rivers and the ocean.
So even though the air is intoxicatingly warm, we're still in the Pacfic Northwest. And that means cold water, strong tidal currents, and rip currents in the ocean, year round.
Nightime running lights on ships
Today, a look back in the Ship Report archives at an interview I did in the early 2000s, with a local maritime professional: Captain Robert Johnson, a now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot who was at the time working in the field in the waters off Astoria, Warrenton and Hammond. In this insider's look at ship running lights, he'll tell us what we are likely to see in a ship passing by at night.
Lights on ships are designed with great purpose: they are meant to allow other vessels to see a ship at night and determine how it is traveling, to avoid collision. Lights also illuminate working areas of the ship were crew and pilots need to be.
Today, a look at who’s traveling on the river today, and a bit about cargo, ballast water, and land transportation for cargo after it gets to port.
Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/ShipReportTranscript050724.pdf
The post A look at today’s ship schedule appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at who's on the river today
Today, a look at who's traveling on the river today, and a bit about cargo, ballast water, and land transportation for cargo after it gets to port.
Today, an interesting listener question about how propulsion decisions are communicated between the bridge of a ship and the engine room. In a car, we’d call this exchange the “gas pedal.” But it works differently on ships.
Show transcript avaialble here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript050624.pdf
The post How does the “gas pedal” work on a ship? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The 2024 First Quarter Report from the Seamans Mission organization is out, analyzing feedback from sailors from all over the world who answered 10 questions about their work at sea and how satisfied they are with conditions on board ship.
We’ll take a look at the Seafarers Happiness Index, and why things are better than they were last year, and what factors matter most to people working on ships.
Show transcript available here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript050324.pdf
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Today we’ll talk about the historic win by the crew of Maiden, the sailing yacht which won the Ocean Globe Race last month. They made history as the first all-female crew ever to win a round-the-world yacht race. They were the only all-female crew competing.
Maiden also competed with an all-female crew in the 1989-90 Whitbread Race, after which the Ocean Globe is modeled. This time, they won!
Show transcript available here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript050224.pdf
Photo Courtesy of McIntyre Adventure: Maiden crew arrive into Auckland after successful sail from Cape Town. Credit: OGR2023/Aida Valceanu.
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Today is May Day, the first day of the month of May. We’ll talk about the day’s historical origins as a celebration. Then we’ll delve into its contemporary nautical meaning. The expression “mayday” has saved lives for over a century, when uttered over VHF radio as a distress signal to the Coast Guard.
Transcript of this show available here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript050124.pdf
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Today’s show is about an unusual Coast Guard rescue in the waters off Tillamook, where they were able to rescue someone whose ship was further out to sea than would normally be possible for a USCG helicopter rescue. Crews adapted to add flying range to their aircraft, and provided ICU services in the helicopter for a critically ill patient.
Transcript of thos show avaliable here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript043024.pdf
The post USCG rescue off Tillamook shows Coast Guard adaptability in an emergency appeared first on The Ship Report.
USCG rescue off Tillamook shows Coast Guard adaptability in an emergency
Today's show is about an unusual Coast Guard rescue in the waters off Tillamook, where they were able to rescue someone whose ship was further out to sea than would normally be possible for a USCG helicopter rescue. Crews adapted to add flying range to their aircraft, and provided ICU services in the helicopter for a critically ill patient.
Transcript of thos show available here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript043024.pdf
Today we’ll take a quick look at another cruise ship due in Astoria today, and then we’ll talk about ways the maritime industry is working to reduce vessel pollution in port. This incudes the development of all-electric tugboats, a relatively new option in the world of commercial vessels.
Today’s Ship Report Episode Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript042924.pdf
Link to Sea Change Radio story about Zero Emission Marine Vessels: https://beta.prx.org/stories/525366
Photo Credit: Foss hybrid tugboat Carolyn Dorothy, image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
The post A look at vessel pollution in port appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll look at an unusual occurrence in Astoria: two cruise ships in town on the same day. One will anchor at the Port of Astoria. The other will anchor off the downtown waterfront and take passengers to and from land in a small boat called a launch.
We’ll also talk about the spring and fall cruise ship calendar for blue water (ocean) cruises coming to Astoria.
Link to transcript: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript%20042624.pdf
The post Two cruise ships in Astoria today, more to come appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at a a business story about the fallout in a port on the East Coast that recently lost container service in a disaster. In Baltimore, we saw a container ship destroy a bridge, and huge and awful consequences for that city and its people.
As that city recovers and efforts continue to clean up the debris, the loss of container service has hit small businesses there hard that used to receive inventory via container ships.
Something similar in terms of shipping, but thankfully minus the disaster, could happen in our region if the Port of Portland ends container service. We’ll take a look at the impacts on small businesses when container service abruptly ends.
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Today we’ll take a close look at ships on the river and their cargoes.
The post A look at today’s ships on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at the ongoing story of a cabin cruiser that washed ashore on the beach on the Long Beach Peninsula. It’s a story of a very lucky man and his dog, for sure – but what’s next for them, as the boat sits aground on the sand?
We’ll talk about what his options are, and how marine salvage law, and state law, handle cases like this.
The post Beached boat on the Long Beach Peninsula shows hazards of coastal waters appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at some common arriving cargoes on the Columbia and what happens to them after they are unloaded from the ship that brought them here.
The post A look at cargo after it leaves the ship in port appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today I’ll revisit a concept I talked about on Monday’s show.. General Average – an ancient maritime principle that governs how losses in a ship disaster are shared between stakeholders. I was talking about the containership Dali and what sort of liability cargo owners on that ship could face. Turns out quite a bit. Disasters are a reason why most companies shipping cargo have insurance against this sort of event. If they don’t, it could be devastating.
The post More about general average liability for cargo owners – potentially daunting… appeared first on The Ship Report.
Continuing our discussion about changes in ports and cargo service on the Columbia, today we’ll talk about the decision by the Port of Woodland to buiild a marine terminal and being serving cargo ships for the first time. The port has a partnership with a cement company that will help make it happen.
We’ll talk about what an official port district is, compared to a private port, and also about the ebb and flow of cargo services on the river.
The post Port of Woodland to add marine terminal on the Columbia River appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about a listener comment regarding the Port of Portland’s decision to suspend container service this fall out of its Terminal 6 facilities. A person suggested that containers be shipped out of Astoria instead. We’ll talk about why that is highly unlikely. Mostly, it’s a matter of highly expensive infrastructure. Equipment costs are huge, and such a change would profoundly alter the character of Astoria.
The post Could Astoria take over container service here on the Columbia? Unlikely. appeared first on The Ship Report.
The big maritime news locally this week is the announcement by the Port of Portland that they will end container ship service to the Port’s Terminal 6 as of October 1. The decision will mean the Columbia River will no longer have container service, since Portland is the only port with the infrastructure and equipment to handle containers. Carships and bulk carriers will continue to call on the Port.
Portland has gained and lost container service over the past two decades. The most recent round of container service began during the pandemic, when the Port of Portland served as a overflow port for overcrowded ports on the West Coast. The service has continued with several container ships per week transiting the river.
According to this week’s news reports, that service will cease at the end of September. The hope is that this will only be temporary.
Photo: Port of Portland’s Terminal 6 container cranes. Credit: M.O. Stevens, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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There’s an ancient tenet of maritime law that is cropping up in reports about the catastrophe in Baltimore harbor with the containership Dali. It’s called “general average,” and it has to do with who pays when a ship runs into expensive trouble during a voyage.
This law can force those customers whose cargo is on the ship to help pay for the cost of the disaster. Mostly it ends up being a complex negotiation between many insurance companies, but it could be an expensive caveat for small businesses who may not have insured their cargo sufficiently.
The post The expensive law of “general average” and how it applies to cargo ship disasters appeared first on The Ship Report.
Right now a cruise ship sits aground in a remote fjord in a Greenland national park, days away from the nearest rescue vessel. So far the crew has been unable to refloat her with the rising tide. The situation so far is stable, but it brings up troubling issues of ships with lots of people […]
The post Cruise ship aground in remote Arctic Greenland highlights risks of high-latitude travel appeared first on The Ship Report.
Another retro, low tech sailing race began on Sunday – it’s called the Ocean Globe Race. In this race, like the Golden Globe which started a year ago this month, sailboats will retrace the route of the old sailing Clipper ships. On Sunday, 14 boats with about 12 crew on each left Southhampton, England, headed […]
The post Ocean Globe retro sailing race begins, as boats race from the UK to Cape Town appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, on September 11, we remember those lost on this day in 2001 in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Today we remember Operation Boatlift. After the towers fell, hundreds of thousands of people were desperate to get off Manhattan Island. But they had nowhere to go, since bridges subways, and tunnels in and […]
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Today we’ll focus on one of our hometown vessels, ones that are based here but are still very unusual-looking no matter how many times you see them. Today we have the Pacific Tracker on our ship schedule – she’s based in Portland and goes out into the ocean regularly. Her job is to track missiles […]
The post The Pacific Tracker: an odd looking ship with an unusual mission appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s fall on the Columbia, a time when we may see more ships than usual transiting the river. one possible reason has to do with the seasons: it’s harvest time. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
The post A look at today’s abundant ship schedule, and why we may see more ships this time of year appeared first on The Ship Report.
The true and astounding story of how a group of shipwrecked teenagers managed to survive, and thrive, on a deserted South Pacific island for a year until they were rescued – in a stunning example of ingenuity and teamwork.
The post The amazing true story of the Tonga Castaways appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the two autumns: astronomical fall and meteorological fall. We’ll talk about what the difference is, and why there are two starts to one season.
The post It’s clear from the weather that autumn is pretty much here, but when does fall start, exactly? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, we’ll take a look at an international survey conducted every quarter of each year since 2015. It’s called the Seafarers Happiness Index, conducted by the London-based Mission to Seafarers organization. It’s a report that compiles and analyzes survey responses from employees working at sea around the world. The report for the second quarter of […]
The post The Seafarers Happiness Index for Q2 2023 appeared first on The Ship Report.
We see a lot of tanker vessels on the Columbia. Where do they come from and what are they carrying? We’ll talk about tankers and what makes them different from other cargo vessels.
The post Let’s talk about tankers appeared first on The Ship Report.
Tonight the moon will be full, close to the earth, and the second full moon in a single month. That makes it a super blue moon. We’ll talk more about this moon and how rare it is, and why it will cause higher than normal tides.
The post Tonight’s super blue moon is a rarity appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll look at the story of a fatal collision last year off Puerto Rico between a USCG ship and a small fishing boat. The situation was tragic for all concerned, and legally the small boat was at fault. As we navigate our own sometimes crowded waters of the Columbia River, it’s good to remember […]
The post An accident between a ship and small boat shows the importance of defensive boating appeared first on The Ship Report.
This month, a new floating windfarm in the North Sea off Norway was offcially dedicated, after having been in successful production in the North Sea since the fall of 2022. We’ll also take a look at proposed floating wind farms off the Oregon coast. There is a 60-day comment period underway for the Oregon project. […]
The post A look at a proposal for floating offshore windfarms in Oregon, and a new floating wind farm in Norway appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the amazing solo kayaking journey of 65-year old Canadian Mark Ervin Furhmann, who just completed a 268-day voyage alone. He departed last year from Nova Scotia, paddled north to the St Lawrence River, made his way to the Great Lakes and down the MIssissippi and adjoining rivers until he arrived in […]
The post Solo kayaker logs almost 7,000 miles in round trip journey appeared first on The Ship Report.
The headlines are stress-inducing – based on what we know about Fukushima – the site of the destroyed nuclear plant after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that created a disaster in that country. In the 12 years since, radioactive water has been building up around the plant, used to keep the damaged reactor cool. Now […]
The post Fukushima nuclear plant begins 30-year plan of water releases into the ocean off Japan appeared first on The Ship Report.
Earlier this month, the US-flag bulk carrier Liberty Glory left the Port of Longview with 28,000 metric tons of Pacific Northwest wheat bound for starving familes in the Middle East and East Africa. The Food for Peace program has been in place since the 1950s, and is part of the US commitment to offering humanitarian […]
The post US-flag ship delivers humanitarian wheat from Longview through Food for Peace program appeared first on The Ship Report.
A new hard sail technology called “Wind Wings” has been retrofitted on a 2017-built bulk carrier allowing it to harness the power of the wind, potentially saving 25% on fuel costs.
The post New technology allows bulk carriers to retrofit to use sail power appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the plan to convert the Washington State Ferry System in Puget Sound to hybrid electric vessels. And, following up on the sources of electric power to power those hybrid vessels: we’ll also take a look at the carbon footprint of Washington and Oregon… where do we get our electricity?
The post Hybrid ferries are coming to Puget Sound, and where does the PNW get its electrical power? appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at today’s abundant ship schedule, which includes several Jones Act, US-flag tanker vessels delivering refined petroleum to Portland.
The post A look at today’s ship schedule, and windy weather continues appeared first on The Ship Report.
The shipping industry is taking admirable steps to switch to less polluting fuels, even claiming “zero emissions” ships are on the horizon in a few years. It’s a welcome change and much needed change. Let’s take a look at what it takes to produce some of those currently available and affordable alternatives to petroleum. Turns […]
The post As ships embrace new alternative fuels, where do those fuels come from? appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s Buoy 10 salmon fishing season on the lower Columbia between the mouth of the river and Tongue Point. It’s a time when lots of private recreational boats and charter boats are on the river, trying to catch those delicious salmon. We’ll talk about a few things to keep in mind if you go out, […]
The post Buoy 10 Fishery, a fun annual river season that calls for good boating skills appeared first on The Ship Report.
Most of us take the Panama Canal for granted, if we even think of it at all. It has a turbulent history that includes the deaths of 25,000 workers over the more than three decades that it took to construct it. Some thought at the time that it would never be finished. In the present […]
The post The Panama Canal: some history, and some disturbing current events appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we could see some windy weather on the coast, and with it bigger waves. How does that work? We’ll talk about wind, the number one driver of wave intensity worldwide, and how it affects our local forecasts.
The post As our own winds ramp up, let’s talk about the relationship between wind and waves appeared first on The Ship Report.
The final day of our week long series fearuring an interview with author and fisher poet Tele Aadsen. Aadsen’s memoir, “What Water Holds,” an exploration of her life in commercial fishing, came out this summer. This interview was made possible by Brad Wartman and The Fisher Poetry Archive. Find video of the complete interview at […]
The post Special author interview series this week: Tele Aadsen, “What Water Holds” Part 5 appeared first on The Ship Report.
A revealing discussion about commercial fishing with author and Fisher Poet Tele Aadsen, about her first book, just released, called “What Water Holds.” It’s a memoir. This interview was made possible by Brad Wartman and The Fisher Poetry Archive. Find video of the complete interview at thefisherpoetryarchive.com, and also in the Ship Report Blog: https://shipreport.net/2023/08/04/interview-with-author-and-fisher-poet-tele-aadsen-what-water-holds/
The post Special author interview series this week: Tele Aadsen, “What Water Holds” Part 4 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the oldest woman ever to curcumnavigate the globe solo in a sailboat. She did that a few years ago at 78. Now she’s 80 and just set sail again, crossing the Pacific from Mexico to New Zealand, alone. She’s one of a number of older sailors who still take to the […]
The post Older sailors show us that age doesn’t have to be a limitation appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at an ongoing news story about a car ship on fire near the Netherlands. It’s a horror story about fire on board ship (a fearsome thing) and the possible and troubling involvement of electric car batteries as a cause for the blaze.
The post Ship fire shows the horror of onboard fires, and dangers of electric car batteries appeared first on The Ship Report.
Most of us take the Columbia River for granted and enjoy looking at the part of it we can see from wherever we are. But the river is part of a huge inland water highway that stretches over 500 miles from the mouth of the Columbia to Lewiston, Idaho. The river system here is a […]
The post The Columbia Snake River System: the backbone of our region’s commerce appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at tugs and barges on the river. They often slip by unnoticed by folks on land, but they play an important role in the chain of commerce on the Columbia and related rivers.
The post The unseen role of tugs and barges on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
This local incident, in which someone pointed a green laser pointer at a USCG vessel training in the ocean off Tillamook Bay, is a serious federal crime. The USCG is investigating, and looking for tips from the public. A crewman suffered impaired vision after the incident. A reminder that laser pointers are not toys and […]
The post Laser pointer incident injured USCG crewman during training off Tillamook Bay Bar appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the path of a ship that we see here on the Columbia: where she came from, where she’s going and what’s on board. A ship’s time here on the Columbia is usually just a snapshot of a larger vouage that can take her far and wide on the oceans […]
The post A look at where ships go when they leave the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
The lovely white Coast Guard cutter Steadfast is back in her spot at the 17th Street dock in Astoria near the Columbia River Maritime Museum. She’s just returned from almost two and a half months at sea. We’ll talk about the important work these Coast Guard cutters do, and the huge role the Coast Guard […]
The post An Astoria hometown vessel returns: The USCGC Steadfast is back from 70 days at sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
The somewhat miraculous story the rescue of a man and his dog, adrift on a disabled sailboat, 1200 miles off the coast of Mexico. They’d been at sea for three months when a tuna spotting helicopter happened to see them.
The post Man and dog rescued at sea after three months adrift appeared first on The Ship Report.
After yesterday’s show about bar and river pilots locally, I got some questions from a listener that include: How do pilots get from one place to another on land when they are working and not aboard ships? Are there places for them to sleep between shifts if needed? We’ll talk about pilot logistics on land, […]
The post Some answers to listener questions about bar and river pilots appeared first on The Ship Report.
For folks who may be new to the region, or any of us who haven’t thought recently about what it takes to get a ship from the mouth or the river to Portland – today’s show is an overview of what marine pilots do, and who is doing that work here on the lower Columbia.
The post Marine pilot overview – a vital but unseen profession appeared first on The Ship Report.
An incisive story in local newspaper the Chinook Observer analyzes the commonalities n drowning victims over the years on the Peninsula. A distinct pattern has emerged: victims are mostly young, fit swimmers who are overcome by cold water and rip currents, often on days when beach conditions appear ideal and unthreatening.
The post Chinook Observer story analyzes beach drownings appeared first on The Ship Report.
In light of scary news about high ocean temps off Florida (90 degrees, F.!), we take a look at what’s happen in the opposite corner of the country, in our Pacific NW ocean and weather neighbothood, courtesy of University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass.
The post Cliff Mass predicts low-key summer PNW weather, cites cooler ocean temps appeared first on The Ship Report.
A new containership has joined the fleet of the huge shipping line Maersk, and what makes it special is that it runs on green methanol. We’ll talk about what that is, and why it’s an important step in the evolution toward cleaner fuels for the shipping industry.
The post New containership highlights green methanol as ship fuel appeared first on The Ship Report.
Tuesday nights in the summer, Astoria residents and visitors can see the Astoria Yacht Club sailboat races happening in the river, starting at about 6 pm a little downriver from the Megler Bridge. It’s a neat opportunity to watch sailors negotiate the tricky waters, currents and winds of the lower Columbia. Photo credit: Joanne Rideout, […]
The post Sailboat races off Astoria in the Columbia River appeared first on The Ship Report.
A luxury cruise ship arrives in Astoria today. She’s on her way south to San Francisco, where passengers will board her for a 20-day trip through the Panama Canal to NY. If you have a spare $8K you’d like to spend, that’s what costs to book passage.
The post A look at today’s ship schedule, including a luxury cruise ship, and a chance for northern lights this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, in the final installment of an interview with Samaro Bannister, the captain of the Cal Maritime training ship the Golden Bear, Captain Bannister describes the ship’s two-month intinerary around the Pacific, ending up in Astoria for the 4th of July holiday. The trip included a rare honor: students became “golden shellbacks” after the ship […]
The post A trip to Samoa on the training ship Golden Bear, and becoming a Golden Shellback appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear more from my interview with Captain Samaro Bannister – she’s the master of the Cal Maritime training ship, the Golden Bear, which spent 5 days in Astoria pver the 4th of July holiday weekend. Today we talk more with Captain Bannister about running a training ship, where your cargo is students who […]
The post More about life at sea aboard the Cal Maritime training ship, the Golden Bear appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear the first segment of an interview with the captain of the Cal Maritime training ship, the Golden Bear. Captain Samaro Bannister is a 2000 graduate of the school with an impressive career in the maritime industry. She holds an unlimited masters license, which allows her to serve as the master on any […]
The post A chat with the captain of the Golden Bear appeared first on The Ship Report.
We have a special visitor in town for the 4th; the California Maritime Academy’s cadet training ship the Golden Bear is in town. She’s docked at the Port of Astoria until Wednesday. The school is a four-year university that teaches students who want to work in the maritime professions. Image: The original uploader was Frijole […]
The post Cal Maritime training ship the Golden Bear visits Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we conclude our chat with marine Chief Engineer Bill Young, with a wide ranging talk about liquid cargoes, ballast, double hulled vessels, storms at sea, and seasickness.
The post ATBs& ITBs: cargo, ballast, double and single hulls, and storms at sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear more from my interview with marine Chief Engineer Bill Young, about the technology and uses of ATB and ITB technology in the shipping industry.
The post ATBs & ITBs: more questions answered appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we’re talking about a specialized type of vessel we see here on the Columbia, the ATB (articulated tug and barge) and the ITB (integrated tug and barge). We’ll learn more about how they work, and about the use of the super hard tropical wood, lignum vitae, for high stress bearings and other uses, […]
The post More about ATBs and ITBs from marine chief engineer Bill Young appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we begin a series on ATB and ITB tug and barge rigs: articulated and integrated tug and barge units. We see a lot of them on the Columbia, and they kind of look like a ship, but they’re not. Chief Engineer Bill Young will be talking with us about them this week. A look […]
The post A maritime expert talks about ATBs and ITBs appeared first on The Ship Report.
This past weekend in France, a huge crowd gathered on the beach, in the seaside town of Les Sables d’Olonne, for the awards ceremony honoring the sailors who competed in the 2022 Golden Globe solo round-the-world sailing race. The race began and ended there after sailors circled the planet in small boats. Out of 16 […]
The post Kirsten Neuschafer honored for Golden Globe Race victory appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at who’s coming and going on the river. A little about how wind, swells and tide affect the sea state on the river and the ocean. And a general chat about various aspects of the vessels we are seeing today.
The post A day of ships on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s a longstanding maritime ethic that mariners go all out to help one another when there’s a crisis. There’s one now happening in the North Atlantic, as maritime resources converge on a spot 900 miles off Cape Cod to search for a missing submersible with tourists on board.
The post Maritime resources converge on North Atlantic rescue site appeared first on The Ship Report.
The eyes of the world are currently on a spot in the vast North Atlantic, where rescuers are searching for a small submersible. It disappeared while carrying tourists who hoped to see the wreck of the Titanic on the ocean floor 2.5 miles down. The rescue effort shows the limitations and reality of what rescuers […]
The post Lost submersible accident shows us that rescue may not always be possible appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s deja vu all over again: waterspouts are back off the Oregon Coast. In 2016, a waterspout came ashore and the tornado ripped through Manzanita, causing $1 million in damages, although no one was injured. These formations are associated with strong thunderstorms and we’ve seen them more often off the coast in recent years. The […]
The post Waterspouts sighted off Oregon coast appeared first on The Ship Report.
I happened to be looking out over the Columbia River in Astoria this week and saw an interesting water anomaly that I’d never noticed before. It turned out to be an effect from a tidal eddy, something to watch out for if you’re in a small boat, and another sign of the power of our […]
The post The back eddy: a cool and sometimes useful tidal anomaly on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about wind and engines, and how they differ in their ability to get ships to where they want to go.
The post Wind and the incredible advent of the ship’s engine appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about who’s on the river and take a quick look at the concept of a “ship schedule” on the river… it’s not like buses and trains. Ships depart and arrive according to a complex set of factors. We as the public get to see them as they go, when they go.
The post A look at our ship schedules, and a little about time and ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about typical ship paint color schemes and some ideas on why they are that way. A big factor: visibility at sea.
The post Ship paint colors appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today our visiting Rose Festival ships depart. We’ll talk about who is headed downriver and when you might be able to see them pass by.
The post The Rose Festival Fleet departs today appeared first on The Ship Report.
I got a listener question about river pilots and so I thought it would be fun to talk more specifically about their work, another seldom-seen aspect of river expertise and experience.
The post River Pilots – a look at their work appeared first on The Ship Report.
It looks like the last of the military vessels arriving for the Rose Festival in Portland are passing by us today on the river. We saw a change of plans for one ship, the USS Lake Champlain, which had been at the Port of Astoria for the past few days – she headed out to […]
The post Rose Festival Fleet update, and change of plans appeared first on The Ship Report.
More about who’s coming into the river this week for the Rose Festival Fleet,
The post Tuesday Fleet Week update appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear about when ships will be coming upriver for Fleet Week for the Portland Rose Festival.
(The image here is the USS Lake Champlain, currently at the Port of Astoria.)
Here’s a quick look at the ships that will be coming in from out in the Pacific and heading to Portland as part of the Rose Festival Fleet:
Tuesday
- HMCS Yellowknife – Vancouver BC to Portland – Ast~5:30am/Ptld~2pm
Wednesday
- HMCS Nanaimo – Canada to Portland – Ast~5:30am/Ptld~2pm
- HMCS Edmonton – Canada to Portland – Ast~5:30am/Ptld~2pm
Thursday
- USS Lake Champlain – Port of Astoria to Portland – Dep Ast~8am/Ptld~4pm
This schedule is for ships entering the river from the Pacific Ocean to attend the Rose Festival. There will be other vessels in attendance at the festival that are already on the river and will be in Portland.
For more info about Fleet Week, here’s their website: https://www.rosefestival.org/events/2023/fleet-week2
The post Who will be coming upriver for Fleet week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, an overview of what ships we’ll see here in the river for Fleet Week, a cherished part of the annual Rose Festival in Portland.
The post Rose Festival Fleet week is here appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear more from retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Robert Johnson about lights on ships at night, including some interesting detail about bar pilot boardings in the ocean at night. We’ll hear about measures taken on board ships so that pilots and their helicopter crews can see what they are doing as they handle pilot operations in the dark on a moving vessel.
The post More on ship running lights at night appeared first on The Ship Report.
We see this every day on the river and probably don’t notice it. But it’s a really important design feature on all the ships we see: the bulbous bow.
The post The bulbous bow appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look back in the Ship Report archives to an interview about running lights, with retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.
The post Running lights, vital equipment for night time travel on the water appeared first on The Ship Report.
Folks were tlaking recently about a ship that appeared off the coast in the ocean off Cannon Beach and appeared to be running back and forth up and down the coast in a small area.
While it turned out to be one of our Military Sealift Command vessels waiting for a berth in Portland, there’s a wonderful backstory about why the ship was so close to shore. A reminder that just because we don’t know why something is happening, that doesn’t mean the worst.
The post The wonderful back story of a “mystery ship” appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week some shipwatchers noticed the GSL Eleni coming down river: an odd sight, she was a containership with no containers on board. We’ll talk a little about her backstory.
Photo of the GSL Eleni, courtesy Gregg Akehurst, shared with permission from the Ship Report Community Photo Page on Facebook. The ship is heading downriver on the Columbia with a support tug on her stern.
The post A closer look at unusual ship on the river this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at something that goes relatively unnoticed here on the river every day: the work of marine pilots on ships here on the Columbia River. They are part of a network of marine professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure safe transit of vessels from the ocean to ports and back again.
The post A look at marine pilots on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
In most drowning accidents, the victim was not wearing a PFD, or lifejacket. It’s a sad and somewhat bewildering statistic that most people don’t wear a lifejacket when boating or otherwise in the water. Today we talk about some of the misconceptions about the lowly PFD. It’s an often-ignored piece of ordinary gear that could save your life.
The post The oft-misunderstood but essential lifejacket appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Panama Canal region is in the midst of a drought, and there simply is not as much water in the canals and lakes as ships are accustomed to. Starting this week, they’ll have to load less cargo. This will have a ripple effect through the shipping industry that will cause costs to rise for some goods.
The post Drought at the Panama Canal appeared first on The Ship Report.
This “simple” listener question sent me down an interesting path of research and talking with experts. The answers show the wide influence the power of the river has in our lives.
The post Where exactly is the Columbia River Bar? appeared first on The Ship Report.
So there was this ship in the ocean off Cannon Beach this week that had a lot of people wondering… and well, today – the mystery is solved. That ship came into the river and headed to the ship yard at Swan Island. We’ll talk more today about her, why she seemed a bit mysterious, and why sometimes things that may confuse us as the public may just be part of the regular work day for the maritime professionals here in our region.
The post Mystery ship revealed as USNS oiler heads for Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
Cool ship alert: the USNS Mercy heads downriver this morning from the shipyard in Portland after a major upgrade that took months. She’s a US Navy hospital ship with 1,000 beds, 12 operating rooms, and lots of other services on board.
Image courtesy: Jim Bedient, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The post USNS Mercy heads out to sea after major shipyard refit in Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
There’s a ship anchored in an unusual place on the Columbia near Puget Island. Occasionally ships have problems that cause them to stop in places they normally would not. Luckily, we have an abundance of skilled mariners to solve problems and get things back to normal quickly.
The post Out of place ship tells a story of skill in an emergency appeared first on The Ship Report.
Recruitment of their usual demographic in the Coast Guard is down: 18-year old high school grads are not choosing to sign up as much as they once did.
So the agency is making plans to open up recruitment to older people with work experience and education, and possibly part time opportunities as well.
It’s part of an effort to get the personnel they need for their mission, and also to diversify their workforce in a changing world.
The post Recruitment changes could open up Coast Guard opportunities appeared first on The Ship Report.
It was a weekend of rescues, missing kids, and a lost life at the beach. One more time, let’s talk about how the ocean is more powerful than any of us, and how it needs to be respected. And the ripple effect that beach tragegies have on the people involved, their rescuers and the personnel who conduct often fruitless recovery efforts. Not to mention anyone on the beach when a tradedy happens. The effect is profound and long lasting. And it’s so preventable.
The post Tragedy at the beach appeared first on The Ship Report.
The CL Lindy, the cargo ship carrying wind turbine blades that made an unscheduled stop at the Port of Astoria last week to resolve some cargo issues, is still there. She’s waiting on repairs to a broken crane on board. Until that’s fixed, she’ll stay in Astoria. Depending on how quickly those repairs happen, she could be on her way soon. If she is still here by the end of the day today, she will move to the Astoria Anchorage temporarily to make way for a cruise ship that is calling at the Port on Tuesday.
The post Equipment problems plague cargo ship at Port of Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, in a very unusual maneuver, a bulk carrier will stop at the Port of Astoria and unload six wind turbine blades onto a barge for transport to Longview.
It should make for an interesting sight for folks who can stop by the port docks for a peek. Look for the CL Lindy around 8 am at the Port.
The reason she’s stopping there is that some of her cargo is blocking visibility from the bridge and that has to be remedied for safety reasons. It will be a time consuming and delicate operation.
The post Unusual cargo transfer at the Port of Astoria today appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about cold water immersion issues when the air is hot and the water is cold. We’ll talk about why that can be a dangerous combination.
The post Spring brings a dangerous combination: hot weather and very cold water appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll see two huge cruise ships in town for the day, potentially doubling the population of Astoria in visitors. One ship will anchor off the downtown waterfront, and take passengers back and forth between the ship and land by boat.
The post Two cruise ships for the price of one today in Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Last week marked the 67th birthday of an invention that utterly changed shipping: the humble, ubiquitious shipping container. It’s advent, the brainchild of an efficiency-minded trucker, shifted how the world moves cargo, and led to the fast-paced world of ocean commerce we have today.
The post Today we celebrate the humble shipping container appeared first on The Ship Report.
One more story from the Golden Globe Race: soon after Kirsten Neuschafer made history with her win in the Golden Globe solo round the world sailing race, another contender came across the finish line, a day later.
His story is a startling and amazing true tale: Abilash Tomy, Indian Navy officer, aviator, and accomplished long distance sailor. He came back from a tragic accident in the last GGR in 2018, a traumatic event that left him initially unable to walk. Four years later, he came back to compete in what is probably the most grueling boat race in the world, and after 8 months at sea and many setbacks, made it across the finish line to win second place.
The post The extraordinary story of the man who came in second appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday, solo sailor Kirsten Neuschafer won the Golden Globe Race, after spending 235 days alone in a small boat sailing round the world. In doing so, she became the first woman to ever finish the race, the first to ever win it, and the first woman to win any solo round the world sailing race.
The post Kirsten Neuschafer wins the Golden Globe appeared first on The Ship Report.
Monday we saw a pretty darn big cruise ship leave Astoria, with gusty winds and current among her logistical challenges. She did it smoothly and without tug assistance. Today we’ll talk about thrusters – high tech sideways propellers that have been a game changer for ship maneuverability.
The post High tech thrusters make maneuvering easier for cruise ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
When you get sick at home, you can probably hit the couch for a few days and recover. Hopefully you’ll have sick leave at your job. But what if you work on a ship? How is illness or injury handled when a ship is far from shore? We’ll talk about the options on cruise ships and cargo ships.
And we’ll hear a parting audio glimpse of the cruise ship Royal Princess, which visited Astoria yesterday.
The post Sick at Sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today the Port of Astoria hosts the Royal Princess, a pretty large cruise ship by anybody’s standards. We’ll see how she stacks up against another really big ship we saw here recently, the containership MSC Katie.
Photo credit: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
The post There’s a big cruise ship in town in Astoria – how big is she? appeared first on The Ship Report.
We haven’t taken a close look at our ship traffic lately, so let’s see who’s on the river today. Turns out some interesting ships and other vessels will grace the river, part of the continuing chain of commerce.
The post A closer look at today’s Ship Schedule appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, in the final installment of my interview with Lt. Junior Grade Kirsten Sharp on board the USCG buoy tender Elm in Astoria, I asked her about what her work has been like for her in the military, and what job opportunities are like for women in today’s Coast Guard. (Spoiler alert: yes, her job is really cool.)
The post Interview on board the Elm, Part 5: Careers in the Coast Guard for women appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, more from Lt. Junior Grade Kirsten Sharp about the basic work of a buoy tender: what happens on the buoy deck, and how the ship manages to stay upright when she’s hauling a 5 ton buoy up deck in rough seas.
The post More from the buoy deck of the USCGC Elm, Astoria’s buoy tender, Part 4 appeared first on The Ship Report.
More from my interview with Lt. Junior Grade Kirstan Sharp, operations officer on board the USCGC Elm. Today we go from the bridge to the buoy deck to talk about this ship’s important mission.
The post We continue our spotlight on the USCG Buoy Tender Elm appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll hear more from my tour of the USCGC Elm, Astoria’s hometown buoy tender with Lt. Junior Grade Kirsten Sharp. We’ll learn about the bridge, and how a 215 foot long ship can spin on a dime, thanks to cool technology and a joystick.
The post Interview on board the USCGC Elm, Astoria’s buoy tender, Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we begin hearing excerpts of my interview with Lt. Junior Grade Kirsten Sharp, operations officer on board the USCGC Fir, Astoria’s buoy tender. This week we’ll learn about what buoy tenders do, and about opportunities for women in the Coast Guard.
The post A close up look at the USCGC Elm, Astoria’s buoy tender appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear Part 2 of an interview with anthropogist and author Dr. Margaret Willson about her new book, “Woman, Captain, Rebel, The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain.”
We’ll take a look at what it was like to commercial fish during the early 1800s in Iceland. People went to sea in open rowboats, clad in woolen clothing with animal skins for protection against the elements, with the fish piling up around their feet as they worked, often in wintry conditions..
The post Woman, Captain, Rebel: a new book about a female Icelandic sea captain, Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we begin hearing excerpts from an interview with University of Washington anthropologist and author Dr. Margaret Willson, whose new book was just published. It’s called, “Woman, Captain, Rebel, The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain.” Dr. Willson recently spoke at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.
The post Woman, Captain, Rebel: a new book about a female Icelandic sea captain appeared first on The Ship Report.
After a nailbiting couple of days, we’ll talk about the conclusion of the story of the injured racing sailor on a badly damaged sailboat, in a vicious storm in the south Atlantic – 1200 miles offshore, alone.
The post The rest of the story – about the rescue of solo sailor Ian Herbert Jones appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday a dire situation arose in the south Atlantic Ocean for one of the Golden Globe solo round the world sailing race participants. He was overtaken by a huge storm 1200 miles off the coast of Argentina. Battling steep seas and 100 mph gusts, his boat rolled and was dismasted. Now he’s injured and trying to keep the boat afloat until a nearby UK fisheries vessel can get to him from 300 miles away. Today we’ll talk about what can happen when you are alone in a terrible storm at sea.
The post Golden Globe solo racer in trouble in the south Atlantic appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll clarify whether the MSC Katie was the biggest container ship ever to come into the Columbia River or the biggest ship, period. The answer isn’t always intuitive when it comes to ship measurement. Sometimes it depends on something called “gross tonnage.” We’ll talk about how the maritime industry assesses ship size.
The post How ship size is measured, and it’s probably not what you think appeared first on The Ship Report.
Even though this week seems sto have been all about the MSC Katie, the largest container ship ever to transit the river, there were other ships coming and going on the river, part of the ongoing chain of commerce we rely on. We’ll see who’s on the river today,and also check in to see what’s next for the MSC Katie, when she’ll leave her berth at the Port of Portland and head out to sea.
The post A look at our ship schedule (it’s not all about the MSC Katie) appeared first on The Ship Report.
That big ship, the MSC Katie, is now at the Port of Portland unloading containers. Today, answers to some listener questions about the largest containership to ever visit the river.
The post MSC Katie followup: answering some listener questions appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a new recordholder on the river: the MSC Katie now becomes the largest containership every to transit the Columbia.
We’ll talk about what criteria make a ship biggest, how containerships are tending to get larger all the time, and how the Katie compares to other large containerhips we’ve seen recently on the river.
The post The MSC Katie: the latest, biggest containership ever to transit the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Lots of bustling commerce happens on the river here that many of us don’t see. We can thank two amazing workhorses of the maritime world: the tug and barge.
The post The secret life of tugs and barges appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at Terrible Tilly, the former site of a lighthouse on a rock in the Pacifi Ocean off Ecola State Park. The old lighthouse site is getting new life as the current owner attempts to refurbish the weather-beaten structure. The rock has been taken over for years by sea lions, seals and sea birds, and is still just about as hard to get to as she always was. We’ll talk about how Tilly came to be, a bit about her history, and what her future might hold.
The post Terrible Tilly gets new life appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a closer look at a couple of arriving ships, and we’ll also hear a poem written by Irish poet David Whyte, who lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The poem is titled, “Light Over Water,” and it’s about what I like to call the “beautiful ordinary,” those lovely things that happen right under our noses, things we often miss.
The post Some poetry to start your weekend, and more ship details appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the rules about when a pilot is required to be aboard a ship in the river, and why most do, whether they are required to or not.
The post Are all ships in the river required to have pilots on board? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Just like there are rules of how we behave on the road in our cars, there are rules about how to behave when you are in a boat. Today we talk about how to handle if it you meet another vessel when you are traveling on the water.
The post Rules of the road on the water appeared first on The Ship Report.
Our oceans are accumulating a staggering amount of plastic, at a pace that shows no signs of slowing. Now a new UN treaty aims to address this growing problem, for the health and welfare of all nations.
The post A look at the staggering amount of ocean plastic, and a new treaty that may help appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll see a cruise ship in the river, but she’s not carrying passengers. This time this ship is headed for the shipyard. We’ll talk about what shipyards do, and why Portland’s Swan Island yard is specially equipped to handle big ships like this one.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
The post Cruise ship heads to Portland drydock appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ll take a look at who’s arriving and departing on the river today, and talk a little about the upriver portion of the chain of commerce that folks on the lower river don’t always see.
The post Today’s ships, and a bit about the things we don’t see appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about those odd-looking car ships we see on the river, and about new brands of cars coming into the Port of Portland.
The post Cars on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Beaufort Wind Scale is that table of wind speeds which gives us assessments of wind intensity based on a scale from 0-12, according to what we see happening around us on land and sea. It was created in the early 1800s, and is still used today. It evolved from earlier, vaguer scales that weren’t defined clearly. Today we take a look at the evolution of the Beaufort Scale. Some of its iterations were really helpful to mariners, and some were just, well, charmingly silly.
The post The odd and sometimes humorous history of the Beaufort Wind Scale appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Sargasso Sea has been in the news this week, because of drifting seaweed that could reach the US. But during the age of wind, mariners on sailing ships feared the Sargasso, because ships often became becalmed there and crews perished from starvation and lack of drinking water.
The post The legendary Sargasso Sea and why it was so feared by sailors appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today is the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere. But for meterologists, spring has been in session since the 1st of March.. We’ll talk about why there are two springs, two falls, two summers, etc.
The post It’s the first day of spring! Or is it? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about the latest “biggest container ship in the world,” the MSC Irina. She can carry more than 24,000 containers – that’s a lot. But is she the biggest ship? We’ll talk about how “bigness” is defined in the world of shipping.
The post There’s a new “biggest container ship in the world” – what does that mean? appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week ODFW announced that the spring commercial chinook salmon fishing seasons south of Cape Falcon would be cancelled this year. And the recreational fishery is closed for part of that area of the coast. More to come on summer and fall seasons, which have yet to be decided.
The post News on ocean salmon seasons for southern Oregon coast appeared first on The Ship Report.
The first US ferry to use hydrogen as its fuel source will go into service later this year in San Francsico. We’ll talk about ferries, ships, pollution, and carbon footprints.
The post First hydrogen-powered ferry in the US set to get underway in San Francisco appeared first on The Ship Report.
A bit of information today about anchorages on the river and what they are for. And why some days anchorages are empty and on others they seem full of ships.
The post Why some days anchorages are empty, and on others they seem full of ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, the answer to a listener question about an odd-looking ship on the river, which prompted a riddle: “When is a ship not a ship?” Answer: when it’s an ATB.
The post Listener question about an odd looking ship appeared first on The Ship Report.
One of the most common listener question I get is people asking and speculating about what is on barges that pass by Astoria with a white powdery substance on board. They want to know what it is and why it doesn’t blow off in the wind. It’s crushed limestone and the reason it stays put has to do with a property of substances that can be gathered in piles: it’s called “angle of repose.”
The post Answer to a frequent listener question about barges appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ll take a look at a situation in the North Atlantic where a containership lost almost 50 containers overboard. Now the Coast Guard has issued an alert for boaters. We’ll talk about the risks.
The post Containership loses containers off Bermuda: what does that mean for boats? appeared first on The Ship Report.
In nautical terms, a channel is a very important thing. We have a ship channel in the Columbia River and it’s vital that mariners know where it is, whether they are professionals working on a ship or tug, or recreational boaters out having fun. We’ll talk today about channels and how you locate them.
The post What’s a ship channel? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday we saw another ship with engine trouble on the lower Columbia, and she was close enough to Astoria to attract a lot of attention. It’s a good opportunity to talk about how our river professionals, master mariners and their colleagues, handle an unexpected crisis.
The post A ship with engine trouble in the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we coast a little on the energy of the Fisher Poets Gathering, and hear a song by the late Jon Campbell of Rhode Island, all about what happened to one ship, an old and somewhat ordinary coastal tanker, when she was too old to go to sea anymore. It’s called “The Mary,” and it’s one of his best works.
The post What happens to old ships? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The final installment in our series about Samantha Steerman, a dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. An inside look at a little-known job. Her work is vital to the safe passage of ships on the river.
The post Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 5 in a series this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Day 4 in our 5-part series about Samanta Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. She’s part of a team of skilled professionals that make it possible for ships to enter and leave the complex and challenging Columbia River.
The post Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 4 in a series this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Day three of our series about Samanta Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Her job is demanding and essential to keeping ship traffic safe on the river.
The post Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 3 in a series this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we continue our look at a little known aspect of the maritime industry – we’re talking with Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. He work is essential to the safe passage of huge cargo ships on the river.
The post Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 2 in a series this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week I’m taking a time off, and so we’ll be hearing a series of interviews I did last summer with an impressive local maritime professional: Samantha Steerman. She’s one of the behind the scenes essential people who help make things run smoothly for big ships on the river.
Samantha is currently the dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. But she has a long history working in the maritime industry locally. This week we’ll hear segments from my interview with her. Enjoy this glimpse into a vital but seldom-seen role in the maritime industry.
This series first aired in late July and early August last year.
The post Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 1 in a series this week appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today more from past Fisher Poet performances, as we welcome the annual Fisher Poets Gathering back to Astoria live this weekend, for the first time since 2020. Today we’ll hear from long time FPG presenter, Fisher Poet Erin Fristad.
KMUN will be broadcasting live from the Liberty Theater from 5-10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Joanne Rideout will be your radio host both evenings.
You can hear KMUN locally at 91.9 fm in Astoria, 89.5 fm in Tillamook. Streaming live at kmun.org. Or use the KMUN app!
The post A woman’s perspective on commercial fishing appeared first on The Ship Report.
The only folks likely to be out in these stormy waters this time of year are cargo ships, fishing boats and the Coast Guard. All need to pay attention to the Freezing Spray Advisory, which is currently in our marine forecast.
We’ll talk today about what that means and why most fishing vessels have headed into port.
The post Freezing Spray Advisory highlights the dangers of cold temps and steep seas for commercial vessels appeared first on The Ship Report.
This weekend the Fisher Poets Gathering returns live to Astoria, Oregon, after a two-year digital stint during the pandemic. Now once again familiar downtown venues will be filled with music, poetry and storytelling about life at sea in the commercial fishing industry.
Today we remember one of the FPG’s greats, Jon Campbell, whose gritty, profund and often hilarious songs entertained us, made us laugh and cry. John passed away in 2022, but his spirit lingers on in the hearts of all those who love fisher poets and their work.
The post Fisher Poets Retrospective appeared first on The Ship Report.
Everywhere you turn in the weather forecast it’s gales this, and storms that, sneaker waves, beach warnings, and even – snow! We’ll take a look at how all this could affect everything from marine traffic to road traffic in our corner of the coastal PNW.
The post Winter storm warrnings and gale warnings mean an interesting week ahead on land and sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week, sailor Kirsten Neuschafer, in the lead in the grueling nonstop, solo round-the-world Golden Globe race, rounded Cape Horn, a significant milestone in this difficult competition.
She’s the only woman in the race and only the second woman ever to compete in the intentionally low-tech Golden Globe.
We take a look at Kristen’s accompishments, and also celebrate a few of the other women in history who have accomplished sailing around the world alone.
The post As Golden Globe Race frontrunner Kirsten Neuschafer rounds Cape Horn, we take a look at other women solo circumnavigators appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we could see wind turbine equipment arriving by ship for delivery to the Port of Vancouver. This is a cargo that requires special handling at sea and on land. We’ll talk about how these very large pieces get from one place to another.
The post The path of cargo to its final destination can be complex appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at yesterday’s maybe a snow day but maybe not… turns out our sometimes seemingly whimsical weather forecasts are a consequence of living on the edge of the continent, where most of our weather comes to us from the sea.
The post Why are our weather forecasts sometimes unclear about what will happen and when? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Columbia River Bar is on Red status until the weather clears sometime this morning. We’ll take a look at why our river’s mouth is considered the most dangerous river entrance in the world by marine insurer Lloyd’s of London.
The post Why bad weather closes the river bar here on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve got a little bit of everything on our weather plate today, on land and sea: High Surf Advisory, Winter Weather Advisory, Columbia River Bar on Yellow status, which means ship traffic maybe asked to wait. We’ll see what happens as this Alaskan weather system spins through our area today.
The post Wintry weather could slow ship traffic appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at tides and how they affect ships in the anchorages. And more on how weather can affect tides too. Watching the tides is one way to feel a little more connected to our natural world.
The post Tides, weather and ships in the anchorage appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about a recent sight on the river that caught my attention and the attention of some other people too: what looked like white smoke pouring from a ship heading upriver. Turns out it has a much better explanation: it’s steam from scrubbers that are pulling pollutants out of the exhaust to meet new emissions standards enacted three years ago.
Today we’ll revisit the maritime industry game-changing regulation that cut certain damaging ship emissions in half: IMO 2020.
The post What looks like smoke from ship stacks on the river has a much better cause: IMO 2020 appeared first on The Ship Report.
With skippers having traveled about 20,000 miles in this grueling solo round the world race, boats remaining the race are approaching Cape Horn. This stretch is possibly the most treacherous part of their path to circle the globe without stopping or accepting outside aid. Already boats have suffered damaging knockdowns and endured 60 knot winds.
The post Knockdowns, broken gear and injuries highlight the tough Golden Globe solo race appeared first on The Ship Report.
A fishing boat was lost at sea on Sunday off Willapa Bay, with two survivors and a lost crewman who has been the subject of an ongoing Coast Guard search. Tragedies like these remind us how much we owe our hardworking fishing families. It’s a sad fact that news stories like these are often overlooked by mainstream media, because death and tragedy at sea are not uncommon. It’s up to us, their local communities, to honor their loss.
The post Lost fishing boat highlights the connection between our lives and and their work appeared first on The Ship Report.
In one of the most bizarre maritime stories to ever happen here on the lower Columbia, a wanted fugitive from Canada, who was also wanted by local police, allegedly stole a boat in Astoria and ended up being rescued by the Coast Guard near the mouth of the river after somehow making it across the infamous Columbia River Bar.
It’s an odd cautionary tale that has something to teach us about what we can expect from the Columbia River Bar and boats in bad weather.
And incredible kudos to our local Coast Guard pesonnel for a dramatic and successful rescue under harrowing conditions.
The post The Case of the Mad Boat Thief appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week you might have seen a ship with a black hull and a red stripe sitting seemingly motionless in the river, unlike most vessels that are on a journey form one port to another. If you’d been able to get a closer look at that ship, you’d have seen people hard at work on an important project.
The ship was the USCG Cutter Elm, a buoy tender, maintaining and repairing navigational buoys in the river. It’s essential work that saves lives, but goes largely unnoticed by those of us on land.
The post An ususual ship that does a lot of important work appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at disaster averted in the UK, where pilots and tug crews kept a big containership from running aground. Expertise like this is part of doing business every day here on the river, and most of us have no idea it’s happening.
The post Why pilot and other specialized mariner expertise is so important in waterways like ours appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday, people along the Columbia River saw an unusual sight, a 1000-foot long containership being towed to Portland by four tugboats, in a fascinating and complicated example of coordination between multiple highly-skilled and experienced marine professionals.
The post The GSL Eleni and her day on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Another local news story, this one with expensive consequences. The captain of a local fishing boat is facing a fine of more than $40k for shutting off his AIS transponder while the boat was underway near the mouth of the Columbia River. We’ll talk about AIS and why it’s so important, and why shutting it off is illegal.
Also, more on that big containership that’s being towed upriver today.
The post Local fishing vessel could face $40k fines for shutting off AIS appeared first on The Ship Report.
Very early tomorrow morning an unusual occurrence will happen on the river: Tugs will tow a large containership upriver to Portland to have her rudder repaired. She’s been towed all the way from Seattle and will end up at Portland’s Swan Island shipyard. Getting her all the way here with tugs helping her steer is a delicate matter, made more complex by the mighty, winding Columbia. We’ll talk a little about the process.
The post Containership set to be towed up the Columbia to Portland early Tuesday appeared first on The Ship Report.
As hometown boats go, the Peacock is a star. She’s moored on land permanently outside the Columbia River Maritime Museum, but during her career as a pilot boat here on the Columbia and out in the ocean, she set a new standard for access to the river during bad weather, which revoutionized ship traffic here. Tip your hat to her as you drive by. She deserves it.
The post A look at a beloved Astoria vessel that was a gamechanger: the pilot boat Peacock appeared first on The Ship Report.
Many of us who live here in coastal Oregon and Washington are too familiar with the sad stories of people, often children, being pulled out to sea by rip currents and sneaker waves on area beaches.
But residents who try to warn visitors of the dangers often get a hostile response. What’s the average citizen’s responsibility here? And is there more we can do as beach communities to warn people of the dangers without scaring them away altogether, when tourism is an important part of the region’s livelihood?
The post How can we make beachgoing safer? And when do we speak up? appeared first on The Ship Report.
There’s a new RO-RO cargo ship under construction in Turkey, in what may be the first modern cargo ship to embrace sail as its primaryu mode of propulsion. (A RO-RO ship is a ship can can carry vehicles – Roll on, Roll off…)
We’ll talk about what thie new build will be like, and how it compares to the magnificent clipper ships of old, which were pretty darn fast in their own right – fast enough to compete with today’s engine-powered vessels.
The post A return to the era of sailing ships? A new cargo ship embraces sail appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we hear a sobering message from local Oregon Coast first responders who respond to incidents where beachgoers are swept away by sneaker waves on beaches and jetties: sometimes conditions are so bad they can’t save you.
With King Tides still an issue locally, and sneaker waves a threat year round, we hear today from the professionals who do their best for us during tragic emergencies on the water.
For more information about the interviews you heard on today’s show, see the Tillamook County Pioneer online (tillamookcountypioneer.net). The featured video on their website is called: Safe Storm Watching. Watch it here.
The post What if first responders couldn’t save you? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, something light to cheer us up – we’ll hear a song from New England singer-songwriter Molly Conole, called “Sea Talk,” about her thrilling (but initially bewildering) introduction to the world of recreational sailing, and catboats in particular.
Photo: Molly and Mark hard at work in the recording studio. Photo courtesy Mark Alan Lovewell.
The post A musical look at the bewildering world of sailboat jargon appeared first on The Ship Report.
One thing all of the ships we see on the Columbia have in common: they were all loaded properly at the dock for safe stability at sea. If this doesn’t happen, the consequences can be deadly.
The post Why cargo loading can be a life or death matter appeared first on The Ship Report.
A dead whale washed up on a beach in Warrenton, and experts attribute its death to a ship strike. We’ll talk about the risks ships pose for whales.
The post Whale washed up on Warrenton beach highlights ship dangers appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’re talking about how overpowering our waterways can be here on the PNW coast, where danger lurks not just on the infamous Columbia River Bar, but anywhere there’s a waterway that meets the Pacific Ocean.
The post Tragic incident shows the danger of waterways that rush to the sea appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, in the midst of rain, rain, rain, let’s talk about what’s up above the clouds: the sun, which is making its way into our days more and more as we head toward spring, even if we don’t notice it just yet. And a bit about the moon, that other celestial body we see now and then when the clouds part.
The post The days are getting longer even if it doesn’t feel like it appeared first on The Ship Report.
With the weather calmed down enough that ships are coming and going as usual on the river, it’s a good day to look at the names of the ships on the river today and see what we can learn about them. We’ll talk a little about how some ships are named.
The post A look at ship names appeared first on The Ship Report.
A tragic death in the UK this week, as a marine pilot dies in the course of doing his work. We’ll talk about what pilots do right here on the Columbia, and why their work is dangerous.
The post Tragic death highlights the risks inherent in being a marine pilot appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a story about a disastrous collision between two vessels, caused by one vessel’s failure to notice another – one that was right in front of them.
The post The high price of not looking out the window appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about an everyday thing that happens on the Columbia River, that actually takes a lot of skill and experience to pull off safely: two ships meeting and passing one another. And an unlikely but very successful ship maneuver called the Texas Chicken that’s been known to terrify ship captains who’ve never experienced it before.
The post How ships pass safely in a narrow channel, and the Texas Chicken appeared first on The Ship Report.
Weather forecasters are watching weather condition on the high seas offshore of the Pacific Northwest, for a huge storm with big seas and hurricane force winds, Lucky for us on land here in Oregon and Washington, it won’t hit us directly. But it’s a reminder of the power of nature and the luck of the draw – we’re ;ucky this time that it isn’t headed our way.
The post Big storm projected to form this week way offshore in the Pacific appeared first on The Ship Report.
In the midst of yet more windy winter weather, we take a look at how wind affects pedestrians and vehicles during a storm. Turns out it does’nt take all that much wind to make things dangerous for people on foot or driving.
The post Wind – how much is too much? appeared first on The Ship Report.
One weather system after another is marching through our area. More winter on the coast…
The post Still more weather coming in, get those candles, oil lamps and firewood ready appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at today’s weather – and how it’s a good example of how weather here in general might be deceiving – if we only rely on what we can see and feel when we step out the door.
The post Why it’s always important to check the marine weather before going out appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at this week’s marine weather, which includes a huge storm offshore in the ocean that will likely hit California hard but miss us in the northern part of Oregon and southwest Washington. The storm will give us big ocean swells and surf locally. We’ll also take a look at how big ships handle high seas and stormy weather when they can’t get to port in time.
The post Storm on the high seas will send us big swells appeared first on The Ship Report.
Each year in Astoria, Oregon, we ring in the new year with ship sounds on the downtown waterfront, courtesy of the Columbia River Bar Pilots and some gracious ship captains who sound their horns at midnight.
The post Welcoming in the new year with ship horns on the Astoria waterfront appeared first on The Ship Report.
On this last show of the year, some good thoughts to carry us into the future and some maritime music to set the tone for what we hope will be a bright new year.
The post Last show of the year, some thoughts for the future, and a little music appeared first on The Ship Report.
We had some high winds, lots of rain and some area rivers flooded. We’ll take a look at the numbers, including a 107 mph gust at Mt. Hood.
The post A look at some wind, rain and flooding data from Tuesday’s storm appeared first on The Ship Report.
We had a rowdy storm yesterday on the coast, with lots of havoc on land. But it probably doesn’t compare to what was happening at sea. We’ll take a look at yesterday’s conditions and compare them to what might have been happening out in the ocean, according to the Beaufort Wind Scale.
The post How did yesterday’s storm rate on the Beaufort Wind Scale? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about King Tides, which are making an appearance again this week as they do every winter season. We’ll talk about tides and how they show up around here and how they’re measured – such as, what’s a 12 foot tide?
The post King Tides are back appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about the winter solstice that happened yesterday, and what it represents: a turn toward the light, and the hopeful promise of a new year, and what mariners have to teach us about resilience.
The post Solstice: a lesson in turning toward the light appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about an old-fashioned, hands on way to get from one place to another on the water: it’s deduced reckoning, known as “dead reckoning.” You’ll need a chart, a compass, a few drafting tools, along with an understanding of distance, speed, current, wind and a few other skills. It was the way to go before GPS equipment took over our lives, and the lives of ships at sea.
The post Dead reckoning: a way to get around before GPS took over navigation appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at how ships get around at night when they can’t see where they’re going: navigation lights, buoys, sextants, stars, GPS, and a few thoughts about the loneliness of being a long distance sailor on a cargo ship, at night, far from land on the deep blue sea.
The post Navigating at night appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk in depth about the ship schedule, and especially those commonly seen barges on the river that have heaps of white powder on them. Lots of questions in the air about these when they do by, so we’ll talk about what’s on board.
(Spoiler alert: it’s limestone.)
The post Today’s ships and tugs, including those barges with the white powder appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we look at a type of vessel that that is a regular visitor to our waters: the ATB tug and barge rig. It’s sort of a hybrid of a ship and a tug and barge tow. More efficient in some ways, less expensive to operate than ships. Because of these quallities, we’re likely to see more of them as the years go by.
The post ATB rigs, an indepth look appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about the other kinds of vessels we see on the river, ones that don’t necessarily get mentioned on the Ship Report often. They’re important too.
The post All the other vessels on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Two people and a dog on board a small sailboat missing since Sunday were rescued 200 miles off the coast of Delaware by a cargo ship. The boat had lost power and run out of fuel, and the vessel was the subject of a huge coast guard search. The search was somewhat urgent, because the boat’s path took it past infamous Cape Hatteras, the Graveyard of the Atlantic. All on board were rescued, but, per the US Coast Guard, they could have saved themselves a lot of grief with a little more knowledge and planning.
Image credit: Captain-tucker, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The post Atlantic rescue shows amazing luck, and the need for preparedness and redundancy appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about seasickness and the type of vessel where you are least likely to get it – the submarine.
The post A type of vessel where you are least likely to get seasick appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at today’s ship schedule, which includes an interesting mix of foreign flagged and Jones Act-US flagged ships.
The post A look at today’s ship schedule, the Jones Act, and flags of convenience appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the USCG report on the grounding of the Ever Forward in Chesapeake Bay last spring. A situation where a life-changing mistake caused a very public incident with huge consequences.
The post Mistakes we can’t afford to make appeared first on The Ship Report.
today a look at ships at anchor – it may look like they’re just sitting there, but plenty of work is going on aboard the ship. And the crew might even get some much needed sleep.
The post Ships at anchor – what are they doing on board? appeared first on The Ship Report.
We take a short momrnt to remember Pearl Harbor Day and honor those who serve. Then a look at proposed floating offshore wind turbines for the West Coast. Can they handle our notorious weather, and the worsening weather worldwide? We’ll look at some research and recent history.
The post A look at wind power projects for the West Coast appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at an actual job listing for a oceangoing tugboat master working for Sause Bros. in Hawaii. We’ll take a look at salary, job duties and what certification you’d need to qualify for a life at sea on a tug.
The post How much could you make as a qualified tugboat captain? appeared first on The Ship Report.
A rogue wave hits a cruise ship, killing one passenger. We’ll talk about how this could happen and what it says about changes in the cruise ship industry – ships are going in places where they have not gone in the past, places where sea conditions can be more unpredictable than in calmer waters of the world.
The post Rogue wave causes cruise ship death appeared first on The Ship Report.
The16th annual Crabpot Christmas Tree Lighting event is happening in Ilwaco, Washington, this Saturday. It’s a unique, regional, maritime happening.
The post Crabpot Christmas tree lighting this weekend in Ilwaco, Washington appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at tomorrow’s forecast which portends the highest wind gusts so far this season, just another fall day in the coastal PNW. We’ll talk about what terms like “coastal jet” and “storm force winds” mean, and what effect all these things might have on ship traffic on the Columbia. The bottom line: no need […]
The post Coastal jets, storm force winds and other weather coming our way appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we’ve seen the season’s most wintry storm yet, and as snow accumulates inland and roads even on the coast get icy, ships are affected toom, in their ability to safely transit the river. We’ll talk about that today, and why it’s so important for ships to play it safe.
The post Wintry weather and river ship traffic, why it affects their transits appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ll take a look at a recent story about a man who fell overboard from a cruise ship and was rescued 15 hours later. The media is calling his survival a miracle. Is it? We’ll take a look.
The post “Miracle” rescue of overboard cruise ship passenger? appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve got seasonal weather coming in and so today we take a look at the weather, the Beaufort Wind Scale and why Small Craft Advisories pose problems for smaller boats.
The post A look at the weather appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the upcoming King Tides starting tomorrow, and wish our best to passing ships with US sailors on board, who will be away from home for one of the biggest holidays of the year.
The post KIng Tides this weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to US sailors at sea for the holiday appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, another look at the Golden Globe round-the-world sailing race, after a dramatic rescue of one solo sailor by another, 450 miles offshore.
The post Rescue on the high seas appeared first on The Ship Report.
A deeper look at how much it costs to run a ship, and a correction. We’ll take a dive into the astronomical amounts of fuel and money it takes to run a ship per year.
The post Another look at ship operating costs appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a look at how melting ice in the Arctic is posing national security issues for Canada, as more and more ships traverse the Northwest Passage across the top of the world.
The post Arctic melting leaves Canada vulnerable appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the progess of the Golden Globe solo round the world race, and the extraordinary decision one of the sailors made this week.
The post Golden Globe Race update: one participant makes a surprising decision appeared first on The Ship Report.
Another look at who’s coming and going on the river, including a bulk carrier with a unique conveyor system on board that allows her to efficiently load and unload her specialized mineral cargo.
The post Ships on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
The first woman ever to head the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point was appointed this month. She’s a US Coast Guard Rear Admiral with a history of advocating for women’s rights in the maritime industry. She’s part of a wave of change in an industry that historically has not been welcoming to women. […]
The post First woman appointed to lead Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy appeared first on The Ship Report.
Last week we talked about the sinking of the ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald, and her tragic loss with all hands on November 10, 1975 in Lake Superior. This sad event echoed through Great Lakes communities, and people still commemorate this loss so many years later, as they honor the crew members and their families each […]
The post Fitz followup: memories from one who was there appeared first on The Ship Report.
She was known all around the world, thanks to Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song. But most people never knew that the song is a factual account of the sinking of a famous and beloved iron ore ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald. The sinking of the Mighty Fitz was one of the worst maritime tragedies in US history. […]
The post The Wreck of the Mighty Fitz appeared first on The Ship Report.
A closer look at who’s on the river today, from the perspective of where these ships fit into what’s essential in our daily lives.
The post Today we look at our ships on the river, and what they mean for us appeared first on The Ship Report.
Contenders have been at sea for a little over two months, and boats are now rounding the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa after departing France in September. In first place is Simon Curwen of the UK, and in second place, about a day behind him, is Kirsten Neuschäfer, from South Africa. Neuschäfer the […]
The post An update on the Golden Globe solo round the world race appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we see a full moon under clear skies, a rare thing this time of year. We also had a lunar eclipse this week. All reasons to appreciate the beauty and power of the Moon, that orbiting planet that exerts so much influence over our home, Earth. Image Credit: This file is licensed under […]
The post Full moon, lunar eclipse, the Moon is a big player in our night skies this week and always appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, as the weather turns cold and snow comes to the highlands, we’ll talk about how wind and temperature can work together to create life threatening circumstances on board for people working out in the weather.
The post Wind chill, a potentially life-threatening feature of winter on the water appeared first on The Ship Report.
First big storm of the season hits the coast today. We’ll talk about winter weather here, and look at some terms like “atmospheric river” and “coastal jet.” Overall, it’s not the worst storm we’ve ever seen by a long shot, but it’s going to rain like mad for awhile. Hunker down a bit, prepare for […]
The post We’ve got some weather comin’ in appeared first on The Ship Report.
Every day something both extraordinary and ordinary happens on our waterways: the changing of the tide. We seldom stop to think about it, but this ordinary occurrence represents the influence of powerful forces on the Earth by celestial bodies far from us, in outer space.
The post The little-noticed but stunning power of the tide appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at a story about a couple who almost died earlier this week when they were walking on the beach on the Long Beach Peninsula and were caught by a sneaker wave. We’ll look at why such waves occur here and not in other places, and why we need to be mindful even […]
The post One more time: story shows sneaker waves are a serious local threat appeared first on The Ship Report.
Projects like this have to jump through many permitting hoops before they get a green light to build. This project is facing opposition from local farmers. A key permit was reversed last week by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
The post Update on renewable diesel project planned for Clatskanie appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at a local job opportunity for an experienced mariner – a chance to teach and spend a little more time on land.
The post Maritime technology instructor job opening at Clatsop Community College appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve talked here on the Ship Report about the Mississippi River and even the Columbia River here having low water issues with drought. Now we can add another big waterway to that list: the St. Lawrence Seaway, which borders Canada and the US in the Northeast, is experiencing the lowest water levels in a decade. […]
The post Another big North American waterway navigates drought: The St. Lawrence Seaway appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we commemorate the loss of the cargo ship Peter iredale, a pretty famous vessel around these parts. What’s left of her metal frame still sits on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond. Even though it was now generations ago, the Iredale fell prey to some of the same conditions that still […]
The post The Peter Iredale – 116 years since she wrecked on the beach in Oregon appeared first on The Ship Report.
Drought on the MIssissippi is interrupting the shipping of goods and raw materials by water. This is a big deal. We too live by a large waterway that’s a highway for commerce. Today we’ll talk about what it means to have that water highway disrupted. The effects are far-reaching.
The post Drought on the Mississippi appeared first on The Ship Report.
With Hurricane Ian wreaking havoc on the East Coast, and our own difficult weather season creeping up on us, it’s a good day to talk about bad weather and ships. It’s important to know your ship and your storm before you allow them to meet.
The post Ships and bad weather appeared first on The Ship Report.
With Hurricane Ian wreaking havoc on the East Coast, and our own difficult weather season creeping up on us, it’s a good day to talk about bad weather and ships. It’s important to know your ship and your storm before you allow them to meet.
The post Ships and bad weather appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday we talked about risky water-based work, where people sometimes die in the course of their workday in commerical maritime professions, like marine piloting and fishing. Today we talk about the people who go out to rescue those people when they get in trouble. That’s the Coast Guard, another whole realm of risk. They’re trained […]
The post At the top of the list of risky maritime professions: the Coast Guard appeared first on The Ship Report.
Yesterday we talked about risky water-based work, where people sometimes die in the course of their workday in commerical maritime professions, like marine piloting and fishing. Today we talk about the people who go out to rescue those people when they get in trouble. That’s the Coast Guard, another whole realm of risk. They’re trained […]
The post At the top of the list of risky maritime professions: the Coast Guard appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a story from Atlantic Canada, where a mariner fell from a pilot boat this week in the course of a night’s work, and did not survive. We’ll talk about the inherent hazards in maritime jobs, and the risks those professionals take to bring us our stuff, or that delicious seafood dinner. And speaking of […]
The post The risks mariners take appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, a story from Atlantic Canada, where a mariner fell from a pilot boat this week in the course of a night’s work, and did not survive. We’ll talk about the inherent hazards in maritime jobs, and the risks those professionals take to bring us our stuff, or that delicious seafood dinner. And speaking of […]
The post The risks mariners take appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today on the river, we have a cool ocean-going tugboat of many talents headed for Alaska, and a wonderfully reassuring complement of wheat-bearing ships. All proof that the world continues to spin on its axis, and we are all still here.
The post Our surprising yet reassuringly typical ship schedule appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take another indepth look at today’s ship schedule, including how much fuel cruise ships use (we have one in town today), and the lovely meaning of the word “ubuntu,” which is part of one ship’s name on the river today.
The post A look at today’s ship schedule appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about the autumnal equinox, with its shorter days, which have actually been happening since June but we didn’t notice it. We’ll talk about what’s happening and what to expect between now and December, when the days start getting longer again.
The post The autumnal equinox brings shorter days appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about low water in the Columbia River, something that tends to happen this time of year. It’s a time when ships take extra precautions when traveling on the river, to make sure they have enough water under the keel.
The post Low water on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today there are four Jones Act vessels on the river: ships that were built here, are registered in the US, and are crewed by US citizens or nationals. They are a special breed of vessel. We’ll talk about the Jones Act and what it means for US shipping.
The post Four Jones Act vessels on the river today appeared first on The Ship Report.
As a follow up on yesterday’s show about the costs of operating ships, today we consider another cost of a different sort: the cost (which can be counted in more ways than simply money) of invasive species introduced through ballast water.
The post Ballast water & invasive species appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, I’ll estimate an answer to a listener question about what it costs to take a ship upriver to Porltand and back, and also about pollution ships give off while they are on the Columbia.
The post A listener question about ship costs and pollution on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
For the first time in history this month, a US Navy ship displayed an official Buddhist pennant, developed by the Navy for this purpose, during a religious ceremony on board. It’s part of U.S. military efforts at religious diversity and inclusion. Image courtesy U.S. Navy Press Office
The post Navy adds Buddhist pennant to its roster of religious flags appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a look at the most common destinations ships are heading to when they leave the Columbia River, often loaded with cargo from a local port.
The post Where do ships go when they leave here? appeared first on The Ship Report.
In the wake of the sinking of a commercial fishing boat in 2020 in the waters off Maine, the NTSB is recommending personal EPIRBs. Had the crew of the lost boat, the Emmy Rose, had them, they might be alive today.
The post NTSB calls for personal EPIRBs after fishing boat sinking appeared first on The Ship Report.
I’ve been offering updates on the proposed renewable diesel project that would be at the industrial park at Port Westward in Clatskanie. It’s a process, with many permits and legal challenges in the works. Here’s the latest update. For great coverage on this project, if you’d like to know more, see the Longview Daily News […]
The post Update on proposed Clatskanie renewable diesel plant appeared first on The Ship Report.
I’ve been offering updates on the proposed renewable diesel project that would be at the industrial park at Port Westward in Clatskanie. It’s a process, with many permits and legal challenges in the works. Here’s the latest update. For great coverage on this project, if you’d like to know more, see the Longview Daily News […]
The post Update on proposed Clatskanie renewable diesel plant appeared first on The Ship Report.
I know some of you are clinging to summer with all your might, but the truth is that fall is here, in the air, in the feel of things and also, on the weather calendar. September 1st is the start of what weather folks call meterological fall. We’ll talk about how it differs from the […]
The post Meteorological fall starts today appeared first on The Ship Report.
I know some of you are clinging to summer with all your might, but the truth is that fall is here, in the air, in the feel of things and also, on the weather calendar. September 1st is the start of what weather folks call meterological fall. We’ll talk about how it differs from the […]
The post Meteorological fall starts today appeared first on The Ship Report.
As the container gridlock eases in California ports, shippers are being urged to come back to ports like Long Beach and LA. What does that mean for Columbia River ports, which have seen an uptick in imported cargo since the pandemic began? We’ll talk about the possibilities.
The post Container gridlock eases in California ports appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Washington State Ferry System is in the process of converting its ferries to hybrid electric vessels, which will reduce ferry air pollution in Puget Sound by 76 percent.
The post Washington state will convert its ferries to hybrids appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Washington State Ferry System is in the process of converting its ferries to hybrid electric vessels, which will reduce ferry air pollution in Puget Sound by 76 percent.
The post Washington state will convert its ferries to hybrids appeared first on The Ship Report.
A listener asked how ships are arranged in the Astoria anchorage. We’ll talk about anchorage areas and how they are used and designated.
The post A listener question about anchorages appeared first on The Ship Report.
A listener asked how ships are arranged in the Astoria anchorage. We’ll talk about anchorage areas and how they are used and designated.
The post A listener question about anchorages appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at an agreement between Canada and Germany to produce hydrogen as fuel.
The post Hydrogen gains traction as a fuel source appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at an agreement between Canada and Germany to produce hydrogen as fuel.
The post Hydrogen gains traction as a fuel source appeared first on The Ship Report.
There’s an unusual ship passing Astoria headed to Portland today. She’s the Combi Dock 1, a heavy lift, semi submersible cargo ship, capable of carrying heavy, unusual loads that other ships can’t handle. Photo courtesy vesselfinder.com. https://www.vesselfinder.com/ship-photos/740013
The post Semi-submersible heavy lift ship heads to Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
There’s an unusual ship passing Astoria headed to Portland today. She’s the Combi Dock 1, a heavy lift, semi submersible cargo ship, capable of carrying heavy, unusual loads that other ships can’t handle. Photo courtesy vesselfinder.com. https://www.vesselfinder.com/ship-photos/740013
The post Semi-submersible heavy lift ship heads to Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, the story of a ship that hit an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and how that could have happened with all of the state of the art equipment available on ships nowadays.
The post Ship accident highlights situational awareness appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today, the story of a ship that hit an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and how that could have happened with all of the state of the art equipment available on ships nowadays.
The post Ship accident highlights situational awareness appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s fun sometimes to take a close look at one vessel going by on the river. Today we look at the work and history of the Cape Hudson, a Military Sealift Command ship that hauls vehicles and containers. She wasn’t always a US Navy ship.
The post A look at the Navy supply ship Cape Hudson appeared first on The Ship Report.
A person drowned in the water off Seaside on Saturday, despite the best efforts of life guards and other rescuers. The incident highlights water danger posed by rip currents, here in the Pacific Northwest.
The post Seaside drowning highlights rip current danger appeared first on The Ship Report.
A close look at ships on the river today. We’ll talk about “stick ships,” soda ash, containers, and what gypsum is used for.
The post Who’s on the River today? appeared first on The Ship Report.
When a big ship loses propulsion, it needs help. That was the case this weekend when a containership lost power to its propeller at sea off the mouth of the Columbia. Salvage crews, the US Coast Guard and bar and river pilots worked together to get the ship safely to the shipyard in Portland. We’ll […]
The post A “dead” containership is towed to Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
When a big ship loses propulsion, it needs help. That was the case this weekend when a containership lost power to its propeller at sea off the mouth of the Columbia. Salvage crews, the US Coast Guard and bar and river pilots worked together to get the ship safely to the shipyard in Portland. We’ll […]
The post A “dead” containership is towed to Portland appeared first on The Ship Report.
Exports of wheat have dropped steeply on the Columbia, as wheat production lags thanks to drought in wheat growing states.
The post Inland drought slows Columbia River wheat exports appeared first on The Ship Report.
Exports of wheat have dropped steeply on the Columbia, as wheat production lags thanks to drought in wheat growing states.
The post Inland drought slows Columbia River wheat exports appeared first on The Ship Report.
Right now the Rhine River in Europe, a major trade route, is seeing record low water levels that threaten trade. Experts say it’s a look at things to come. We’ll talk about water and commerce, and why drought matters.
The post Drought on the Rhine threatens European trade – a glimpse of things to come? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Right now the Rhine River in Europe, a major trade route, is seeing record low water levels that threaten trade. Experts say it’s a look at things to come. We’ll talk about water and commerce, and why drought matters.
The post Drought on the Rhine threatens European trade – a glimpse of things to come? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Earlier this month, a tragic incident near Skamokawa where two young men drowned in the Columbia. Today we’ll talk again about river hazards and how to prevent incidents like this from happening.
The post Preventing drownings on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Earlier this month, a tragic incident near Skamokawa where two young men drowned in the Columbia. Today we’ll talk again about river hazards and how to prevent incidents like this from happening.
The post Preventing drownings on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
More on on running lights from Capt Robert Johnson.
The post Archive Week: Running Lights Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
More on on running lights from Capt Robert Johnson.
The post Archive Week: Running Lights Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look back in the archives at an interview with Capt Robert Johnson about ship running lights.
The post Archive Week: Running Lights appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look back in the archives at an interview with Capt Robert Johnson about ship running lights.
The post Archive Week: Running Lights appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look a back in the archives at a conversation with Capt Debprah Dempsey and Radio Officer Terry Wilson, about rogue waves,
The post Archive Week: Rogue Waves appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look a back in the archives at a conversation with Capt Debprah Dempsey and Radio Officer Terry Wilson, about rogue waves,
The post Archive Week: Rogue Waves appeared first on The Ship Report.
The conclusion of the story of the sinking of the Meteor.
The post Archive Week: Meteor Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
I’m taking a little time off this week and am sharing some great clips from the archives. Today is part one of the Sinking of the Meteor, told by Michael McCusker as only he can.
The post Archive Week: The Sinking of the Meteor Part 1 appeared first on The Ship Report.
I’m taking a little time off this week and am sharing some great clips from the archives. Today is part one of the Sinking of the Meteor, told by Michael McCusker as only he can.
The post Archive Week: The Sinking of the Meteor Part 1 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Shiny Objects Well, I took at little time off last month and had a vacation, and now I’m back in the barn with my boat, Passage, plugging away toward getting her in the water. One of the big tasks I tackled again this week was taking the old, dingy hull with the muddy gel coat […]
The post Shiny objects can be a good thing, and a sign of progress appeared first on The Ship Report.
Every year in August, the Buoy 10 salmon fishery opens, and lots of boaters in small craft head out onto the lower Columbia off Astoria. It’s an opportunity for great fishing, and also an opportunity to use common sense to stay out of trouble on the water. We’ll also talk about the legalities of interactions […]
The post Buoy 10 fishery on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Tourist No. 2 is an old wooden ferry, with a long history in Astoria, that’s currently lying on its side in shallow water off the Astoria waterfront, leaking diesel. Her owner apparently doesn’t have the resources to mount a cleanup effort, so the Coast Guard is stepping in. Here’s what we know so far […]
The post Cleanup begins on the Tourist No. 2 Ferry sunk in Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
The John Day Dam lock system upriver from the Dalles is broken and a workaround in place means tug and barge traffic is slow through the dam. This would be an issue anytime, but more so now – because it’s harvest time and lots of wheat is waiting to come downriver to ships for export […]
The post John Day Dam lock damage highlights river commerce appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at the latest 2nd quarter data from the Seafarer Happiness Index. It shows mariner satisfaction is up significantly from low numbers in the first quarter of this year. But problems remain that are causing mariners to leave the industry.
The post New survey data shows mariner happiness is up appeared first on The Ship Report.
Right now a boat that played a big part in Astoria’s history is sitting partially sunk off the city’s waterfront. It’s the Tourist No.2, one of the ferries that used to take passengers across the river between Astoria and Megler before the big bridge across the Columbia River was built in the 60s. It’s a […]
The post The sinking of the old Tourist No. 2 Ferry in Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today is the final show featuring a recent interview with Samantha Steerman, vessel traffic coordinator for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Her job is unique, demanding and central to the transit of cargo ships on the river. Her role, like many jobs in the maritime industry, is largely hidden from the public. She’s part of […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 5 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today is the final show featuring a recent interview with Samantha Steerman, vessel traffic coordinator for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Her job is unique, demanding and central to the transit of cargo ships on the river. Her role, like many jobs in the maritime industry, is largely hidden from the public. She’s part of […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 5 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we continue this week’s series from my interview with Samantha Steerman. She’s the first woman ever to hold the position of vessel traffic coordinator, or dispatcher, for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. To imagine yourself in her job, picture yourself sitting at a desk with a microphone, a radio transmitter and receiver, and a […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 4 appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we continue this week’s series from my interview with Samantha Steerman. She’s the first woman ever to hold the position of vessel traffic coordinator, or dispatcher, for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. To imagine yourself in her job, picture yourself sitting at a desk with a microphone, a radio transmitter and receiver, and a […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 4 appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week, we’re hearing excerpts from a recent interview I did with Samantha Steerman. Her official job is Vessel Traffic Coordinator for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. She works on the waterfront in Astoria. Her job requires her to juggle a lot of competing priorities at once, and each one is important. She’s also the […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 3 appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week, we’re hearing excerpts from a recent interview I did with Samantha Steerman. Her official job is Vessel Traffic Coordinator for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. She works on the waterfront in Astoria. Her job requires her to juggle a lot of competing priorities at once, and each one is important. She’s also the […]
The post Samantha Steerman, Part 3 appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we’re hearing excerpts from my interview with Samantha Steerman: she’s the vessel traffic coordinator (dispatcher) for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. She coordinates the comings and goings of ships and pilots on the river. That means she spends a lot of time on the radio talking to people from all around […]
The post Samantha Steerman interview, Part 2 appeared first on The Ship Report.
This week we’ll hear excerpts from my interview with Columbia River Bar Pilot Dispatcher Samantha Steerman. She’s a seasoned professional in the maritime industry, and the first woman ever to hold the dispatcher’s position for the pilots. Her job requires her to multi-task like mad: handling emergencies, coordinating pilot transfers, and working daily with people […]
The post Columbia River Bar Pilots Dispatcher Samantha Steerman appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Jones Act is a US law that says that cargo ships going between US ports in domestic trade must be US built, US flagged, and crewed by US citizens or nationals. We have a Jones Act tanker on the river today, hauling Petroleum for Chevron. She’s an unusual ship because of her Jones Act […]
The post Jones Act tankers on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today a look at one of the great mysteries of the world: the Mariana Trench. Seven miles deep, it’s almost impossible to visualize how far down it is from the surface of the Pacific Ocean. It would be eerie to be floating above it in a ship, but that’s how a research vessel originally found […]
The post The Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth appeared first on The Ship Report.
Cargo ships pass by us in the ocean all the time, often many miles offshore. What happens when someone becomes ill enough to need serious help? A case in point happened this weekend, when a sailor was hoisted off a passing cargo ship after having a stroke 1000 miles from shore. What it took to […]
The post Sick at sea: what happens when someone on a ship needs help appeared first on The Ship Report.
The National Weather Service says we’re on track for another La Nina winter here in the PNW. That means snow, rain and probably good snowpack this winter. Elsewhere however, La Nina is not good news, since southern climes experience drought and increased fire danger. Some areas of our country and even our state here in […]
The post Meteorologists expect another La Nina winter in the PNW appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at what ships are on the river and an indepth look at their cargoes.
The post A close look at cargoes today on the river appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about common terms you might come across if you read about ships or watch any of the many videos on YouTube made by people who work in the maritime industry: tramp ship vs. liner, and various ship sizes, like: Handysize, Panamax, Suezmax and Capesize.
The post Some ship terms and what they mean appeared first on The Ship Report.
We’ve talked about flags of convenience before – those open registry countries like Panama that offer a low cost way for a ship owner to register their vessel and avoid the likely higher taxes and stricter safety rules of the country where they live. Today we take a look at who’s on the river and […]
The post Flags of convenience – a look at today’s ships and what flags they’re flying appeared first on The Ship Report.
On all the cargo ships we see on the Columbia is an odd looking design feature that’s quite important. It’s the bulbous bow, an odd looking protuberance off the very front of the ship just below the waterline. It may look strange, but it helps ships save fuel by reducing drag.
The post The bulbous bow – funny looking but functional appeared first on The Ship Report.
With the announcement of the newest “largest containership in the world,” we take another look at huge ships and what their limits may be, in terms of access to ports and their human crews being able to control them when they are underway. And, a look at the biggest ship in the world ever, so […]
The post When is big too big? Another look at large ships appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll take a look at that big, really big, containership that came into the Columbia on Friday. The MSC Shay – she is now officially the largest containership to transit the river. But what does that mean, and how big is she compared to the biggest ships in the world? We’ll take a look […]
The post How big is big? A look at containerships appeared first on The Ship Report.
A cruise ship that has visited Astoria before was cruising the waters off Hubbard Glacier in the southeast area of Alaska waters, an area common for cruises, and hit an iceberg. It’s an odd story, but maybe no longer quite so odd. Experts have warned us for years now that melting northern ice will mean […]
The post Cruise ship hits an iceberg off southeast Alaska appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Pacific Tracker is a US Department of Defense missile tracking ship, homeported in Portland at the shipyard at Swan Island. She carries big rafar arrayson deck, hidden under covers that look like giant golf balls. So it’s hard to miss her as she goes by. Photo courtesy marinetraffic.com. Photographer: Mike Cullom, Puget Island in […]
The post The Pacific Tracker heads downriver today appeared first on The Ship Report.
I was reading, in a sailing Facebook group that I belong to, about a person who just bought a new sailboat and is contemplating making the trip down the coast from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Astoria in the ocean. They were asking the group for advice. That got me thinking about the […]
The post The infamous Columbia River Bar appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we talk about “turning basins” on the Columbia River: what they are, where they are, and why a ship might need one.
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Today, a look at the swift moving currents on the Columbia, and what they mean for boaters and people who may end up in the water. Boating here means considering and working with current – it’s your constant companion if you are in a boat on the Columbia. Image: This file is licensed under the Creative […]
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A caring reminder that with our first nice weekend of the season, people will be flocking to our beaches. So go out there and have a good time. But remember, it’s the Pacific Northwest, not a tropical resort. Let’s remember that though the air is warm, the water remains dangerously cold.
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We’ll talk today about some of those events in the astronomical calendar that define our seasons. One of them is the summer solstice. But wait, if you’re in the southern hemisphere it’s the winter solstice. What’s up with that?
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Well, the weather’s getting nice and you know what that means… people will start going out on the water in boats – everything from kayaks to sailboats to power boats. So let’s talk a little about what to do if you’re on one, and it starts to sink. This happens probably more often than you […]
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A crisis on the water off Manzanita in the ocean this weekend: a commercial fishing boat caught fire and the captain, the only person on board, had to jump into the ocean to save himself. Fortunately, he was rescued by a nearby boater. We’ll talk about the tradition and legality of doing the right thing […]
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A big story in the news this week is the discovery of the timbers of a sunken Spanish galleon from 1693 in a sea cave on the beach near Manzanita, Oregon. This doesn’t mean you should run out there and try to find your own treasure. We’ll talk about why this is a bad idea […]
The post When archaeology and beachcombing might not mix appeared first on The Ship Report.
After the partial collapse yesterday of the old cannery building in Astoria that now houses Buoy Beer, we take a look at the inherent perils of owning a building that is built over the water on pilings. There are miraculous aspects to these old venerable structures, and plenty of nautical charm. But they can be […]
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In response to high spring tides augmented by widespread atmospheric river rainfall in the Pacific Northwest, the Army Corps of Engineers is restricting water flow over some dams to control downriver flooding.
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A look at the effects of heavy rain and spring tides on the Columbia – with more rain on the way. We’ll talk about what this means for people who live near the river and work or play on it, as we approach a full moon with record rainfall already this spring.
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Today a look at our Rose Festival Fleet of ships traveling from Astoria to Portland for the annual Rose Festival. Ships dock on the Willamette River waterfront in Portland and will be open for tours on the weekend. Photo: The USCGC Elm, Astoria’s resident buoy tender, is among the US military ships headed upriver today […]
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Today ships begin heading upriver to Portland – they’re called the Rose Festival Fleet. We’ll talk about who you might see today. And a look at a news story about a man who thought he could float across the Columbia on a raft: so some practical advice for people who aren’t familiar with big, powerful […]
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Each year, the Rose Festival Fleet of visiting military vessels arrives in the river just in time for the Portland Rose Festival. Today we talk about who will be here in the river this year and when they’ll arrive over the next few days. It’s an interesting mix of active duty US Navy ships, Canadian […]
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A look at an amazing and mostly unseen ship whose role is absolutely vital to safe passage on the Columbia River and surrounding waterways. The Coast Guard Buoy Tender Elm, homeported in Astoria.
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Today a bit about advances in the development of fully automated ships, that would ultimately operate with no people on board. And a small rant from me about the need for real live humans.
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Wind energy projects are being proposed for the West Coast thanks to evolcing technology that allows floating turbines. We’ll talk about why that matters here in the PNW. Image: floating wind tubine assembly in Norway, courtesy Wikipedia.
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Today, in a follow up I mentioned on yesterday’s show, we’ll talk about the origins of something called Priscilla Pearls, unique artificial pearls manufactured for a time in the early 20th century in Martha’s Vineyard. A story from the days when herring were abundant there. Image: TheAnnAnn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Today we take a break from the troubles of the world, and hear from a pair of maritime musicians who hail from Martha’s Vineyard in New England. Meet Molly Conole and Mark Alan Lovewell; they’ve just released a new CD called “Home with Molly and Mark.” It’s got some maritime gems on it. We’ll hear […]
The post A little maritime music: The Herring Song appeared first on The Ship Report.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and as I often do this time of year, I’ve put on my safety hat. Just a few tips you can put in your pocket, to help you stay safe and happy in your maritime adventures in the Pacific Ocean and on the Mighty Columbia.
The post Water safety – just in time for Memorial Day appeared first on The Ship Report.
A few months back I told you about this amazing gal, Lisa Blair, who set sail in her 50 foot sloop alone to sail around Antarctica and set a new world record for that passage. Well, she’s back and she did it. All she wanted was a shower and she’s off to new adventures. Photo […]
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A look at some local history and a little reflection on what it must have been like being an ocean explorer outside looking in – at the mouth of the infamous Columbia River – when there were no dams to tame the rivers flow, no navigational buoys to guide you in, and no GPS. Photo […]
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Today a look at a new generation of cargo ships that look like the bulk carriers we see now, with an added twist: rotating columns and wing-like structures on deck that catch the wind and act like sails, even though they don’t look like anything we’re used to.
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A new/old upstart method of shipping coffee is catching hearts, minds and mugs in Europe and Canada (so far): Coffee shipped by sailing vessel, with close to zero carbon footprint.
The post How you can enjoy a (pricey) cup of coffee courtesy of a sailing ship appeared first on The Ship Report.
In a great step forward for workplace satisfaction at sea, new international rules will mandate personal internet access for mariners on board ship. This step is vital to make the seaboard life more appealing to mariners, many of whom are leaving the industry after being stuck aboard ship for months longer than they agreed to […]
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Today, the story of a cargo ship anchored off Longview here on the Columbia, where some of the crew members had been working on board for more than a year, way beyond the maximum length of work they agreed to under their contracts. The US Coast Guard helped them get home, but they had to […]
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Today we’ll talk about plans for a “green” shipping corridor between Puget Sound ports, British Columbia and Alaska, to reduce pollution from the many cruise ships that ply those waters.
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Today we honor the first female head of the USCG, and also take a look at a really long word for fear of Friday the 13th, and how you can learn to never be afraid of this infamous day ever again.
The post A look at women in the USCG, and how to never be afraid of Friday the 13th again appeared first on The Ship Report.
A close look at the day’s ship traffic – a tale of potash, wheat and soda ash. Also containerships hired by big companies to haul just their cargo, bypassing the regular global supply chain.
The post Who’s on the river today? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The miraculous rescue of a captain who fell overboard off his ship in the Java Sea. He had some great luck on his side: warm waters, observant fishermen, and a piece of wood that he happened to find that helped him stay afloat.
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Late last week a sailboat came ashore in bad weather on the beach at Fort Stevens in Clatsop County and was a total loss. The boat’s master, fortunately, was rescued by the Coast Guard. We’ll talk today about the dangerous waters boaters face, in this region we call home. Image courtesy of USCG Station Cape […]
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Today a bit about another unseen part of the maritime industry – the shipyard where vessels go for maintenance and repairs. We have an amazing one here on the Columbia River, in Portland.
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Today a look at Astoria’s blue water cruise ships (the ocean-going ones). We’ll look at why they come to Astoria and when they arrive – it’s an unusual story.
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What happens when a major crime is committed on board a cargo ship? We’ll talk about the differences between law enforcement on land and sea.
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An indepth look at today’s ship schedule, which includes RO-ROs, containerships and general cargo ships, including one that can carry all three types of cargo!
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Today’s show is about ship paint colors – a smattering of interesting info I have picked up over the years about why vessels, even fishing boats, are painted the colors we see them sporting on the river and ocean. We’ll even hear from an old Fisher Poet favorite – talking about his favorite color for […]
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Today we’ll talk about the most recent Seafarers Happiness Index report for the first quarter of the year. Things aren’t looking good – the index has dropped to an 8-year low – partly because of remaining pandemic woes. The war in Ukraine is another big issue – affecting many people because so many sailors are […]
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Some cruise ship COVID news involving a ship that was just in Astoria on Monday: this ship and others are being monitored by the CDC for relatively high COVID case counts during the past month. It’s part of a trend as case rates on cruises reflect the rise in COVID in the general population, fueled by variant strains of the virus.
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Another cliff rescue of folks stranded on rocks above the ocean on the Oregon coast. A reminder that the beach is a unique environment with unusual dangers and lots of constant change.
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A few closing thoughts as the Ever Forward moves on to her next port after being aground for a month in Chesapeake Bay – how did the ship escape damage in the mud, and what if ships could talk? A humorous look at a disaster averted.
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Today we’ll talk about a new ship that is offering people the opportunity to buy cabins (like condos) on board, and live there year round, while the ship travels the world.
The post What if every day was like a cruise vacation? appeared first on The Ship Report.
The White House on Thursday banned Russian affiliated ships from US Ports, joining Canada and European nations, regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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A proposal to refine and ship renewable diesel out of Port Westward in Clatskanie is being met with opposition from local farmers, who say the proposed rail line that accompanies the project could put their food crops at risk.
The post Proposed renewable diesel refinery project causes concern in Clatskanie appeared first on The Ship Report.
A story about a missing ship crewmember, who may have gone overboard in the river, highlights the risks of swimming in a river like the Columbia, with its powerful and dangerous currents.
The post Going overboard in the river can be very dangerous appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we’ll talk about the achievements of an intrepid young Oregon woman who has become one of only 15 women to become a USCG surfman. Surfmen are those skiilled folks on board the motor lifeboats that go out regularly on our local waters saving lives, often under challenging conditions.
Photo Credit: USCG DVIDS archives: The instructors, crew and students of the National Motor Lifeboat School, Ilwaco, Wash., practice at the entrance of the Columbia River Bar on Feb. 08, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Thielen.
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After a month of intense salvage work in Chesapeake Bay, on Sunday crews were able to pull the aground containership Ever Forward off the mud and back into the ship channel. She’d been stuck there since March 13, when she missed a turn in the channel and plowed into 20 feet of mud.
The post The Ever Forward is free appeared first on The Ship Report.
We take a look at dry bulk carriers, cruise ships, ATBs, and a smattering of other vessels.
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It’s a question being raised in maritime news reports regarding the grounding of the Ever Forward in Chesapeake Bay, and last year the Ever Given in the Suez Canal – two mega containerships.
As ships get bigger, companies achieve greater economies of scale, but much larger ships pose particular challenges. We’ll take a look.
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This weekend, while media eyes were on the still-stuck containership Ever Forward in Chesapeake Bay, another potential disaster was unfolding on the West Coast, as a containership lost power and started drifting toward the beach. Lots of expertise involved, and it all ended well. The kind of good news you hardly hear about.
The post Disaster averted – the best news that hardly anyone knew appeared first on The Ship Report.
Efforts are underway to help Ukrainian seafarers and their families, and sailors on cargo ships trapped in Ukrainina waters because of the war. Some ships have been attacked by Russian forces.
The post Aid for Ukrainian seafarers and their families, and other stranded sailors appeared first on The Ship Report.
A hopeful story today about how cruise ships are being temporarily repurposed to house Ukrainian refugees fleeing war with Russia.
The post Cruise ships will house Ukrainian refugees in Italy and the Netherlands appeared first on The Ship Report.
The Ever Forward remains aground in Chesapeake Bay. She missed a turn in the channel and plowed into 20 feet of mud on March 13. So far all the kings horses and men (and tugboats) have not been able to budge her. We’ll take a look at what’s next for this very stuck ship.
Image courtesy USCG DVIDS.
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Another indepth look at who’s on the river today.
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An update on what to expect as problems continue with the global supply chain, made worse now by the war in Ukraine and COVID shutdowns in China.
The post What’s next in the global supply chain? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Spring has sprung a bit on the lower Columbia, and as people are out and about more, it’s a good time to talk about ships at anchor, and how they tell us what the tide is doing.
The post A fun look at ships and the tide appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at cargo ships unable to leave Ukrainian waters because of the war. Some ships are running out of food for their crews.
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Today is the one-year anniversary of the grounding of the mega containership Ever Given in the Suez Canal. Now, one year later,, one of her sister ships is aground off Baltimore. We’ll talk about these big vessels.
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A look at who’s coming and going on the river today, with a deeper dive into cargoes.
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The story of the very public grounding of another mega containership last week in Chesapeake Bay on the East Coast. This one, unlike the similarly-named Ever Given, which ran aground about a year ago in the Suez Canal, this ship is solidly aground along her entire keel. It will take some doing to get her free.
The post The Ever Forward is not going anywhere appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we look at the important role Ukrainian officers and sailors play in world trade and shipping, and a look back at an unforgettable trip I took on a cargo ship, where my gracious host was the ship’s Ukrainian captain, who treated me as an honored guest.
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Today we’ll talk about a harrowing story of a sinking ship, and the risks mariners take every time they go to sea.
The post The risks sailors take appeared first on The Ship Report.
We see a lot of ships here with countries like Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands painted on their sterns. What does that mean? Today we’ll talk about flags of convenience, and why the concept of a home port for cargo ships may be outdated in this modern age.
The post Flags of convenience, and what they mean about where a ship is from appeared first on The Ship Report.
Disturbing news from the Arctic – as scientists discover recently formed giant sinkholes in the ocean floor, which they believe have been caused by the melting of undersea permafrost.
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We talk a lot about marine pilots on the Ship Report. Alongside those accomplished professionals works a cadre of skilled support professionals – from boat operators to deckhands to helicopter pilots and winch operators, to dispatchers and office staff. These folks together make this amazing matitime work possible on the river every day.
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A look at another facet of the fine art of shiphandling: most of our ships here on the Columbia enter the river light and leave loaded.
That means they have to negotiate low tide somewhere along their journey to the sea, when they have less water under their keels than when they arrived. Pilots do a lot of careful planning to insure that ships are safe at all points along that outbound trip.
The post More on shiphandling: outbound ships and low tide appeared first on The Ship Report.
A look at the problematic lithium ion battery, which seems to be the culprit in an increasing number of fires on board car carriers.
Note: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Sincerity Ace, sister ship to the Felicity Ace, which sank in the north Atlantic this month after a fire on board that experts believe was likely caused by lithium ion batteries.
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A detailed look at ships on the Columbia today, who’s going where, what’s on board and more.
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Today a look at the complicated art of ship handling and piloting on the river, in light of yesterday’s big containership on the Columbia River.
Photo: Pilot boat Connor Foss with rainbow.
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Today we take another look at the Navios Unite, that humongous containership that made her way to Portland up the Columbia yesterday. She was the biggest containership ever to call on the Columbia. We’ll take a look at what the limiting and helpful factors are that determine whether a ship can fit on the Columbia.
Photo Credit: Photo by Astoria photographer Scott Saulsbury. This image really shows the immensity of the ship compared to Astoria’s waterfront.
The post How did that big ship fit in the Columbia River? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Today we take a break from sad world shipping news and take a look at spring. And exactly when it begins… a look at meterological and astronomical seasons, which don’t happen at the same time.
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Signaling their support for Ukraine, the three top container shipping lines have stopped sending ships to Russian ports fter Russia began attacking that country.
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An indepth look at today’s ship schedule.
The post Who’s on the river today? appeared first on The Ship Report.
Part Two today concludes our a two-part Ship Report about the Coquille Tribe’s efforts in southern Oregon to help the state of Oregon restore Chinook Salmon to the Coquille River. The tribe would like to do more, but they’d like to co-manage the river with the state on an official basis, and enter into an agreement as one sovereign government to another.
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In Part 1 of a two-part Ship Report, today we talk about the emerging partnership between the Coquille Tribe and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help preserve Chinook salmon in the Coquille River in southern Oregon. Salmon numbers have reached critical lows and the tribe has the resources to help the state.
Photo credit: Riccardo Rossi, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The post Part 1: How the Coquille Tribe and ODFW are working together to save salmon appeared first on The Ship Report.
A mega containership, the Mumbai Maersk, is aground off the coast of Germany. She’s about the same size as the Ever Given, which ran aground in the Suez Canal last year.
The ship is close to a popular tourist island destination. The accident brings into focus the difficulties of operating such large vessels.
Photo Credit: Alf van Beem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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The latest wrinkle in companies trying to make sure their inventory arrives on time: A US furniture company Loctek, is having a container ship built by a Chinese ship builder, to haul their products. The ship, which will be owned by Loctek will be ready in 2023. The move come as companies get more desperate to move cargo in the continuing global slowdown.
The post A US furniture company is having a ship built to carry its cargo appeared first on The Ship Report.
A followup on yesterday’s story about a dangerous salvage operation to save an adrift bulk carrier off the Dutch coast. Thanks to some amazing work by Smit salvage crews, the ship is now safely in port. It took two massive ocean going tugs to get her there.
The post Adrift ship safely towed to Dutch port appeared first on The Ship Report.
A ship adrift in a storm off the coast of the Netherlands set in motion a dangerous marine salvage operation to save the ship from running aground.
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A huge antarctic iceberg that broke free in 2017 has now floated north and completely melted near South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic. Scientists are studying how the giant influx of fresh water in a salt water environment is affecting local marine ecosystems there.
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A listener wrote in to ask about who’s on board the ships we see in the Astoria Anchorage in the river, and whether they can come ashore while they’re here in the U.S.
The post Answers to listener questions about who’s on board appeared first on The Ship Report.
Some followup on yesterday’s report where we discussed the Tonga volcanic eruption, and how in addition to creating tsunami waves in the water, created corresponding waves in the air.
Photo credit: Nick-D, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Another look at Tonga’s volcanic eruption, which not only caused tsunamis across the Pacific, but also sent huge airborne shockwaves through the atmosphere, traveling at about the same speed.
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It’s an annual event that the shipping industry prepares for: The cessation of activity in Chinese ports for about a month during the celebration of Chinese or Lunar New Year. This year with the pandemic still wreaking havoc on global markets, it could hardly come at a worse time.
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On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with the Coast Guard about their efforts to find a persistent hoax caller.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a Chinese tourist attraction that will feature a life size replica of the Titanic.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the rescue of a solo racing sailor off his sinking boat in turbulent ocean waters off South Africa.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a harrowing sea story unfolding in the Southern Sea off Africa: a solo sailor on a disabled, sinking sailboat. Also, the Ship Report remembers Pearl Harbor Day.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about snow and ice at sea, and how it can affect boats and ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why it can be dangerous for ships to cross the Columbia River Bar in bad weather.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about high and low tides - high and low compared to what?
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about yesterday's earthquake off the coast of Japan, which caused a tsunami there.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Obama administration's plans to block oil and gas drilling in the Arctic.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Obama administration's plans to block oil and gas drilling in the Arctic.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how the Trump administration could affect revenue and trade in the maritime industry.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Canadian government's decision to ban oil tankers from northern B.C waters, a move that will thwart a planned oil pipeline project there.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the effect Trump's presidential win is having on shipping company stocks.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout remembers the wreck of the ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald, which happened 41 years ago today on Lake Superior.
On today's Ship Report, in honor of Election Day, Joanne Rideout talks about voting at sea.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about common cargoes on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about marine pilots and ships.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about why people should never get too close to ships traveling on the water.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how difficult the marine weather can be just a few miles offshore, when it's not so bad on land.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the unseen phenomenon of marine pilots on the river, and about a TV show you can watch tonight that's all about them.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares news about fossil fuel projects on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about weather forecasting on the coast, in light of this past weekend's storms.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at the weather, and the plight of ships at sea during this week's storms.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Monday's shark attack in the ocean off Ecola State Park.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about how ships are anchored off Astoria.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about powerful Hurricane Matthew, slated to make landfall on the US East Coast today.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an Army Corps of Engineers review of the Millennium Coal project proposed for Longview, Wash., on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a proposed methanol plant at the Port of Kalama that would mean building a new natural gas pipeline across Washington State.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent Oregon State University study about how a major tsunami event would affect the lower Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why there is a temporary new pilot boat on the waterfront helping pilots get to and from ships passing by.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the cautionary tale of a rescue at sea, of a man who floated for a week in a rubber raft before being spotted by a passing cargo ship.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about an unusual vessel passing by Astoria today - an Alaska ferry bound for Portland.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the hidden and important work we take for granted that happens on the ships passing by on the waterfront.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about an opportunity coming up later this month to see and board the historic Astoria Ferry Tourist No. 2.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about why it feels like fall but it's still summer.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why there will be a cruise ship on the river today with no passengers on board.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with commercial fisherman John Corbin about how commercial fisherman go about recovering lost gear.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with commercial fisherman John Corbin about lost fishing gear.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the return of cruise ships to Astoria for the fall season.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the expanded Astoria Anchorage, where more ships can now anchor until they can head upriver or out to sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with commercial fishermen John Corbin and Scott McMullen about an uncomfortable occupational hazard for mariners - seasickness.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with John Corbin about what happens to Dungeness crab once they are on the crab boat.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with crabber John Corbin about the demanding process of setting and retrieving crab pots.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with commercial fisherman John Corbin, about Dungeness crabbing in the Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with commercial fisherman John Corbin, about the Dungeness crab fishery. Today's question: what's a crab pot and how do they work?
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with veteran commercial fisherman John Corbin about the Dungeness crab fishery in the Pacific Northwest - who's out there on those boats?
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes us aboard the historic Astoria ferry Tourist No. 2 to hear the sounds of a day on the water.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the arrival of the Astoria Ferry Tourist No. 2 in Astoria after a long and challenging trip at sea.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout gives an update on the progress of the historic Astoria Ferry, which is traveling from Puget Sound to Astoria in the ocean, enduring rough weather and delays along the way.
On Friday's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout continues to follow the progress of the Astoria Ferry on its way from Puget Sound to Astoria.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the journey of the Tourist No. 2 historic wooden ferryboat, traveling down a challenging coastline to Astoria this week from Puget Sound.
Astoria's historic ferry Tourist No. 2 is on her way down from Puget Sound. Weather has delayed her arrival, We'll take a look at the scrappy weather offshore.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about controversy and problems with the new, wider Panama Canal.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the extreme danger at sea when there's a fire on board.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how it feels to be aboard a ship at sea.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about tsunami waves and how they differ from the usual waves we see on the beach.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about currents: what they are and how they affect conditions on the river and at sea.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about waves: where they come from and what causes them.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a dramatic rescue at sea that resulted in an international award for a female ship captain from India, the first such award ever given to a woman.
On the Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unusual ship heading downriver today: the missile defense ship Pacific Collector, one of two such vessels we often see on the river.
On the Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about an odd-looking design feature on ships that's quite useful - the bulbous bow.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new project based in the Netherlands that aims to clean up ocean trash.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the tragic story of a blue whale caught in discarded fishing gear off the coast of California, and the awful phenomenon called ghost fishing.
On today's Ship Rpeort Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how rain affects radar, and makes it harder to see other vessels in the rain.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the ship that got tangled up with a buoy in the Astoria Anchorage yesterday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about commonly heard sound signals between ships and boats on the river.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about nighttime navigational lights on ships and boats.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the evolving use of drones on ships, and the different laws various countries, including the US, have about them.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the newly completed Panama Canal Expansion Project, which opens this month and will double the canal's ship capacity.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Rose Festival Fleet of military ships traveling on the river this week to Portland.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the USCG icebreakers Polar Star and Polar Sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how ships that run aground get free again, when they are stuck on the bottom and can't move.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Washington Department of Ecology EIS for the Longview coal export project, and how you can comment.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the cautionary tale of a man who went overboard off his boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the bulk carrier Sparna that hit a boulder in the river on March 21 and needed repairs. She's been fixed, sort of, and is on her way to Japan.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the final voyage of the USCG icebreaker Polar Star, which passed by Astoria this weekend on her way to Seattle.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the eerie story of an abandoned ship that washed ashore with no one on board.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about recent events that have put cruise ship safety in the news.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why the Columbia River has very few container ships these days and likely won't see more any time soon.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new TV show about tuna fishermen, and why the History Channel will be in Astoria next week looking for local fishermen to star in the show.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about cruise ships, and some of the special technology they have on board to make traveling easier.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about anchor buoys and how they are used to moor ships upriver.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about new Washington Department of Ecology requirements that could significantly affect plans to ship coal on the Columbia out of Longview.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the new, bigger Panama Canal locks that are set to open in June.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the short and silly voyage of a man in a plastic bubble at sea.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about recent fake distress calls to the Coast Guard in our local area.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about marine pilots and what it takes to become one.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the potential for unmanned cargo ships in the future.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about local maritime conditions around the region.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about mega ships: a new class of container ships that are the biggest in the world. Turns out they might just be too darn big.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about new federal regulations on Gulf of Mexico oil rigs that are meant to reduce blowouts like the Deep Water Horizon disaster in 2010.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the first US crude oil export in 40 years, since Congress lifted the ban in December.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the upcoming commissioning of a new Navy ship in Portland, after the city's mayor made a bold decision of conscience.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the rescue of three men who were shipwrecked on a deserted Pacific island.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a new, unmanned robotic U.S Navy ship christened in Portland last week.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the cold, dangerous water that is still there despite today's hot weather.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about new systems for docking ships that used giant suction pads instead of dock lines.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what is happening on the river off the downtown waterfront in Astoria when the tide is falling in a strong, dangerous ebb.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what it's like to be sick on board ship, with an illness you would normally see a doctor for on land.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares some unusual facts about ships upriver from Astoria.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how vessels handle bad weather in the open ocean following a practice called "heaving to."
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about today's worsening weather and what's happening offshore in the ocean.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the physics of ships heading downriver, and why the decision to leave port and head to the ocean is executed very carefully.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the physics and math of anchoring ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the future of coal export projects on the Columbia River this year.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why being near the water makes us feel better.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this weekend's annual Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new research report that says Columbia River coal shipments are no longer economically viable in the current world market.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about ships in the anchorage.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a cruise ship that made the news after it went through a severe storm and was damaged. We'll compare that experience with going through a storm on a cargo ship.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about what happens on board cargo ships in the anchorage when inspectors arrive.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a 102 year old shipwreck off Rockaway Beach, and what it tells us about our challenging coastal environment.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new, more versatile type of icebreaker that can break through heavy pack ice forwards, backwards and sideways.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout answers a question about a meteorological term found in weather forecasts. It's called "wind run."
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a question about a cruise ship she saw on the river this week. Cruising in winter in the PNW?
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a rescue in Longview after a mariner fell off a a ship into the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a disabled car carrier that's been floating around in the waters off the coast of France.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new film that just opened this weekend, about the most daring Coast Guard small boat rescue in history. It's called the Finest Hours.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the deadly "Blob" of warm water in the north Pacific that is now dissipating, a shift which should allow the ocean ecosystem to rebound.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about this weekend's 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Alaska.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the deployment this week of the US Navy's Great Green Fleet - warships that run on biodiesel.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an earthquake article making the rounds on Facebook and Twitter that says the Big One is about to happen. Scientists say the story is false, but the risk is real.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about common cargoes on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about changes in the energy industry that will affect projects aiming to export coal and crude oil on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the restoration of the famed research vessel Calypso, which sailed the seas with French explorer Jacques Cousteau.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a common listener question about Coast Guard activity on the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the shipping industry, to place tsunami sensors on cargo ships traveling the world's oceans.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how ships travel safely at night on the river, when one of their most important senses - sight - is severely hampered by darkness.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout resumes her discussion with coordinator Chrissy Smith about the newly created Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, which went into effect last Friday on Jan. 1.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a weather phenomenon that's common during coastal winters in the Pacific Northwest: black ice, which can form when temperatures hover around freezing.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with coordinator Chrissy Smith about Oregon's newest marine reserve, located off Cape Falcon, and why it was created there.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Chrissy Smith, coordinator of the Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, about Oregon's newest reserve, set to go into effect Jan. 1 in ocean waters off Oswald West State Park, south of Arch Cape.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with diving historian Sidney Macken about commercial diving now on the Columbia.
The Ship Report is off tomorrow for Christmas. Happy Holidays to all!
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with diver and historian Sidney Macken, about historic diving equipment used on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with diver and historian Ed Macken, about the history of commercial diving on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about wind and what causes it, since we'll be seeing lots of wind today on the coast.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with Sid Macken, president of the Oregon-based Historical Diving Society, about the history of diving on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout interviews Sid Macken, president of the Oregon-based Historical Diving Society, about diving on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what it means when a river crests, as many of our rivers have done lately after heavy rain.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the ocean phenomenon of storm surge, and why it matters to people on land.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks how likely it is that we'll see any ship traffic this weekend on the river, given the difficult sea conditions offshore.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a common and important cargo on the river: soda ash.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a bit more about the fascinating world of anchors and how they work.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Japan's decision to resume whaling, as of Dec. 1, a move that is drawing ire and legal action from other nations.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about anchoring, a hardly noticed but important process that happens all the time off the Astoria waterfront, and at anchorages around the world.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the limiting factors that restrict ships from traveling on rivers: like bridges and channel depth. These factors determine what types of ships we see on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the fact that many mariners will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why supposedly "biodegradable" plastic doesn't degrade in the ocean.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the decision to delay the opening of commercial Dungeness crab fishing past Dec. 1 because of domoic acid contamination.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent ship grounding on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a U.S. Navy hospital ship that passed by on the Columbia yesterday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how wind and weather affect the transit of ship traffic in and out of the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unusual bottleneck at the Panama Canal that's affecting world shipping.
Note, for Ship Report Minutes for Friday and Monday, please check the website in the right hand column of the home page. Thanks!
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the famous Beaufort Wind Scale, and how you can use it during stormy weather to estimate how hard the wind is blowing.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout commemorates the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes ore ship that sank in a terrible storm on Lake Superior in 1975.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout reminds us to be mindful of the ever changing tide when we go to the beach. Tides can trap and drown people if they aren't thinking ahead.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the closure of the California Dungeness crab fishery. The fishery is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest and fishermen here want to make sure you know that it's safe to buy crab from Washington waters.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more from her interview with sailor Tracy Hollister, who sailed into Astoria last month after almost two months at sea, sailing alone across the Pacific.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks more with blue water sailor Tracy Hollister, who sailed into Astoria in October after journeying alone from Japan through stormy seas.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an excerpt from her interview with blue water sailor Tracy Hollister, who sailed into Astoria in October after journeying alone from Japan through stormy seas.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the temporary grounding of the tall ship Lady Washington last month, and why ships require official inspections after groundings, when recreational boats do not.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the atmospheric river of heavy rain headed our way this weekend, starting today.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the definition of a common nautical term - the head. Many boats have 'em, and they're greatly appreciated by those on board.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Canadian whale watching boat that sank off Vancouver Island this weekend. The boat had enough PFD's for everyone aboard, but people weren't wearing them.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the U.S. Navy decision to bring celestial navigation back into the academy curriculum, to protect ships from GPS failure.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about buoys and current off the Astoria waterfront.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Obama administration decision to ban oil drilling in Arctic waters.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the mindboggling weather conditions people in the Philippines endured this weekend, with rain measured in feet, not inches.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the government decision to end the battle over damages caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. We'll also take a look at other disastrous spills that have happened since.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about Alaska's massive earthquake in 1964, and how it affected a ship anchored in the port of Valdez.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about why we often see ships anchored off the downtown waterfront in Astoria.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a philanthropic organization called the Seamen's Church Institute, which aids mariners and their families worldwide.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon, in honor of this weekend's stormy visitor, Hurricane Oho.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how the huge BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement for gross negligence will turn out to be tax deductible for the company.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how Hurricane Oho, 400 miles off the Pacific Northwest Coast, will affect our weather this weekend.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the ongoing search for survivors of the sunken cargo ship El Faro.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent move by the government of Chile to create the largest marine reserve in the Americas off the Chilean coast.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the extensive Coast Guard search underway for the missing cargo ship El Faro, which was caught in Hurricane Joaquin last week as it traveled between Florida and Puerto Rico.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the end of this year's cruise ship season in Astoria, and takes a peek at what's in store next year.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about megaships, bigger than ever before, that are plying the world's waters.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about recent sightings of humpback whales in the Columbia River off Astoria. It's fun to see them, but their presence here means not all is well in their watery world.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about Shell Oil's decision to abandon Arctic drilling. It's a big sea change for the corporation, but we haven't seen the last of them yet.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the US Army Corps of Engineers dredge Essayons, which is currently working in the Columbia River off Astoria and Warrenton doing maintenance dredging.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the future of Arctic oil drilling, as companies worldwide watch Shell Oil's progress - to see if such projects are economically feasible in what is still a very harsh environment.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about another weird cargo effect that happens with some mineral cargoes: liquefaction - when a dry cargo suddenly becomes liquid.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a weird effect that happens with some ship cargoes, such as wheat, where they have a tendency toward spontaneous combustion - bursting into flames for no apparent reason - and how shippers cope with it.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the annual wooden boat festival happening this weekend in Cathlamet, Washington. It's a chance to see wonderful boats, beautiful woodwork and glowing varnish.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new study about ocean birds and plastic.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about ships called dredges and how important they are to keeping the river open to commerce.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about what's happening offshore now that rain has arrived on the coast.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about wheat. It's the Columbia River's biggest export this time of year. We'll talk about where it comes from, and where it's going when it leaves the river on ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an international arbitration decision in the Netherlands, regarding 30 Greenpeace activists who were arrested during a protest at an oil rig in the Arctic Ocean in 2013.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about plans to clean up the Pacific Garbage Patch, slated to get underway in 2016.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the origin of the nautical term "head," which refers to the bathroom on a boat or ship.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how falling crude oil prices will affect ship traffic.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how drought conditions around the world are affecting ship traffic, even here on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what you need to be prepared to do if you have to call the Coast Guard, so they can successfully help you as quickly as possible.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the birthday this past weekend of the Panama Canal, which opened 101 years ago.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the latest news about Shell Oil's drilling project in the Arctic. Coast Guard resources are being diverted there at the expense of national security priorities.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the science behind why warm water is harmful for salmon and other aquatic creatures in the Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Mariners Memorial held on the waterfront last week to honor those lost at sea.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a big factor in accidents at sea: mariner fatigue.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the catastrophic effects warm water is having on salmon populations this year on the Columbia and elsewhere on the West Coast.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the 225th birthday this week of the US Coast Guard. This highly trained group of men and women save lives daily around the nation.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the arrival Wednesday in Astoria of the racing yacht America. She's traveling up the West Coast on the America's Cup Tour, and you'll be able to see her at the 17th Street dock by the maritime museum.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the first offshore wind farm in North America, under construction off Rhode Island.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the latest chapter in an ongoing NY Times investigative reporting series called The Outlaw Ocean. This latest story describes the lives of sea slaves on vessels off Thailand who catch fish that go into U.S. pet food and animal feed. Some spend years captive on vessels under horrible conditions.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout tracks the itinerary of the damaged Shell Oil icebrearker Fennica on her way to Portland for repairs. Columbia River shipwatchers can see her pass by this weekend.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares tips for surviving if you're lost at sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new maritime investigative reporting series in the NY Times. Reporter Ian Urbina reveals the sinister underbelly of life at sea in much of the world.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about getting from one place to another on the water. It. doesn't involve going in a straight line, because of wind, wave and current.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about more legal trouble for Shell Oil in the Arctic, where opponents have discovered a legal snag in the company's plans to drill for oil this summer.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a feel-good story about the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Portland and the good deed they did for the Sea Scouts program there.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a milestone for women in the maritime industry: the first female U.S. cruise ship captain.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about language barriers between officers and pilots on ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers listener questions about ships we see in the anchorages along the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout revisits the idea of ships getting bigger, with a story about the world's first widened containership. It can now carry more cargo and uses less fuel than it did before.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about damage to a Shell Oil icebreaker in the Arctic, and concerns it raises about handling accidents in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how this summer's drought is affecting rivers in the western U.S. and killing fish.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the trend in the maritime industry to make ships bigger. Is there a point when bigger is too big?
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a little known problem that is more widespread than most people realize - when ship owners abandon crewmembers in a foreign port when the ship gets into legal trouble.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about colors of paint on ships, and why certain colors are exceptionally popular on cargo vessels.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the disturbing connection between sunny weather and shipping. Drought can mean low water on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report Joanne Rideout celebrates the International Day of the Seafarer by talking about the role seafarers play in our daily lives.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Central America's ship canal projects: the expanded Panama Canal, and the proposed Nicaragua Canal, which would be even larger than Panama's.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ship pollution and its effects on people's health.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout reminds listeners to take a look at the river when it's windy, and see an interesting phenomenon at work.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout gives us the inside scoop about a research vessel called the GEO Explorer that was in Astoria last week.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explores more about the Crewtoo Seafarers Happiness Index, which surveyed working mariners about various aspects of job satisfaction.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the results of a study about happiness at sea called the Seafarers Happiness Index.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the final segment of her interview with Capt. Grant Thomas of the cable ship Global Sentinel, about the vital role these specialized ships play in the everyday lives of people on land.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout offers a quick guide to telling what type of sailboat you're looking at.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks more with Global Sentinel Capt. Grant Thomas about the unusual alliance his ship, and other ocean businesses, have with commercial fishermen.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks more with Capt. Grant Thomas of the cable ship Global Sentinel about the ship's work at sea installing and repairing telecommunications cable on the ocean floor.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Grant Thomas of the cable ship Global Sentinel about his work installing and repairing telecommunications cable on the ocean floor.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the departing Rose Festival Fleet leaving Portland today.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the short but memorable career of Fake Willy in Astoria, the parade float turned floating sea lion frightener, who made his debut last night at the city's East Mooring Basin.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the remaining Rose Festival Fleet ships heading to Portland today on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the rest of the Portland Rose Festival Fleet arriving on the river today. Ships from the US and Canadian military will be traveling on the river this week.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ships from the Portland Rose Festival Fleet that will be on the river today and some in Astoria.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about drug smuggling aboard cruise ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a New Zealand ferry boat that runs on an unlikely fuel - a mixture of diesel and water.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the impact one grounded ship can have on world trade.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how improved technology on board ships has not reduced the rate of accidents and casualties.
On Friday's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the passage of federal legislation to save the Coast Guard rescue helicopter at Newport, Oregon.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a ship in the Astoria Anchorage this week that got in a a world of trouble with the Coast Guard over safety violations.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about fishing statistics that show the Pacific Northwest Dungeness crab fishery is one of the most dangerous in the nation.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a new Coast Guard boating safety app that could save your life.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how you can get involved in Sea Scouts. (Note: today's Sea Scouts content is a repeat of yesterday's podcast, since the Report did not air on Coast Community Radio Thursday due to technical difficulties. Ship Schedule info and marine weather are updated for today.)
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how you can get involved in Sea Scouts.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with skipper Hal Nauman about the Sea Scouts, an Astoria boating program for young people that is part of the Boy Scouts of America.
On today's Ship Report,. Joanne Rideout talks about a local program on the lower Columbia that helps young people learn safe boating. It's called Sea Scouts. We'll hear today from the group's leader about what they do.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race between Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, BC, happening this weekend. Two boats from Astoria are among the entries.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unseen, underwater geologic wonder in our region: the Astoria Canyon.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new hybrid cargo ship design from Norway that uses the ship's hull as a giant sail.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout remembers the captain of a fishing boat lost at sea off the Washington coast this past weekend.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the hospital ship USNS Mercy, which goes around the world on humanitarian missions.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about experiments going on in Puget Sound to see whether kelp can help balance ocean acidification.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the expanded Panama Canal, and shares some interesting facts about the canal, including why it has locks.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about the apparent lack of ship traffic on the Columbia River lately.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about Coast Guard safety inspections of ships entering the river.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares some odd bits of trivia about shipping containers.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a cruise ship caught in 40-foot seas in a storm off Australia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a huge expanse of warm water in the north Pacific that is affecting sea life and weather.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a proposal at the Port of Longview to build an oil refinery there - the first one ever on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a Seattle road construction project with a maritime twist - a lawmaker wants to make a bridge out of old aircraft carriers.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the loss of container shipping lines from the Port of Portland will affect commerce around the region.
On today's Ship Report Minute: Joanne Rideout talks about a boat found off Newport that floated all the way from Japan, likely tsunami debris from 2011.
On today's Ship Report Minute: Joanne Rideout talks about the world's first methanol powered ferry, which took to the seas last month in Germany.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unlikely and successful rescue by Good Samaritans way offshore in the Pacific Ocean.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about tide tables and how to understand the information you find in them.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an update on efforts to ship coal to Asia from the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the race to make ships larger, which is pushing Panama Canal planners to build yet another set of locks to accommodate gargantuan new containerships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a brutal secret about the international fishing industry revealed by an AP investigation - fishing in Thailand where the fishermen are slaves. Worse, U.S. consumers are buying that fish without realizing it.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about more setbacks for coal projects on the Columbia River in Clatskanie, as state funding is denied for a project there.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new wrinkle in plans to export coal to Asia from the Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about ships at anchor and hatch covers.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a collision between two ships in a congested U.S. waterway, and how dependent we are on ships and the people on them.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how Northwest ports are seeking to lure shippers from congested California ports still recovering from the recent container cargo labor dispute.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the scrapping of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in Texas, and how shipbreaking works in the US.
Friday's report is essentially a reprise of Thursday's report, with more detail and an updated ship schedule. Tech difficulties prevented Coast Community Radio from airing the Ship Report Wed. This story supplies additional detail about accidents in general on the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an incident yesterday on the river where a ship ran aground. We'll learn what happened and why.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a lawsuit filed this week against the Port of Seattle to prevent Shell Oil from basing its Arctic drilling operations at the port.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares some perspective on earthquakes, for those of us who live in the seismic Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares a story about a ship with an unusual cargo - live animals - that sank in the Middle East.
On today's Ship Report Minute, in honor of the annual Fisher Poets Gathering, Joanne Rideout shares some interesting and weird facts about fish.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout gives us a taste of this weekend's Fisher Poet's Gathering, happening in Astoria, Oregon, with a piece by Capt Dano Quinn.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about labor relations at the port of Portland in the aftermath of the agreement that got cargo moving again this past weekend at West Coast ports.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a cargo ship that was stuck in Great Lakes ice for a week, and why being icebound is a dangerous place to be.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent federal study that estimates crude oil trains in the U.S. will derail about 10 times a year.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the concept of "Just in Time" inventory, which makes U.S. businesses particularly vulnerable to labor disputes like the ones that have recently closed West Coast ports.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the unseen and powerful influence of current on the river, and how boaters and ship handlers use it to their advantage.
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how an ill-advised sailboat voyage this weekend off the East Coast ended in a dangerous and difficult Coast Guard rescue - in blizzard conditions with 25-foot seas.
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the 15 year anniversary this month of the New Carissa shipwreck at Coos Bay, Oregon.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the departure of Hanjin Shipping from the Port of Portland.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how labor disputes are affecting West Coast ports including the Port of Astoria, where a ship sits at the dock this week waiting to load logs.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a vital but mostly unseen part of a ship's anatomy: its propeller.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the rescue of three mariners from a cargo ship under challenging conditions at sea, off Astoria.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the controversial project to build a ship canal across Nicaragua.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the complex and demanding skill of docking ships. It's a feat that happens every day on the river but the average person seldom sees it.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how the biggest ships in the world are about to get bigger.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout does a quick recap of the types of ships we see on the river. They vary greatly in the types of cargo they carry and how they carry it.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the recent car carrier incident in the UK where a car ship was tilted on its side for a few weeks before being righted and brought back to port. We'll talk about exactly what was on board and what will happen to those cars.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the criminal trial in Italy of the captain of the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new study that reveals growing concern about mariner fatigue on board ships.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about an ancient good luck tradition involving coins and ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a frightening development in human trafficking: Smugglers are intentionally abandoning ships full of refugees and relying on Coast Guard personnel to rescue the people, and save the ship from wrecking.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the miraculous rescue of a cruise ship passenger who fell overboard.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what circumstances on board a ship can cause it to roll over and sink, just like that, in a matter of minutes. We'll talk about buoyancy and center of gravity, and why they have to be in their proper places for things to go well.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the sinking of a ship this month in the waters off Vietnam, as a result of an odd effect called liquefaction, which caused a normally stable dry mineral cargo to start sloshing around like liquid inside the hold.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how much water is in the oceans and waterways of the world.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how conditions in the North Pacific will be influencing our weather here on shore and inland this weekend.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a U.S. Navy project in which chemists are making jet fuel from seawater.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a car carrier whose captain intentionally ran the ship aground. Turns out that quick thinking maneuver saved the day.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about difficult working conditions on merchant ships. For some sailors, being at sea is far from the life of Riley.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a ship's captain who was lost at sea in the waters off Hawaii, and about the sometimes lonely enterprise of being a mariner.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a project to ship crude oil out of the Columbia from the Port of Vancouver.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a little known fact about the Columbia River: where it meets the sea is the foggiest place in the continental U.S.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about mariner fatigue, a significant factor in accidents at sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about tonight's celebration of the New Year with ship horns sounding on the waterfront at midnight in Astoria!
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares information about record cold temps in past years in the Pacific Northwest, and talks a bit about wind chill factor at sea, where the combination of wind and severe cold can be deadly.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the reason for our cold snap this week: locally it's related to high and low pressure systems doing a weather dance.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an Alaska holiday fishing poem patterned after "The Night Before Christmas."
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this week's King Tides, which are among the biggest tidal swings of the year.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the causes of large ocean swells that reach our shores on the Pacific Northwest Coast.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout discusses President Obama's decision to ban oil drilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, indefinitely.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the lifesaving decision by the federal government to keep the USCG rescue helicopter in place at Newport, Ore. It had been scheduled to be eliminated due to budget cuts, but public outcry - and a lawsuit - saved the day.
On Tuesday's Ship Report, we learn about how a US cargo dispute in West Coast ports is hitting Japan hard in an unlikely sector - fast food.
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about another storm headed our way today that follows a typical pattern for coastal low pressure systems.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the huge waves happening offshore today that are making life difficult for mariners in our waters.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about conditions offshore during today's stormy weather.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout explains some of the nitty-gritty science of fog.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the foggiest place in the continental United States. Turns out it's right here in our backyard.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this Saturday's lighting of the fabled world's tallest crabpot Christmas tree in Ilwaco, Washington.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what influences weather in the Pacific Northwest and shares weather wisdom from UW meteorologist Cliff Mass.
On today's Ship Report Minute, we talk about a new international law that will require ships to report their emissions.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about thunderstorms at sea, and the threats ships and boats face if they're struck by lightning.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new report that says coal's appeal worldwide as an energy source is dropping and what that means for the future of coal on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about holidays, mariners, and what to do this Thanksgiving holiday if you feel you're just not up to all the celebration.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the US Coast Guard decision this week to use social media to announce bar closure information for the Pacific Northwest, which includes the Columbia River Bar.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why an insurance company is seeking $5 million from the owner of the doomed tall ship Bounty that sank off the US east coast in Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why Italian officials are suing the company that owned the doomed Costa Concordia cruise ship, which sank off the Tuscany coast in 2012.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about zero emissions vessels and vehicles, and the carbon footprint associated with any conveyance in which we travel.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about what a brewer in the UK is doing to help British seafaring families.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the first all electric passenger ferry in the world, due to start service in Norway in 2015.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about cold weather and snow at sea, and terms the weather service uses at this time of year that you should know.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the relationship between oceans and weather, as we see the temperature falling in the waters around us.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout commemorates the tragic sinking of the beloved Great Lakes ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald, which was lost with all hands in a terrible storm this week in 1975. We'll hear Gordon Lightfoot's iconic song, which is a factual account of what we know about what happened to this doomed vessel.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about what's become of that huge storm that hit Alaska over the weekend. It's transformed and headed for the Midwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the powerful and likely record-breaking storm hitting Alaska today. The Coast Guard has deployed extra resources there and warned vessels to seek shelter and stay in port.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about weather patterns in the Pacific, which influence what weather comes our way. One of them is called the Typhoon Rule.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout revisits the story of the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship, which is now in a shipbreaking facility in Italy being dismantled. Crews made a sad discovery this week when they found what authorities think is the body of a missing crewmember.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares more info about the sinking of the tall ship Bounty, lost at sea in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the discovery of what seems to be a piece of Amelia Earhart's plane on a remote atoll in the South Pacific.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the sad two-year anniversary this week of the sinking of the tall ship Bounty in Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how containerships - the ones that move 90 percent of everything - are getting bigger. How much bigger? Think 4-5 times bigger in cargo capacity than the ships we currently see on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the unveiling of the biggest dry dock in the world in Portland, and about who will be its customers.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares incredible statistics about ship air pollution, and explains the economies of scale involved in shipping goods around the world.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about used shipping containers, which are being re-purposed on land for everything from storage to housing.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a maritime study that suggests increasing ocean wave heights will mean ships will need to be built stronger to withstand the strain.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the US Coast Guard decision to close the Air Station in Newport, Oregon. Residents say the closure will cost lives.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about an emergency off the British Columbia coast this weekend, as a containership lost power and drifted close to land. Thanks to the efforts of the Canadian Coast Guard and a U.S. tug, the ship should now be safely in port.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how scientists plan to use breathalyzer devices to analyze the breath of dolphins in the ocean. The data could help reduce dolphin deaths and allow researchers to learn more about ocean health.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains the odd behavior of a ship off the downtown waterfront in Astoria yesterday. Sitting still, but not anchored - she's a dredge!
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a maritime news story, about a female ship captain who was denied a marine pilot's license in Puget Sound. She sued the Washington State Board of Pilotage for $3.6 million, and won.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this week's shift to rainy weather and what's happening offshore in the Pacific that is shaping our forecast this week.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about heightened security measures in world ports as authorities try to figure out how to contain Ebola.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why one prominent Pacific Northwest meteorologist thinks the region will see more intense rain events like the one predicted for this weekend.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Pinapple Express/Atmospheric River weather event headed our way this weekend in the Pacific Northwest. Might be time to break out the raingear - this could be a big one in terms of rainfall.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout shares the story of two men who were rescued by fishermen off Grays Harbor, Wash., Sunday after their boat capsized in the ocean, and explains why they were two exceptionally lucky guys.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the Canadian discovery this week that the ship found on the Arctic sea floor last month is indeed the ship that Sir John Franklin sailed aboard. Franklin was the famed explorer who died in 1845 trying to find the Northwest Passage.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the story and music of the Fishwives Choir, a UK women's singing group whose members are wives and family of fishermen. The group was formed after founder Jane Dolby's husband was lost at sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Astoria's last cruise ship of the season and what it means economically to have these ships calling on the city.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about two big cruise ships that will call on Astoria today, bringing 5,300 potential visitors to a city with a population of about 10,000.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a U.N. study that says the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica has stopped shrinking.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about how submarines deal with storms at sea, and tsunamis.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about toxic algae blooms happening now in Cullaby Lake and the Willamette River that could sicken humans and kill pets.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the effects of last night's storm on marine conditions around the region.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the change in the weather today and what we can expect in terms of weather patterns now that fall is here.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the autumnal equinox and what it means for us as we head into the fall and winter.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what NOAA tells mariners they should do to be safe from a tsunami if they're on board when the Big One hits.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a bulk carrier whose crew was marooned on board this summer after the ship's owner failed to pay its bills.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent Army Corps of Engineers decision that affects the future of coal on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the doomed Arctic expedition of Sir John Franklin, who died in 1846 while trying to find the fabled Northwest Passage. Scientists last week located the wreck of one of his ships. Joanne also sings a few bars of the Stan Rogers song about this expedition, "Northwest Passage."
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about dredges and the vital role these ships play in keeping the river open to ship traffic.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout remembers Operation Boatlift, when saved the day on the New York City waterfront after the 9/11 terrorist attack.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a close look at the ships we'll see today on the Columbia River and what they're carrying.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks ships and cargo on the Columbia, as fall weather begins.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout has an update on the ongoing Panama Canal Expansion project.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about efforts by coal companies to join forces, to export coal on the Columbia and other West Coast Ports.
Today's Ship Report was in part a repeat of yesterday's with current ship schedule and weather information. Tuesday's podcast did not air on Coast Community Radio in Astoria because of technical difficulties, so we repeated the content Wednesday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains the difference between meteorological and astronomical fall. One of them began yesterday.
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more info about the unique heavy lift ship Blue Marlin, heading downriver and out to sea today on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the nation's largest drydock. which is now being assembled at the Vigor Industrial shipyard at Swan Island.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the journey this weekend of the heavy lift ship the Blue Marlin from the mouth of the river to the shipyard at Swan Island.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about a revolutionary new method of cleaning up oil spills that involves magnets.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout has the details about an unusual sight you might see on the Columbia this weekend: the world's largest heavy-lift ship will travel up river to Portland.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Oregon's decision to say no to a project that would have permitted coal shipments on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the tanker adrift 700 miles off the Oregon coast, and how the Coast Guard and other ships have been helping aid that vessel.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an ambitious project happening in the Arctic - a Canadian company wants to run Internet fiber optic cable across the top of the world to link Europe and Asia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the successful rescue of three people from a sailboat 400 miles off Hawaii in a hurricane. A container ship crew saved the day.
On today's Ship Report Minute Joanne Rideout talks about the plight of a 42 foot sailboat caught in a hurricane off Hawaii. The boat is taking on water in 30 foot seas and 115 mile and hour winds.
On today's Ship Report Minute Joanne Rideout talks about Tropical Storm Iselle's landfall on Hawaii. It's a rare event that could bring a foot of rain to the island state.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about the Ebola virus and how contagious it would really be on board a ship.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about NOAA research that shows ocean acidification will affect Alaska fisheries by making it harder for species like crab to survive.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how scientists recently discovered fossils of six-foot tall penguins in Antarctica.
On today's Ship Report Minute, Joanne Rideout talks about the NS Savannah, the world's first nuclear powered cargo ship.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the scary spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa and its effect on shipping.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about dwindling marine bird species in coastal habitats. Scientists suspect a weakening food web.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about cargo on the river and why some ships appear to leave the Columbia with no cargo on board.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about efforts by scientists to reduce the number of ship collisions with blue whales off the U.S. West Coast.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the final chapter in the tragedy of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, slated to be towed away today from where it wrecked off the coast of Italy more than two years ago.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a question from a listener about Coast Guard activity around a ship in the Astoria anchorage. We'll talk about why a helicopter was taking people off the ship.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a tragic incident on Lake Washington in which a sailboat and a power boat collided, killing a Seattle teacher. We'll talk about rules of the road and common sense on the water.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the first prototype design for an unmanned cargo ship, a vessel that would have no people on board, and would be operated by remote control.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the final voyage of the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia, which was refloated yesterday from the spot where she sank in January 2012 off the coast of Italy. Plans are to tow the ship to Genoa to be scrapped.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about increasing piracy in the Malacca Straits in Southeast Asia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the famous research vessel Atlantis, visiting Astoria this week.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout gives an update on the final phase of the removal of the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship from the waters off Italy. The ship is set to be refloated and towed away next week.
On today's ship report, Joanne Rideout talks about how 19 members of a bulk carrier crew fell ill after their cook served up barracuda for dinner, a beautiful, delicious and quite toxic fish.
On today's ship report, Joanne Rideout talks about boating safety for the Fourth of July weekend, especially around ships, and we'll also take a look at fishing opportunities on the weekend on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the cultural ethic in the maritime industry that encourages mariners to follow their captain's orders even if they are wrong and dangerous.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an editorial by the author of a new book about the tall ship Bounty sinking that talks about why crew members are hesitant to question the captain's judgment.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout revisits the topic of mandatory lifejacket use for recreational boaters. Turns out New York state and parts of Australia already have laws to that effect. And it's saving lives.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how much we rely on ships for all the goods we consume. In some nations, like Great Britain, most of their food comes to them by ship and they could not feed their citizens without the shipping industry.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about yesterday's 8.0 earthquake in the Aleutians.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an effort in Canada to make wearing lifejackets required by law.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a Coast Guard program called Paddle Smart, designed to safeguard the lives of people in kayaks and canoes, and also to prevent Coast Guard searches for people who were never in need of rescue.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about proposed Connect Oregon funding for projects at the Port of St. Helens that would increase coal and oil exports on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why the wrecked cruise ship the Costa Concordia will remain where she is for the time being, on the spot where she sank off the coast of Italy.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about one of Astoria's hometown vessels, the lightship Columbia, which is now an exhibit at the Columbia River Maritime Museum on Astoria's waterfront.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a report released this week by the US Coast Guard on the sinking of the tall ship Bounty off Cap Hatteras in 2012.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how melting Arctic ice and Northern sea routes will allow invasive species to enter Arctic waters in ways not possible before.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a fire on a ship in Texas, which illustrates the extreme danger of fires at sea.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the radio distress call Pan-Pan, and about how to tell when to call the Coast Guard.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the release of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise from Russian custody. The ship was seized last fall during a protest against Arctic oil drilling.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about rip currents - a natural feature of our coastal beach environment that, unfortunately, can kill you if you don't know how to handle it.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Rose Festival Fleet vessels that will be traveling on the river today.v
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this year's Rose Festival Fleet which will be traveling on the river starting today.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the final phase of the salvage effort on the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia, which has been sitting in the waters off Italy for more than two years.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about special visitors to Astoria this weekend: the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain. They'll be at the East Mooring Basin for tours Saturday and Sunday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a special broadcast she'll be part of on KBOO radio tomorrow evening - a maritime themed radio project by a group called the Steam Radio Syndicate - and they'll be broadcasting from a ship on the Columbia River in Portland. KBOO - 90.7 fm in Portland. Streaming KBOO.org
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why boating and alcohol don't mix. Not only are the fines considerable, but drinking is a big factor in boating deaths each year. People fall in, can't swim well because they're drunk, and drown.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Natoinal Safe Boating week and why we need to be especially careful in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why scientists now believe that Greenland's melting ice sheet will cause way more sea level rise than previously thought.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why some scientists think earthquake prediction is possible, especially in the case of subduction zone quakes like we might have here in the Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how salvage divers recently uncovered $84 million in gold on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, in the remains of a wrecked ship.
Note: Beginning, Thurs, May 8, The Ship Report takes a vacation until May 19. For podcasts during that time, see the Ship Report website at www.shipreport.net, for weekday Ship Report Minutes.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a little known hazard to crews aboard vessels that carry grain: toxic chemicals used to fumigate cargoes can pose health risks for sailors.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an update on the Interoceanic Grand Canal, a massive Chinese-backed ship canal being build in Nicaragua that will rival the Panama Canal and compete with US interests in South America.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a news story about a Vietnamese fisherman who was surrounded by dolphins after he fell overboard in the ocean.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the hazards of playing in the surf zone on the Oregon Coast, and shares a news story about a Portland man who died after being swept into the ocean by a wave.
On Today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a massive iceberg, bigger than the Long Beach Peninsula, that has broken free from Antarctica and will soon be floating in the southern Ocean, posing a hazard to ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new prototype water bottle that can filter salt water info fresh water, and why drinking salt water can be a killer.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about last night's earthquake offshore of Vancouver Island , BC.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a story about the recent rescue of a family with small children from their sailboat hundreds of miles off the coast of Mexico.
On today's Ship Report, in honor of Earth Day, Joanne Rideout talks about the precarious health of the oceans, something that is often not visible from land.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about a buoy that marks the entrance to the Columbia River, and explains why such buoys are a good idea, especially here on the Columbia.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the perils of going overboard at sea, after a recent Coast Guard story about a crewmember who fell off a ship 800 miles offshore and was never found.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the anniversary this week of the sinking of the cruise ship Titanic in April 1912.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about alarming jellyfish overpopulation that could indicate serious problems with the marine ecosystem.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about tomorrow's deadline for public comment on the proposed Navy sonar testing program for the waters off the Pacific Northwest, and shares a reply she received from an email to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a ship that simply vanished with no trace, and explains some of the explanations for what might seem an unlikely occurrence, that is actually more common than you might think.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about developing technology that may soon allow scientists to predict earthquakes using satellites in space.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the 8.2 earthquake in Chile yesterday and how it fits into the larger scheme of things on planet Earth in terms of earthquake activity.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the treacherous stretch of ocean south of the equator where the search for the missing Malaysian airliner is happening - it's called the Roaring 40s. There couldn't be a worse place to do an ocean search.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a common maritime sight you can see on the Astoria waterfront everyday, and what's happening there behind the scenes.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more of her interview with Don Floyd about the famous ship the Salvage Chief. Today we'll talk about some of the harrowing working conditions on board during salvage jobs.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Don Floyd from the famous Astoria ship the Salvage Chief, about the vessel's role in the Exxon Valdez cleanup.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how laws relating to oil spills have changed since the Exxon Valdez disaster and why today's environmental community says it's not enough.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout recalls the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, which happened 25 years ago today.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about the Columbia River Pilots: how far upriver do they go? We'll talk about that and more about pilots on the river.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a U.S. Navy plan to use underwater drones to help scientists predict the weather accurately far in advance.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about South Korea-based Hanjin Shipping's decision to continue to offer container service to the Port of Portland. It's a financial relief to those in the maritime industry here.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the new pilot boat, the "Astoria," christened last week by the Columbia River Bar Pilots.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the story of how our navigational buoys came to be the color green in U.S. waters, and shares a listener's personal story about buoys and St. Patrick's Day.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the results of a new study of Pacific Northwest coal trains that indicates such trains do release significant levels of CO2 and coal dust near train tracks.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how rising sea heights could radically change the look of familiar coastlines and landmarks in the coming years.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares in-depth info about ship traffic and marine weather around the region.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout concludes her interview about log exports with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson about the log export trade, and talks about what kinds of trees are shipped overseas from the Pacific Northwest.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson about where all those logs go that we see leaving the river on ships.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson about log exports. What happens when bad weather hits a ship, sending logs overboard? [9:20]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson about log exports. What's the deal with all those logs that go out of the Columbia on ships? [9:20]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the weather, as stormy frontal systems line up to march through our coastal region this week. [9:03]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Fisher Poet Jon Van Amerongen about the craft of songwriting, and we'll hear him play a song he wrote - a cautionary tale about fishing on the Bering Sea. [9:20]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Fisher Poet Jon Van Amerongen about his pivotal role is the beginnings of the Fisher Poets Gathering. [9:20]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what an oil spill on the Mississippi River this weekend shows us about river systems, and how much these ecosystems mean to us a human beings living in river communities. [9:02]
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout gives us the scoop on special events happening at the Fisher Poet's Gathering this weekend in Astoria, Ore. [9:20]
On Wednesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a wind power project approved for the waters off Coos Bay, Ore.
[9:20]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the parade of storms headed our way this week. [9:02]
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board regarding the sinking of the tall ship HMS Bounty during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Mike Tierney about what it's like to board a ship at sea by helicopter. (Recap of yesterday's narrative - tech problems kept the show from airing on Coast Community Radio Monday) [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Mike Tierney about what it's like to board a ship at sea by helicopter. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers listener questions about Astoria's pilot boats. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Mike Tierney about the high speed system the pilots use to keep commerce moving on the river: a helicopter and two high speed pilot boats. [9:08]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her talk with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Mike Tierney about a the new pilot boat - named the Astoria - that will arrive on the river this spring. [8:53]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Mike Tierney about a the new pilot boat - named the Astoria - that will arrive on the river this spring. We start our discussion with an explanation: what's a pilot boat and how is it different from other vessels? [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a news story about a man whose disabled boat drifted for 16 months and 8,000 miles until he finally made it to land.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about places along the Astoria waterfront where you can see marine pilots at work. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about today's Supermoon and King Tide. We'll talk about what those terms mean and what you can expect to see today if you live near the water. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new project out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution called "How Radioactive Is Our Ocean?" The project seeks crowdsource funding to pay for analysis of Pacific Ocean water, as a plume of radiation from Fukushima is predicted to reach the West Coast this spring. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about terms we may not often think much about - like what is twilight and how long is the day? The answer is - it depends. [9:07]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new proposal for methanol production plants on the Columbia River.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about marine pilots and the role they play in waterways around the world. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about The Columbia River and the professionals pilot ships on the river's treacherous waters. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about dangerous condittions on the river that can overpower small vessels. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the AMVER system - an alliance of merchant vessels committed to assisting one another at sea. This partnership saved the lives of a ship's crew this weekend off Guam. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the first African American U.S. Merchant Marine ship captain. He commanded a Liberty Ship during WWII. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what kinds of cargo comes and goes on the river, and at what ports. [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the days are getting longer as we head toward spring. We'll talk about how much longer the days are becoming, and what we can expect to see in the next few weeks. [8:29]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about common injuries on board ships caused by heavy lines and cables snapping under tension. About one person a day dies from such workplace accidents. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, we talk about this past weekend's rowdy weather and look at wind speed stats.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about China's decision not to accept U.S. grown genetically modified corn shipments. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a cold weather phenomenon called an ice quake, and how they relate to earthquakes. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the USCG icebreaker Polar Star, on her way to Antarctica on an international mission - to help free two ships trapped in pack ice. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a recording of Astoria's New Year's Eve ship horns on the waterfront. [8:49]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the rescue of passengers aboard a Russian research vessel caught in pack ice in Antarctica. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the annual celebration of ship horns sounding on the Astoria waterfront tonight at midnight to ring in the New Year. [9:19]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the days really are getting longer, and how sunrise and sunset vary from place to place on the Earth. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ship horns on the Astoria waterfornt this New Year's Eve. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with retired radio engineer Terry Wilson about ways sailors at sea can communicate with loved ones at home during the holidays. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a holiday poem from Alaska author Will Swagel called the Bight Before Christmas. It's a takeoff on the original Christmas classic about Santa, but with a fishing twist. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new island forming in the Pacific and the fragile difference between what we consider to be land and what is the sea. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a phenomenon that happens a lot this time of year: ships take longer than expected to arrive because rough weather slows them down. [8:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new fishing boat design created in Seattle that could reduce risks to commercial fishermen working in the Bering Sea and other dangerous places. [9:11]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout concludes her interview with solo round-the-world sailor Steve Way. They'll talk about great and not so great places to sail in the world. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with solo blue water sailor Steve Way about the wonders and joys of sailing far offshore alone. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with solo blue water sailor Steve Way about what can go wrong on board when you are sailing alone around the world. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with solo blue water sailor Steve Way about safety issues that come up for people sailing alone - like how to prevent yourself from falling overboard. [8:42]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with solo circumnavigator Steve Way about his adventures sailing around the world. [8:53]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with solo circumnavigator Steve Way about his adventures sailing around the world.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout commemorates a tragic maritime anniversary happening tomorrow: the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that led to the U.S entry into WWII. We'll also hear about the one person who opposed the decision to go to war - a Congresswoman from Montana named Jeanette Rankin. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about this year's annual lighting of Ilwaco, Washington's World's Tallest Crabpot Christmas Tree on Saturday, and shares a Ship Report holiday tradition: the Crabpot Tree Carol. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a recent Seattle news story about the attempted theft of a passenger ferry. The thief learned too late that ships are not like cars when it comes to starting them up and taking off. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what our cold snap means for ships and boats - the risk of ice on rigging and superstructures. It can be a deadly situation at sea. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with retired merchant mariner Terry Wilson about an important department on board ships - one that takes care of food and housekeeping - the steward's department. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with retired merchant mariners Terry Wilson about holidays at sea. Turns out a good holiday on board includes great food. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the various wind scales forecasters and mariners use worldwide to assess wind intensity and damage. The most familiar is the Beaufort Wind Scale, but there are others too. They're all designed to let humans know what to expect from the weather. [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a possible link between Arctic ice and hurricanes. [8:10]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Coast Guard rescue of a crewmember on board a ship hundreds of miles offshore. [8:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about marine weather conditions around the region - as the Columbia River Bar remains on Red status this morning, which means restrictions on ship traffic until later today. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the weather - why the Columbia River Bar is on Yellow status and what that means. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers listener questions about ships in the anchorage - why are they there? And can sailors get off the ship and go ashore for a visit? [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a collision between a ferry and a sailboat, and the rules of the road at sea for vessels. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how melting glaciers can pose hazards to ships at sea. [8:46]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why November is generally the worst month for weather year round in the Pacific Northwest. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the role U.S. merchant mariners play supporting the military during wartime. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about stormy weather around the Pacific this week, from hurricane force winds off Alaska, to a super typhoon that is devastating the Philippines. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout honors the lost sailors on the ore carrier Edmund Fitzerald, who died when the ship sank in a storm on Lake Superior in November 1975. [9:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the new film "Captain Phillips" which tells the story of the pirate attack on the containership Maersk Alabama in 2009 and the rescue of the captain by the U.S. military. [8:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Coast Guard buoy tenders, specifically, Astoria's own buoy tender Fir. Buoy tenders are a special kind of ship with a specific mission. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the unique environment at the mouths of rivers that cause waves to get big and dangerous, esepcially during storms. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a special type of vessel called a heavy lift ship, and how one of these vessels will help salvage the Costa Concordia cruise ship wreck. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the highly trained Coast Guard personnel who do all those daring rescues. Many of those folks are trained right here on the lower Columbia. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Greenpeace sailing vessel Rainbow Warrior, which arrives in the river today and will be open for tours on the Vancouver waterfront this weekend. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how cruise ships are increasing in size, with more passengers than ever before, making safety issues also more of a concern. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how numerous earthquakes are worldwide, on land and in the ocean, most of which we never feel. In fact, there's probably an earthquake happening somewhere right now. [9:02]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Pacific Northwest Winter Awareness Week, declared by the National Weather Service, and explains the difference between watches, warnings and advisories. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new book "The Gathering Wind" that tells the tragic and perplexing story of the sinking of the tall ship Bounty last October, in the waters off Cape Hatteras during Hurricane Sandy. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new ship being built in South Korea that's being called the largest floating object ever built. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the possibility that Korean shipper Hanjin could suspend service to the Port of Portland in January. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout finishes up her interivew with Capt. Dano Quinn, ship captain and fisher poet, about taking a small cruise ship out to sea - and why he still loves working on the water after 30 years. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, cruise ship captain, about a part of the river that large ships never see: the inland stretch from Portland to Idaho, where vessels must travel through locks. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, cruise ship captain, about the special challenges the Columbia River presents for vessels. [8:00]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, about how he comes up with the interesting rhyming stories he writes and performs for the Fisher Poets Gathering, and for the passengers on board his ship, the SS Legacy. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with Capt. Dano Quinn, master of the cruise ship SS Legacy, about his other identity as a fisher poet - and a regular at the annual Fisher Poet's Gathering in Astoria each winter. [8:51]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, master of the cruise ship SS Legacy, about what kind of weather challenges vessels face traveling upriver on the Columbia. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, master of the cruise ship Legacy, which recently visited Astoria On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt. Dano Quinn, master of the cruise ship Legacy, which recently visited Astoria. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about dangerous military flares that are washing up on beaches in Oregon, and why you shouldn't pick them up if you find one. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a challenge on board ship that becomes even more prevalent at this time of year, as crews endure bad weather at sea - and that's mariner fatigue. [9:15]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at storm-related river bar and harbor entrance closures (like the ones we saw this weekend on the Coast) and why they are sometimes necessary. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at this weekend's storm statistics. Bottom line: we got drenched. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a big shift happening in the weather. Seriously stormy weather arrives today. We'll talk about what's happening and what you need to watch out for. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Ocean Renewable Energy Conference happening in Astoria,Oregon, this week. We'll hear from a Camp Rilea military engineer about the future of wave energy and its value in an emergency. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the recent molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor in Hawaii, that caused massive dieoffs of marine life. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Coast Guard safety inspections that protect U.S. ports from unsafe ships, and a story about one dangerous vessel that didn't make the grade. That ship is in Portland now, and won't be allowed to leave until multiple repairs are made. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Plimsoll Marks: they're on every merchant ship that enters the river and they serve a vital purpose - protecting sailors from overloading of cargo. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a term we hear often in the marine weather forecast - Significant Wave Height - that offers clues about what to expect offshore, which is generally waves much higher than the numbers you see in the forecast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the weather, as a rowdy storm affects conditions offshore for ships and fishing boats traveling between Oregon and Alaska. It's autumn in the Pacific Northwest. [8:43]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the tour de force of expertise that allowed the fragile Costa Concordia cruise ship to be safely righted in the waters off Italy yesterday. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the massive salvage effort underway off the coast of Italy, as salvage crews commence righting the sunken Costa Concordia cruise ship, which has rested on its side on a rocky Italian reef for almost two years. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about seagoing superstitions - in honor of Friday the 13th. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with former Ironwood buoy tender crewman John Harmon, about the special bond coast guard buoy tender crews can feel with each other - what he calls "The Brotherhood of the Black Hulls." [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Capt, Tracy Allen, who was commander of the Coast Guard buoy tender Ironwood when she was on active duty in the waters off Alaska. [9:09]
On today's Ship Report, we look at the historic Coast Guard vessel Ironwood based in Astoria, which celebrated her 70th birthday last week. She's now retired from active service, and continues to serve as a seaworthy vessel. The ship is now a training vessel in the Tongue Point Job Corps Seamanship Program. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, we look at how weather affects loading of grain cargoes in the rainy Northwest, and why loading wheat in the rain can be costly and downright dangerous. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, we look at new designs to add sails to cargo ships, to save fuel and reduce pollution. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about scientific research that shows the ocean is absorbing heat and temporarily masking the effects of global warming. [8:46]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the importance of good meals on board ship - it goes way beyond nutrition - it's essential for morale and safe passage. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the shipping container, now seen everywhere on ships, trucks and trains, came to be. [8:56]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the high cost of being a jerk, and shares a story about a man who called in a fake distress call to the Coast Guard and got caught. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about two important factors in the marine weather forecast: wind waves and swells, and why mariners need to know about them. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about rainbows, something we frequently see on the lower Columbia, arcing over the anchored ships. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about today's cruise ship visiting the Port of Astoria, and now cruise ships differ from cargo ships, other than the obvious fact that their cargo is people. [9:02]
On Friday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about tides. [9:24]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the shift in our Pacific Northwest weather this week, back to our familiar cloudy skies and rainy forecasts. Is winter on the way already? [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ongoing efforts to salvage the doomed cruise ship Costa Concordia, which was wrecked off the coast of Italy in January 2012. [8:44]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the demise of the famous 'Love Boat' ship, and an accident on board that shows the hazards of the shipbreaking industry. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares news reports about continued radioactive leaks at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant. [903]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about what goes on aboard ships in the anchorage. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the adventures of an Astoria couple who have embarked on an excellent adventure: living aboard their 38 foot sailboat as they travel the Pacific. [9:26]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how ships handle onboard injuries, after two crewmen aboard a cargo ship were airlifted by the Coast Guard Monday to get medical care on shore. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about undersea telecommunications cable projects happening now off the Oregon Coast, and what you might see from land. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Coast Guard's 222nd birthday yesterday and the history of that organization, which plays such a huge role on the Lower Columbia. [9:03]
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about research into using hydrogen as fuel for ships. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a research vessel that has been successfully converted to burn recycled french fry cooking oil for fuel. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about some common nautical terms and what they mean. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about new research at the University of Texas that shows how easily terrorists might hack into a ship's GPS navigation system and take control of the vessel - without anyone on board knowing it was happening. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about plans to build a crude oil export terminal in Vancouver, Wash. If constructed, it would be the largest crude pil terminal in the Pacific Northwest. The facility would ship crude oil to U.S. refineries elsewhere. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more information about the natural gas rig fire in the Gulf of Mexico - a story about a fire hot enough to melt steel - and about the overall threat methane poses to the environment. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the evolving story of a natural gas leak at an offshore well rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Late last night the rig burst into flames and is now burning out of control. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance dredging project happening at the mouth of the Columbia now through early October. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about cargo - about what's coming and going on the river in all those ships. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Pilot Mike Balensifer about the effects ships have on other, smaller, vessels when they pass by on the river. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Columbia River Pilot Mike Balensifer about a phenomenon called ship "squat" that comes into play when handling huge vessels in the narrow and relatively shallow channel inland of Astoria. [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more from an interview with Columbia River Pilot Mike Balensifer about the powerful forces at play on the river when ships are traveling in a narrow and relatively shallow channel. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more from an interview with Columbia River Pilot Mike Balensifer about one of the most dangerous situations that can happen on the river: one ship overtaking another. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a vital skill marine pilots use to safely navigate the river - they understand the hydraulics at work when vessels pass in the narrow ship channel - the special and dangerous physics of ships. [8:51]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the unique nature of icebreakers, as a special icebreaking ship makes its way today downriver and out to sea from the shipyard in Portland. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about several different military exercises happening today off the Oregon and Washington coasts in our area, and about a proposal to allow increased and more visible training all along the Oregon Coast. [8:45]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the appeal of the once mythic Northwest Passage across the top of North America. Melting sea ice has made Arctic waters viable for ships - saving significant time, distance and fuel over other routes. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the California Maritime Academy's training ship, The Golden Bear, which is visiting Portland today to allow prospective students to tour the ship and explore educational opportunities. [8:49]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the fastest ship in the world, and how multihull vessels can attain fast speeds on the water. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how sailboats negotiate current, tides and other factors while they race on the lower Columbia. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout revisits the topic of rip currents and how to get safely out of them, Two people died this past weekend on the Northwest coast after being pulled out to sea while they were playing in the surf. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a design feature we see daily on cargo ships - the bulbous bow - why it's there and what it does for the ship. [8:52]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about safety on the water during lightning storms, in honor of National Lightning Awareness Week. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a tall ship weekend in Ilwaco, Washington. Today through Sunday, the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will be in Ilwaco for tours and sailing excursions. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that show commercial fishing is the nation's most dangerous profession.[8:53]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about potash, a common cargo on the Columbia. Lots of potash heads out of the river on ships. We'll learn what it's used for and where it comes from. [8:50]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a maritime accident where a lack of "situational awareness" caused a ship to run aground, and what that important maritime skill entails.
[9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the new tsunami evacuation maps Oregon released this week - and about community meetings where experts will hand out the new maps and explain what they mean. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a containership that broke in half yesterday in the Arabian Sea. We'll talk about what might cause a ship to break into pieces. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about recent fake distress calls to the Coast Guard in the lower Columbia area. These incidents are serious crimes that risk lives and waste resources. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the weather, and news reports about a suspected tornado yesterday in McMinnville, Oregon. We'll take a look at what causes tornadoes and a related maritime phenomenon, waterspouts. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ship accidents - what factors are involved, and where in the world are you most likely to find yourself on a sinking ship at sea? [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the latest on legal action regarding coal shipments on the Columbia, along with a startling connection between coal plants and tuna. [8:50]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about GMO corn shipments from Argentina to China, primarily for livestock feed. GMO corn, soybeans and other crops have become commonplace in the U.S. [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about China's plans to build a canal across Nicaragua that will be much bigger than the Panama Canal. It will be a real game changer in world trade and a challenge to U.S. control in the region. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains, with help from a structural engineer, why the Skagit River I-5 Bridge in Washington collapsed on May 23. And yes, a bridge can fall down if a truck hits it in just the right spot. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a move by NOAA to make permanent speed restrictions on the East Coast that prevent collisions between endangered right whales. There's a public comment period between now and early August. You can weigh in and literally help save the whales. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the ongoing court case over the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010. BP seeks to have the case dismissed, over technicalities that boil down to this: the oil rig was registered as a foreign flag ship. [8:56]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how severe weather in the Midwest is affecting vessel traffic on the Mississippi River. A few months ago it was drought - now it's flooding. We'll talk about how weather affects shipping, even many miles from the open sea. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the arrival of sunny, warmer weather will draw people to ocean beaches, where rip currents await. Would you know what to do if you were suddenly whisked out to sea while playing in the surf? Find out on today's report. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about evolving technology that could allow the U.S. Coast Guard to use unmanned drones in search and rescue, to help pinpoint the location of people who need help at sea. [9:04]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the logistics of rescues, another cruise ship fire in the news, and what it means to have 4,000 people on one vessel if something serious goes wrong. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the world's largest ship, under construction in South Korea. It's part of a worldwide trend toward larger, more energy-efficient vessels. [8:47]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what Memorial Day has to do with mariners, especially the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the collapse of a bridge on I-5 last night that sent cars plunging into the Skagit River. Would you know what to do if your car went in the water? We'll talk about how to get out safely. [9:28]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about National Safe Boating Week and shares some strategies that could save your life during boating season in the Pacific Northwest. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how a maritime news story this week shows the bond between mariners, and the teamwork that saves lives in an emergency. [9:00]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout does an update on the salvage operation and court case over the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia. Her captain is being prosecuted in Italian court for his role in the disaster, which happened last January off the Tuscany coast. For many professional mariners, his behavior constituted a breach of honor. [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the unique and high level US Coast Guard training facilities located on the lower Columbia in Oregon and Washington. [8:48]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an engineering concept called the "six degrees of freedom," which describes the myriad ways ships can bounce and roll around at sea. It's more freedom than anyone really wants, and marine designers are doing their best to control it. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about AMVER, the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue system. Its members are commercial vessels who have volunteered to help save lives. [9:24]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about two cruise ships that visited Astoria this week, including one in town today. They are two of the largest ships we have ever seen on the Columbia. But how do they compare to the biggest cruise ship in the world? [8:29]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about special visitors on the river this week: the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will be sailing on the Columbia, visiting ports along the way. [9:10]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a maritime accident in Italy in which a ship leaving the dock in Genoa ended up hitting and destroying a control tower on shore. It shows why staying out of a moving ship's way is a very good idea. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a bridge repair project coming up locally in Warrenton, Ore. We'll talk about what's next and learn a little about drawbridges and how they work. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the future of coal exports on the Columbia, as one company drops a proposal and opposition continues both inland and on the coast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a union labor protest that temporarily blocked a ship from loading grain at Kalama this week. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the continued federal sequester cuts are affecting the maritime industry. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the beginning of cruise ship season in Astoria. All told this year 21 ships will visit Astoria between May and December. [9:30]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a little known fact: drowning people don't usually "look" like they're drowning. Here's how you might save a life someday in waters near you. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, in honor of the international holiday May Day, Joanne Rideout talks about the universal distress call - Mayday - and how it's used to report emergencies. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the Coast Guard decides where to search, and for how long, when someone goes overboard. [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a rescue mission happening right now in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - after a man fell off a 38-ft. sailboat in the middle of the night, 500 miles offshore. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about medical care at sea and how computers have improved mariners' access to land-based emergency services. [9:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about fire on board ship and why it can be such a dangerous situation. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about dangerous flooding that now plagues the Mississippi River system in the Midwest. A few months ago, drought was the big problem keeping vessels away. Either way, river commerce is suffering. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the industry of shipbreaking, as the Port of Astoria considers whether to allow a shipbreaking business to set up shop on Port property. [9:04]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the constantly changing maritime environment and why paying attention is essential, and revealing. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a little known but significant maritime safety risk: electroshock drowning. It's an unseen threat that can kill you if you swim in a freshwater marina. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an unusual story about a tug and barge rescue off the California coast. [9:15]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the latest headlines about Carnival Cruise Lines - a U.S. senator wants the company to pay up for the $780,000 it cost the U.S. Coast Guard to rescue the ship after an engine fire off the coast of Mexico. [8:55]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the meanings of some nautical expressions that are part of everyday speech but had their start at sea, including one we hear quite often these days in the realm of politics - filibuster. [9:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the master of a bulk carrier who was relieved of duty and arrested in Portland, after the Coast Guard noticed during a routine inspection that he was drunk. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a proposed cruise ship passenger bill of rights and why passengers might need such a thing. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the launching of the world's largest superyacht, a recreational boat that's as big as the merchant ships we see on the Columbia. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout commemorates the 50-year anniversary this week of the loss of the US nuclear submarine USS Thresher, which sank in 8,400 feet of water in the Atlantic Ocean off Boston, Massachusetts, in 1963. [8:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about live fish that scientists think may have floated across the Pacific in a partially submerged boat swept out to sea during the 2011 tsunami in Japan. [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a stormy weekend coming up, including weather phenomena like the coastal jet, and why sometimes the weather can be worse near shore than out at sea. [8:46]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares interesting nautical terms, what they mean and where they came from. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a college student's innovative invention, which he claims can clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. [9:33]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about major tsunamis through history, including some that were so severe they changed entire cultures. One happened in Hawaii on April Fool's Day. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about car carriers, a common sight on the Columbia River. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a message in a bottle publicity stunt by a Norwegian soft drink company, and what it says about ocean currents. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about loading cargo on ships, and why how slippery a cargo is matters greatly at sea. [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a positive cruise ship story about a Carnival cruise lines vessel that rescued boaters in distress. In fact, ships helping boats is something that happens often at sea. [9:28]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a troubling news story from Japan, where a power outage at the Fukushima nuclear power plant shows the facility is far from stable, two years after the March 2001 earthquake and tsunami. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers listener questions about ships passing under the bridge and anchoring in the waters off Astoria. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout gives some pointers on how to tell what kind of ship you're looking at in the anchorage or passing by on the river. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at who's on board the cargo ships that come into the Columbia River. [9:30]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at pilots on the river, namely Columbia River Bar Pilots and Columbia River Pilots. [9:35]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at ships offshore in the Astoria Anchorage. What are they doing there, and what can we learn from watching these vessels anchored offshore? [8:57]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout concludes her interview about sea level rise with Pat Corcoran, coastal hazards outreach specialist with OSU. Today they talk about tsunamis, the phenomenon of subsidence, and how to be prepared without scaring yourself out of your wits. [9:26]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Coastal Hazards Outreach Specialist Pat Corcoran about historical patterns in sea level rise. [6:41]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explores ideas related to sea level rise - such as why ocean sea level can be higher in the winter than in the summer in the Pacific Northwest. We'll hear from Coastal Hazards Outreach Specialist Pat Corcoran. [7:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her chat with Pat Corcoran, coastal hazards outreach specialist with Oregon State University, about sea level rise. Today we look at effects in the Pacific Northwest. [8:32]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout begins a series on sea level rise in the Pacific Northwest. We'll talk this week with Pat Corcoran, coastal hazards outreach specialist with Oregon State University. Today Pat will explain what kinds of environmental changes are causing sea level to become noticeably higher. [9:04]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout welcomes the car ferry Wahkiakum back into service after a hiatus for repairs. The ferry takes passengers across the Columbia River between Puget Island, Washington, and Westport, Oregon. She serves one of just a few remaining ferry crossings on the mainstem Columbia. [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about severe weather terminology, and why knowing what certain terms mean (like watch and warning) can prevent unnecessary worry, and be a lifesaver. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about storms - what are they, and why are they associated with low pressure?
[9:18]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout observes National Severe Weather Awareness Week by looking back in history to the infamous 1962 Columbus Day Storm that hit Oregon and Washington. As bad as things were in 2007 during the Great Coastal Gale, the 1962 storm was worse. [9:33]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout observes National Severe Weather Awareness Week with a look back at the Great Coastal Gale of 2007, which walloped the Pacific Northwest. [9:01]
On Wednesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about what effect federal sequestration funding cuts, if implemented, could have on U.S. Coast Guard operations. [9:23]
On Wednesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the status of Shell Oil's Arctic drilling projects, and shares news about another oil well leak in the Gulf of Mexico. [9:33]
On Wednesday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about "significant wave height," a meteorological term we hear in the marine weather forecast all the time. Understanding what this term really means will do a lot for your safety at sea. [9:17]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a derelict cruise ship that is drifting on the high seas in the north Atlantic, and no one seems to want to claim it. [9:18]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the full moon: how mariners use it to navigate, and names for the full moon in each month. February is the Snow Moon. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, we hear performances from fisher poets and musicians, in honor of Fisher Poets Gathering 2013 happening this weekend in Astoria, Oregon. We'll hear musician Jon Campbell perform his hilarious "Fredericks of Galilee" and poet Erin Fristad explain what's so great about not being on a boat. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a marine safety expert's views on how to tell when it's time to call the Coast Guard, based on what happened in the tragic sinking of the tall ship HMS Bounty. [9:06]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a weird new development in ship bottom paint: a hull coating that can wrinkle itself as needed to slough off friction-causing bacteria and barnacles. [9:04]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about difficult conditions on board the disabled cruise ship Triumph this week as she drifted off the Mexico coast after an engine fire, and how things could deteriorate so fast on board the ship. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more testimony from the Coast Guard hearing about the sinking of the tall ship HMS Bounty. A shipwright who inspected the vessel told investigators the ship had extensive dry rot in its wooden hull. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Coast Guard investigation that began this week regarding the sinking of the HMS Bounty. We'll learn more about the final hours on board that doomed ship. [9:12]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about "ship tracks," vapor trails of pollution scientists are able to track using satellites. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ways ships can recycle their own exhaust to gain efficiency, save fuel and reduce air pollution. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout goes to Cannon Beach, Ore., to learn about how volunteers play a vital role in marine debris cleanup for that city's Pacific Ocean beach. We'll talk to a guy who walks the beach most mornings with a plastic bag and a pair of grabbers and ask him what he finds out there. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at yesterday's news story about another big piece of possible Japanese tsunami debris - a 30-foot boat that washed up on Gleneden Beach in Oregon. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at yesterday's 8.0 earthquake near Australia and explains why emergency responders were on alert last night as far away as the Pacific Northwest. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a ride on the beach with Terry Sund, who works for the department of public works in Cannon Beach, Ore. They'll discuss tsunami debris that's washing up there. [9:00]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about something rare that sometimes washes up on the beach: whale poop, or even whale vomit. Whatever you call it, if you find this unglamorous looking sea treasure - ambergris - it could be worth thousands. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why ships are slowing down worldwide, adopting a practice called "super slow steaming." How much fuel can ships save? [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new cargo on the Columbia: crude oil being shipped out of Clatskanie on ATB tug and barge rigs. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about yesterday's 5.5 quake off the Coast of southern Oregon near Coos Bay, and about earthquake patterns in our part of the world. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a sad maritime news story this week, about a crab boat beached on Ledbetter Point. We'll talk about salvage and what it means to lose a boat.
[9:01]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unusual new vehicle aimed at the luxury yacht market: it's a car, no, it's a boat - actually, it's both. It follows a proud, if quirky, tradition of cars that can drive into the water and get around. [8:58]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares local maritime history as we take a look at yesterday's waterfront ceremony to designate Astoria, Ore., as an official Coast Guard City. With this honor, Astoria joins the ranks of just a dozen Coast Guard cities nationwide. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ships that carry live animals as cargo. [9:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about animals in the Coast Guard. These four-legged, furry recruits often have their own service records, uniforms and bunks. Some are even officers. All are dearly loved by their crewmates, and serve alongside them in peace and war. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about animals and the Coast Guard - in particular, critters the Coast Guard has rescued. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Coast Guard's role in law enforcement, particularly catching illegal drug smugglers. [9:19]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about tugboats: why do tugs seldom appear on the vessel traffic schedule, when there are so many of them operating on the river? [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a huge floating drydock purchased by a Portland shipyard, a very interesting cargo that will be arriving on the river in 2014. [9:26]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a powerful storm developing in the western Pacific near Japan that experts say could rival Hurricane Sandy in its intensity. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the 52nd anniversary this past weekend of the sinking of the Coast Guard motor lifeboat Triumph, which was lost in 1961 on the Columbia River Bar. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the one-year anniversary yesterday of the wreck of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy, and the ongoing salvage effort to remove the ship's rotting hulk from where it ran aground. [8:58]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about grain exports going out of the Columbia - where are they grown and how do they get to ports? [9:36]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the NY Harbor ferry accident in which a high speed commuter ferry slammed into a dock. We'll also talk about how something like a ferry can stop at all, when by nature it has no brakes. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Shell oil rig that ran aground on an Alaska beach last week. It's been towed off the beach and is now in safe harbor. New details in the case reveal that Shell moved the rig to avoid paying Alaska taxes. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about difficult weather happening at sea, and why smaller vessels are restricted today from entering most Pacific Northwest harbors. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the earthquake that happened this weekend off the coast of Alaska, and how scientists tell whether subsequent quakes are aftershocks or just new quakes. We'll also talk about how to prepare for disaster without obsessing. [8:57]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Shell oil rig that ran aground in Alaska this week. She answers questions like: what's an oil rig, and it is considered a ship? [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Astoria's ship horns on New Year's Eve, and shares a recording of what residents heard on the waterfront. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about New Year's maritime traditions around the world. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about ringing in the New Year with ship horns on the Astoria waterfront tonight.
[9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about another looming labor dispute involving ports and ships, this time on the East Coast. [9:12]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the labor dispute that's affecting grain terminals on the Columbia River. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why mariners are often away from home during the holidays, and shares the story behind the famous holiday song, "I'll be home for Christmas." [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about that beached dock on the Washington Coast and how it's causing headaches for scientists worried about invasive species. [9:35]
Note: There was no Ship Report yesterday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about tsunami debris - as another large floating dock spotted off the Washington coast last week washes ashore in Olympic National Park. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the backlog of ships on the river after just one day of a Columbia River Bar closure. [9:11]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about today's stormy marine weather around the region. The Columbia River Bar is on RED status this morning, meaning we'll see no ships entering the river till conditions improve. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout discusses her efforts to encourage ship horns on the waterfront again this year on New Year's Eve in Astoria, Oregon, and talks about an unusual dry land participant from last year's event. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout give us the scoop on a unique maritime event happening in Astoria, Ore., this evening. Astoria resident and artisan woodworker Tim Kennedy will give a talk tonight at the Fort George Brewery's Lovell Building. He'll share photos and give a talk about his kayaking adventures off the coast of Russia. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about King Tides happening again this week and how your photo of local flooding can make a difference. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the topic of ocean acidification, why we should be concerned, and what we can do about it. [9:14]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more about the recent collision between a container ship and a car ship in the North Sea. The accident shows why certain ship designs can be more dangerous than others in an emergency. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answer a listener's questions about shipping lanes off the Pacific Northwest coast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a news story about two merchant ships that collided in the North Sea Wednesday. One of them, a car carrier, sank in a matter of minutes. We revisit the concept of why ships float, and why they sometimes don't. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about federal funding cuts to Pacific Northwest dredging projects that are threatening local economies in ports like Ilwaco, Washington, and Port Orford, Oregon. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about our marine weather, which includes a calming trend onshore in the Pacific Northwest, but rowdy conditions offshore for ships and other vessels. She'll also discuss two wind terms we often hear in the forecast: veering and backing. [9:16]
On Monday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a Great Lakes legend, the schooner Rouse Simmons. She was known far and wide in the early 1900’s as a ship that brought Christmas trees to the people of Chicago. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout airs the annual tongue-in-cheek holiday classic, "The Crabpot Tree Carol," performed by the Ilwaco Merchants Association Chorale, and has details about this year's lighting of the World's Tallest Crabpot Christmas Tree. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at Crescent City, California, which hopes to become the West Coast's first tsunami-resistant city. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at the marine weather forecast, which includes a strong weather system with the potential for Storm force winds. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at the meterological phenomenon of the coastal jet, which is happening this week along headlands and beaches. [9:13]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout looks at maritime news from Canada, as two cargo ships experience problems in British Columbia waters. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at Thanksgiving at sea and around the world, and reports on some surprising weather stats from Monday's storm. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes a look at yesterday's stormy weather on the coast, and ahead to what's in store later in the week. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the first closure of the Columbia River Bar this season, as stormy conditions this weekend became too dangerous to bring ships in and out of the river. Wave heights today could reach 30 feet. [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about inclement weather that's about to descend on the coast, and what that can mean for vessels out in it. We'll also review why the Columbia River Bar has such a fearsome reputation worldwide. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about king tides happening this week, which are among the highest tides of the year. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more about the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster, with additional information from listeners who heard yesterday's show. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout honors the lost crewman of the ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald, who perished in 1975 when their vessel sank in a violent storm on Lake Superior. [9:18] (Please note: no Ship Report yesterday: Veterans Day holiday)
On Friday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy is affecting the East Coast's maritime industry and environment. [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about earthquakes this week in the ocean off the Oregon coast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the return of wintry temperatures to the Pacific Northwest region this week, and with it concerns about wind chill factor, especially at sea where it's nearly always windy. [9:19]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the U.S. government decision to temporarily suspend the Jones Act in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. What is the Jones Act and how does it affect shipping [9:11]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Coast Guard's suspended search for the missing captain of the HMS Bounty, and talks about what it takes to survive a fall overboard. [9:22]
On Friday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout remembers iconic fisher poet Smitty Smith, who passed away last week at the age of 86, after a life well-lived. [9:38]
On Thursday's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the numerous aftershocks that have happened in coastal British Columbia since Saturday's earthquake and tsunami. [9:38]
On Tuesday's Ship Report, Today tall ship mariners and enthusiasts are mourning the loss of the HMS Bounty, which sank off North Carolina yesterday in Hurricane Sandy. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout has more info on the earthquake and tsunami that happened Saturday night in coastal British Columbia, and offers details about how to be better informed about seismic events. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout has a followup from an earlier story this week: the USCG has found the source of that new oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico. And it's linked to the 2010 BP disaster. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout follows the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, where prosecutors say it was Nature, not the captain, that steered the ship to shallow water and saved lives. [9:20]
(Note: technical difficulties prevented the Ship Report from airing yesterday, Wed, Oct 24, 2012.)
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new study that analyzes the effects of piracy incidents on the mental health of seafarers. In a nutshell: piracy creates genuine trauma, but seagoing culture makes sailors hesitant to admit it. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout compares cell phones and VHF radios, and explains why a cell phone may not be much help to you in an emergency on the water. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about incredible rainfall statistics for our season opening storm this past weekend, and about why this year has been the worst since 2006 for boater fatalities. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the weather, which is certainly on the minds of mariners working offshore right now. We'll learn more about some weather terms you hear a lot this time of year, like Small Craft Advisory for Hazardous Seas, and Significant Wave Height. [9:00]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the historic windjammer Peking, which once carried cargo around infamous Cape Horn. The stately tall ship is in need of repair and a home where she'll be cared for. She's also running out of time. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the marine weather forecast, and today there's lots to talk about: storms at sea are everywhere off the Pacific Northwest coast. [9:15]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about Sunnycamp 2012, a traditional folk music gathering happening next weekend on the Long Beach Peninsula, organized by songwriter Mary Garvey. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about challenges to navigation coming up this weekend and beyond: low water levels in the Columbia River and rough weather at sea. [9:13]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a little-known threat to oil drilling efforts and other activities on the ocean floor: millions of unexploded WWII era bombs and other weapons that were dumped decades ago. Now no one really knows where they are, just that they're out there somewhere in U.S. coastal waters. [9:05]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a malady common in the Pacific Northwest: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, where people get depressed when the sun is out. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a story about a man who was found floating alone without a lifejacket in the South China Sea. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about hagfish, a primitive type of fish that looks like an eel. Hagfish are popular as food in Korea, and are fished commercially here in the Pacific Northwest. They are known for producing enormous quantities of thick slime. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about upwelling, the movement of cold, deep ocean water to the surface. We'll learn how upwelling is related to the north winds we've had lately on the PNW Coast, and why it's important. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a maritime accident that happened Friday when two fishing boats collided in the fog off the Washington coast. One man died. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a case going before the U.S Supreme Court that hinges on - what's the definition of a vessel or boat? The ramifications could be far-reaching for other floating structures. [9:15]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an award for heroism received by the crew of the Costa Concorida cruise ship, which sank off Italy in January. We also look at cruise ship design and why cruise ships are in general extremely safe. [9:03]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about dredges - specialized ships that make river commerce possible. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about tugboats, and the important role these skillful workhorses play in river commerce. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how common earthquakes really are worldwide - in fact, many earthquakes happen daily on planet Earth. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an unusual earthquake in Alaska in 1946 that surprised scientists by generating a 100 ft. high tsunami wave. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a controversial decision regarding tsunami sirens - Tillamook County, Oregon, has decided they don't make the grade in protecting the public from disaster. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new, unusual-looking ship design that could show up in Coast Guard vessels in a few years, and why some ships come into the Columbia and head for an anchorage instead of a berth. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how we use stars to navigate and how the Dog Star, Sirius, has made a name for itself in human culture since the days of ancient Greece. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more about the first U.S. cabled research observatory on the ocean floor. The cable ship Dependable has been working all summer on this project. We've seen her occasionally transiting in and out of the Columbia River. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a unique science project that's been happening off Oregon this summer - the installation of the first U.S cabled research observatory on the ocean floor. Soon scientists and the public will be able to stream real-time data from sites along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. [9:22]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the origin of the expression "three sheets to the wind," which dates to the days of Clipper ships, and why modern ships these days are emulating the iconic Clippers. [9:35]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an amazing story of survival this past weekend: a fishermen floats for a day and a half in stormy Alaska waters in a 4'x4' fish tote, before he's finally spotted by fellow fishermen and rescued by the Coast Guard. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a true story of maritime heroism during 9/11: how boats came from to the rescue of stranded disaster victims in New York City. It became the largest sea rescue in history, done mostly by professional mariners who risked their lives to step up in a crisis. [9:23]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the discovery by the U.S. Coast Guard of the wreck of the Lady Cecilia, a commercial fishing boat lost off Washington's Long Beach Peninsula this past March. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a frightening maritime international incident that happened this past week. A U.S. flag ship was detained in Venezuela on false charges of drug smuggling and weapons trafficking, boarded by armed soldiers and the captain arrested and taken away. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how the new, larger locks that will soon open at the Panama Canal could permanently alter West Coast shipping, sending business elsewhere. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the U.S Coast Guard. In our coastal communities, it's a common sight to see a Coast Guard helicopter flying by. Where are they going? We'll take a look at recent CG rescues. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a wave energy project that set to go online this fall off Reedsport, Oregon. [9:13]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a valuable and fragile cargo arriving on the Columbia these days - windmill parts for wind power projects in the inland Northwest. We'll also talk about the people who unload this high tech equipment - the skilled longshoremen and women who work the docks. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about our modern navigational buoys and how they evolved from the floating barrels and wooden spars used centuries ago to mark ship channels. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how Hurricane Isaac is affecting oil production in the Gulf of Mexico. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an Astoria, Oregon, icon - the Lightship Columbia at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. She's moving temporarily to new quarters. She once guarded the entrance to the river, on the notorious Columbia River Bar. [8:26]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout discusses the arrival of hurricane season, why some huge storms rate the term "hurricane" while others of equal strength do not. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the Panama Canal, which opened 98 years ago this month. The opening of this man-made waterway in 1914 changed the course of ship traffic forever. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains how ships handle storms at sea and why staying out in bad weather can sometimes be the safest course. [9:28]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains why parts of the Mississippi River have been closed to vessel traffic this month, as the Midwest drought worsens. [9:38]
Note: Because listeners on Coast Community Radio heard a repeat of Monday's report by mistake, today's Ship Report repeats yesterday's feature content on military history of the Columbia River. Ship traffic and Weather are correct for Wednesday.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains why the mouth of the Columbia River once had so many active forts and military defenses, and why naval mines might still be buried in silt at the bottom of the river. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout explains why the mouth of the Columbia River once had so many active forts and military defenses, and why naval mines might still be buried in silt at the bottom of the river. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout revisits the topic of melting Arctic ice, which is causing lots of interest among nations such as China, who want to access natural resources there. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the law and common sense when it comes to boats and ships on the Columbia. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a huge floating island of volcanic pumice that scientists have been puzzling over. It's floating in the South Pacific near New Zealand.
[9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the labor dispute at the Port of Portland over who will plug and unplug refrigerated containers. It's a complicated issue and today could signal a turning point. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the large earthquake that happened Monday night off the coast of Siberia - magnitude 7.7 - but no tsunami occurred. We'll look at what causes some earthquakes to cause tsunamis while others do not.
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an update on plans to ship coal out of the Columbia River for export to China. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about a nautical term: what's a poop deck? And why are bathrooms on boats and ships called heads? [9:34]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why new environmentally-friendly containerships are being called the "Priuses of the Sea." [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the mounting lawsuits in the case of a cruise ship accused of failing to assist a small boat in distress off the coast of Panama. Two fishermen in the boat later died of dehydration. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about why U.S. ships will be banned from shipbreaking yards in India from now on, and what the infamous Exxon Valdez has to do with this environmental dustup. It's a story about toxic waste, death, and protecting countries from one another's dangerous trash. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne talks about how the ongoing severe drought in the Midwest is affecting U.S. shipping. [9:23]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the anniversary last week of the sinking of the cruise ship Andrea Doria in 1956, and shares the results of an unflattering study about chivalry during cruise ship disasters. Turns out "women and children first" may be the exception, not the rule. [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks more about melting ice in the Arctic - has it ever happened before to this degree? And how what looks like open water there can still be fraught with danger. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an update on recent Japan tsunami debris sightings in West Coast waters, and federal funding is on the way to help debris-affected states with cleanup. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares the answer to a listener question - one of her own - about whether bulk carriers ever carry different cargoes on the same ship. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares a "where are they now?" story, about the fate of the infamous ship the Exxon Valdez. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new study that shows how marine reserves can help underwater ecosystems recover after a disaster. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how things are going with the salvage operation on the sunken cruise ship the Costa Concordia in Italy. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a military ship that visited Astoria this weekend with a special story to tell. [9:23]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a new study showing elevated levels of caffeine in ocean waters off the Oregon coast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the ongoing labor dispute at the Port of Portland in Oregon that has halted container ship traffic on the Columbia River. (Apologies for no Ship Report Wednesday - computer crash intervened - all's well now!) [9:35]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a saga that begins today, as four Americans set out in a rowboat to row the Arctic Ocean from Canada to Russia. Their aim is to highlight the presence of open ocean where there once was pack ice. [9:02]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout solves the mystery of the missing sea lions - where have Astoria's sea lions gone? [9:23]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares some positive maritime news to take us into the weekend, including a hybrid car carrier, and a rescued sea turtle. [9:20]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about news reports that indicate China has so much coal stockpiled that imports of the fuel to that country are slowing worldwide. What does this mean long term for U.S. projects that seek to send coal to China? [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout commemorates an unusual geologic anniversary this week - 54 years ago the largest tsunami ever recorded happened in Alaska - after an earthquake there caused a wave 1,720 ft high that ripped through remote Lituya Bay. [9:21]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares more energy news, about how world markets are being affected by a drop in gasoline use in the U.S. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about an informational forum Tuesday in Astoria about revised plans to export LNG from in nearby Warrenton, Oregon. Why export? We'll learn about the controversial gas extraction practice known as "fracking." [9:23]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about a possible silver lining amidst the Japanese tsunami debris washing up on Oregon and Washington beaches - it might draw more tourists to the Coast. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how a freight train derailment in eastern Washington has put the spotlight once again on coal export plans in the Pacific Northwest. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the rising concern over tsunami debris on the West Coast, and new options for Oregonians who see objects in the water or on the beach. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about how at one time in its history, the Houston Ship Channel and other rivers around the U.S .were so polluted that the water itself sometimes caught fire. [9:32]
On Friday, Joanne Rideout talks with Houston pilot Mike Morris about how the Houston Ship Channel handles supertankers that are too big to enter the waterway. And locally, the Clatsop Spit Waverider Buoy that went adrift this week rides again! [9:17]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Houston pilot Mike Morris about ship anchorages, what they are and what purpose they serve along an active waterway. [9:18]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Houston Ship Channel Pilot Capt. Mike Morris about transit times - how long does it take a ship to get from the Gulf of Mexico to Houston and why do they need pilots to help? [8:04]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Houston Ship Channel Pilot Capt. Mike Morris about the kinds of cargoes handled on this busy waterway in Texas, where refineries and other industrial facilities line the waterfront. [8:31]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout answers a listener question about a maritime accident on the Astoria waterfront in 1994 - when the 900-ft. long tanker Keystone Canyon hit the Astoria Megler Bridge. [9:38]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Houston marine pilot Capt. Mike Morris about a world famous maneuver pilots do on the Houston Ship Channel called the Texas Chicken. While it can be terrifying to watch, the Texas Chicken is the only safe way for ships to pass. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Houston marine pilot Capt. Mike Morris. We're talking about cargo today and compare Houston to the Columbia. [9:16]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Houston marine pilot Capt. Mike Morris. One of the biggest challenges for Houston pilots is the sheer volume of daily ship traffic. How does that compare to the Columbia? [9:14]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Houston marine pilot Capt. Mike Morris. Today we talk about pilot boats and how they differ from one region to another, based on the needs pilots have for safety and effectiveness. [9:28]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout shares an interview with Houston marine pilot Capt. Mike Morris. Captain Morris tells us a little about these skilled mariners and how they navigate this challenging maritime environment. [9:33]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout give us another glimpse into the famed Houston Ship Channel, as she reports from Houston, Texas. One interesting fact: torrential rains can stop ship traffic in Houston - once it rained 11 inches in six hours, causing so much flooding that channel currents reached 8 knots. [9:33]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout takes the Ship Report on the road, reporting from Houston, Texas. Today we'll talk about the famous Houston Ship Channel, a maritime realm that offers its own unique challenges, some similar to the Columbia River. [9:19]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about river dangers highlighted by a recent suicide attempt in Longview. [7:28]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout discusses the departure of the Rose Festival Fleet, and continues her interview with the captain of the visiting Canadian Navy vessel Oriole, about what it's like to sail the ship at sea. [9:08]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks about the big tsunami debris story in the news this week - a barge-sized dock that floated across the ocean and landed on an Oregon beach, and what you should do if you find tsunami debris. [9:33]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout continues her interview with Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Kibble, captain of the HMCS Oriole. Today we talk about how seasickness can dampen crewmembers' enthusiasm for ocean sailing. We also learn about where you might see the Oriole sailing when she's not visiting the U.S. [9:37]
On today's Ship Report, Joanne Rideout talks with Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Kibble, captain of the HMCS Oriole. The Canadian Navy sailing ship visited Astoria this week as part of the Rose Festival Fleet. We usually know very little about the people on board the ships that pass by. I asked him, "Who's on board?" [9:25]