The Ship Report

The Ship Report: Monday, July 21, 2026This week I'm taking a little much needed time off, so we'll be hearing a bit from the Ship Report archives, a really interesting interview i did with Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Robert Johnson, sometime in the early 2000s, all about the often-seen bulk carrier, the most common type of ship we see on the Columbia. There's a great deal to know, and we talk about a lot of it. Enjoy! Today is Part 2.The Ship Report will return with new content, ship schedules and marine weather, on Monday, July 27.

The Ship Report, Monday, July 20, 2026This week I'm taking a little much needed time off, so we'll be hearing a bit from the Ship Report archives, a really interesting interview i did with Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Robert Johnson, sometime in the early 2000s, all about the often-seen bulk carrier, the most common type of ship we see on the Columbia. There's a great deal to know, and we talk about a lot of it. Enjoy! Today is Part 1.The Ship Report will return with new content, ship schedules and marine weather, on Monday, July 27.

The Ship Report, Thursday, July 16, 2026in our region's maritime history, the Columbia River Bar has long been known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, because of all the vessels lost there, at the mouth of the river. Nowadays, even with all our high tech modern gear and resources, it's still considered one of the most dangerous river entrances in the world. Today we'll talk about some of the reasons why.

The Ship Report, July 15, 2026The historic fireboat David Campbell found a permanent place in history yesterday, after being placed on land at Astoria's Columbia River Maritime Museum. A big crowd turned out to watch the proceedings, which involved lifting the 244,00 lb. boat off a barge and carefully placing her on land as an outdoor exhibit, soon to be open to the public.  The boat has a long. honored history of service in the Portland area.Today we'll talk about her new role educating the public, and about fireboats and what they do.Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons. The David Campbell in past years welcoming the Rose Festival Fleet to Portland, Oregon.

The Ship Report, Tuesday, July 14, 2026Today we'll talk about economies of scale in the maritime industry, which means that the more you can ship at once in a single vessel, the more money you save in transportation costs. Sounds pretty dull, right?Well, when you start looking at the numbers, it's really kind of mind boggling. The amount of cargo a single barge can carry compared to say, a train of freight cars, or a fleet of semis, is pretty incredible. We'll learn why they say barges are the cheapest mode of transport in the US. And when it comes to ships, the numbers go even higher.

The Ship Report, Monday, July 7, 2026Today we'll look at some of the ordinary things that add up to an interesting day in the region, in terms of maritime things.Winds should die down later this week, and a look at some details about ships on today's schedule.

The Ship Report, Thursday, July 9, 2026For some folks, seeing a list of ships coming in and out of the river is just that - a list.When I look at them, I see all kinds of details that I've learned from many conversations I've had over the years with career mariners in our region and beyond.I've soaked up what they told me, because I found it fascinating. It's rewarding for me to share that with you here on the show.So we'll talk a bit about marine weather and then take a look at a couple of ships, and a bit of what they're about.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, July 8, 2026Today we'll talk about how we can look for clues in the marine environment right in front of us, or use readily available information, to keep us safe and enjoying life as we use the river and ocean beaches. We'll talk about some things locals know that allow them to work with, instead of against, the immense power of the Columbia River and the ocean.

The Ship Report, Tuesday, July 7, 2026It's another unseen piece of the maritime industry puzzle: how do ships get cargoes on and off. We'll take a look at some of the most common practices.

The Ship Report, Monday, July 7, 2026Today we have a small ship schedule, and that presents two opportunities for me here: to reassure you that a day here and there with fewer ships is not a trend. It's just what happens. And also, I have a chance to use this time to look at the ships that are here in more depth. There's a lot of interesting detail to talk about. Let's take a look…

The Ship Report, Thursday, July 2, 2026This week we're celebrating the birthday of legendary ship captain and maritime pilot Captain Deborah Dempsey. She was a Columbia River Bar Pilot for decades here in Astoria. She sailed around the world as the master of big ships. And from her admission into the Maine Maritime Academy in the 1970s to her hiring as a bar pilot, her life as been filled with instances where she has been the first woman to do many of the jobs s he has held in the maritime industry. She's also a heckuva nice person, a good friend and an incredible mariner. Happy Birthday, Deb!

The Ship Report, Wednesday, July 1, 2026Today I'll answer a couple of listener questions about what it means when ship traffic numbers are low (hint: not much on a given day), and a question about car ships and why they never seem to look different whether they have loaded or unloaded cargo (the secret decoder phrase is: ballast water).

The Ship Report, Tuesday, June 30, 2026Today, an "unusual ship alert" for a unique US Coast Guard ship that we hardly ever see on the Columbia. The USCG Cutter Healy, the Guard's largest ship and an icebreaker, has been at the Portland Vigor shipyard since January for maintenance and repairs.She heads downriver and out to sea today. We'll talk about her unusual mission and capabilities, which include breaking through 4.5 feet of solid ice, and hosting scientific crews hoping to study high latitude waters near the North Pole.

The Ship Report, June 29, 2026It was in the “ordinary things we take for granted that are quite important” department: the National Weather Service on Sunday suddenly did not have weather forecasts available to the public on their website, thanks to an IT issue. As they worked to fix it, we went a few hours without updated weather info. Maybe not the end of the world in most cases, but for folks in parts of the country experiencing severe weather, accurate updated NWS warnings could be lifesaving.Today we talk about the importance of this taxpayer-funded service, which is free to the public, and relied upon by land dwellers and mariners alike. How its data is the basis for most forecasts across many platforms and apps. And how we take for granted the complex system that makes it possible.

The Ship Report, Thursday, June 25, 2026Continuing the theme of ships in the anchorage this week, I thought I would share another listener question about anchored ships. It has to do with a frequent choice ships make, which is to deploy the anchor on the port side instead of the starboard side when anchoring off Astoria.It's an interesting question with an equally interesting answer, that shows the level of complexity of even ordinary things relating to vessels.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, June 24, 2026Today I'll answer a listener question about why anchored ships can look so disorganized. It happens when the tide is changing on the river.It's a good question that involves water flow, natural systems, and reflects the complex and amazing place we live in.

The Ship Report, Tuesday, June 23, 2026The amazing anchor chainShips sitting calmly in the anchorage are actually far from still: they're doing a slow dance around an ingenious anchor and chain system that works in strong currents, acting like a spring, to protect the ship and keep it stable.

The Ship Report, Monday, June 22, 2026Today, an update on the ocean sensors story from last week, and a look at how wind and tide greatly affect river conditions - something to pay attention to if you're going out in a boat.

The Ship Report, Thursday, June 18, 2026It might seem like a ship is just moseying by on its way up or downriver, but the truth is a lot of planning and scheduling goes into the movements of every ship on the Columbia. Today we'll talk about the factors at play, and the strategies our professionals use to keep ships, people and cargo safe on the river.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, June 17, 2026Today I'll share a story that's a follow-up to Monday's program on ocean sensors. It's about how some US senators are now responding to the news that National Science Foundation ocean sensors are being removed from our waters off Newport and Grays Harbor.And I'll share the results of an afternoon of research, in my attempt to answer a listener question: is there is fraud in NOAA's ocean monitoring program?

The Ship Report, Tuesday, June 16, 2026Two local people drowned this weekend, one on the Willamette River, and one on the Columbia. Today we'll talk about factors in our area waters that can make doing relatively normal recreational activities a life-threatening hazard.

The Ship Report: Monday, June 15, 2026Today we'll talk about the removal of National Science Foundation Pacific ocean data sensors off the coast of Oregon and Washington this week, a move scientists say will cripple their ability to know what's happening in the ocean, as a record breaking El Nino is expected to hit the region this summer.

The Ship Report, Thursday, June 11, 2026Today we'll take a look at our glorious weather forecast with a caveat: the water in the ocean and our rivers is about as cold as cold tap water. Try it. Too cold for swimming really, but more to the point: just right for hypothermia and cold water shock.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, June 10, 2026Today we'll talk about a wonderful worldwide network, called AMVER(Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue), originally created by the US Coast Guard.AMVER brings together ships at sea and mariners in trouble way off shore, making far-flung rescues possible that coastal response agencies worldwide would not have the resources to handle.In this case, a man on a small boat 500 miles off the coast of Oregon was rescued by a cruise ship, a participant in the AMVER system.

The Ship Report, Tuesday, June 9, 2026Today we'll talk about (and hear) some of the most familiar things we experience here on the river: rain, ships and fog horns.

The Ship Report, Monday, June 8, 2026Today we'll talk about the Rose Festival Fleet ships leaving the seawall in Portland, where they spent the weekend giving tours to visitors. They are the US Navy destroyer USS Chafee, and the Canadian Navy ship the HMCS Max Bernays.They'll depart along with another military ship, the USNS Watkins, which has been in Astoria the past few days.We'll also talk about the weather conditions these ships will encounter when they leave the river, and why marine weather forecasts are so important.

The Ship Report, Thursday, June 4, 2026Fleet Week Thursday: Tours begin on Rose Festival Ships in PortlandOne final wrap up today on the Rose Festival Fleet which begins tours today in Portland.Ships are located on the seawall in Tom McCall Park, 10-4. Get there early because tours end promptly at 4 and if you are waiting on land at 4 you may not get in. And I also wanted to share again that I learned some updated information yesterday from the Rose Festival Website that indicates that you need Real ID to board for a tour. Here's what it says on the Fleet Week page: “When arriving for public tours, all visitors will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant government-issued photo identification (see approved identification list below), and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. A temporary form of ID is not an acceptable form of identification.”For all the current information about Fleet Week events, go to the festival website at rosefestival.org, and click on the Fleet Week link at the top of the homepage.On Monday depending on what time they depart, we could see the USS Chafee and the HMCS Max Bernays heading downriver, I'll keep you posted on that on Monday's show and also any updates on the Ship Report Facebook and Substack pages.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, June 3, 2026Fleet Week Wednesday – Rose Festival Fleet Week ships arrive in PortlandAll of the ships arriving from offshore heading to Portland are now in the River. Today we will look at the ships that will be in Portland this weekend for the Rose Festival. We'll also talk about what happens when visiting ships arrive in Portland, and how they are greeted, with open drawbridges and a fire boat ceremonial display.Ship tours are happening Thursday through Sunday, 10-4, at Tom McCall Park on the Willamette River. Get there early because tours end promptly at 4.An update on what you'll need to board: The Fleet Week page now specifies this: “When arriving for public tours, all visitors will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant government-issued photo identification (see approved identification list below), and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. A temporary form of ID is not an acceptable form of identification.”See the Fleet Week page on the rose festival website to see the list of documents that are considered acceptable ID. https://www.rosefestival.org/events/2026/fleetweek

The Ship Report, Tuesday, June 2, 2026Fleet Week TuesdayShips are starting to arrive in the river for the Portland Rose Festival; they're the part of the festival referred to as Fleet Week. I'll be tracking the ships as they arrive and sharing that information here. Today two ships head upriver: the Canadian Navy ship the HMCS Max Bernays passed Astoria inbound this morning to Portland and will be in Portland by early afternoon, and around 7:30am the USS Chafee leaves the Port of Astoria headed for Portland.Both ships will be on the Seawall at Tom McCall Park in Portland, open for tours starting later this week. For more info, see https://www.rosefestival.org/events/2026/fleetweekAlso, the USNS Watkins, a Military Sealift Command vehicle carrier, should be at the Port of Astoria this afternoon around 2:30 pm. She left the river yesterday after departing from Vancouver, but will be back today at the port here in town.

The Ship Report, Monday, June 1, 2026It's Rose Festival Fleet week on the ColumbiaThis week we'll begin seeing ships arriving to head to Portland for the Rose Festival as part of the Festival Fleet.One ship is already in town on Astoria: the USS Chafee, a Navy destroyer, which will head to Portland around midnight tonight. I'll announce other ships as they appear on the schedule and include them in the ship schedule I publish during the week.You can tour ships in Portland this weekend. For more info see the Festival Website and click on the Fleet page: rosefestival.org

Thursday, May 28, 2026We see a lot of the same kinds of ships here, going to a set series of places. Today we'll talk about the different kinds of ships, and ports, we see here locally, and the inland water highway that makes much of our commerce possible.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026Astoria honors lost mariners in annual waterfront memorial day ceremonyToday we'll take a look at a memorial day commemoration that happened here in Astoria on Monday. This event has, in fact, happened each year, for many years.Family and friends gather on the banks of the Columbia for the annual Uniontown Association Maritime Memorial Day Ceremony. It happens on Memorial Day each year at 3 pm, rain or shine.The ceremony takes place at the Maritime Memorial, located on Bay Street, under the Astoria Megler Bridge. I attended this year, and I'll share some sound from the event, and my impressions of what I saw and heard.

A look at an unusual vessel anchored off Astoria, and strong ebb tides this weekOn Tuesday some observant folks noticed an unusual ship in Astoria's anchorage - a car carrier. Such ships usually pass us by on their way to Portland or Vancouver, but this one experienced engine problems outbound and had to stop in Astoria's anchorage.We'll talk about why an outbound stopover like this doesn't happen often, and why, when it does, it's a complex feat to accomplish safely.We'll also talk about strong ebb tides this week, and why mariners will be watching this closely.

Sailboat racing on the ColumbiaToday we'll take a look at ship traffic and weather, and also at a seasonal tradition that started again this year a few weeks ago: sailboat racing on the Columbia River off Astoria and Hammond. Every Tuesday night through the summer, through the Astoria Yacht Club.

A deeper look at a familiar subject: maritime pilotsI talk a lot in general about maritime pilots on the show: they are so central to everything that happens with ships in the river.But what we see off Astoria is just a snapshot of a much larger picture.Today we'll talk about pilots on ships, from outside the river in the ocean, passing Astoria where we often see them, to upriver in port. It's a complex process involving multiple pilots, each one an expert at the top of their profession.

The Pacific NW Offshore race beginsThis morning, 50 boats will set off from the mouth of the Columbia River headed for Victoria, BC, participating in the 50th annual Pacific NW Offshore race. These are racing and cruising sailboats approximately 30 to 40 feet long (some larger). They'll spend a couple of days at sea in windy, rainy conditions.We'll take a look at what's in store for racers, and also how you can track their progress.

PNW Offshore Race starts Thursday, open house in Ilwaco todayToday from 11 to 2, you can stop by the Port of Ilwaco and see some of the 50 sailboats getting ready for the 50th annual PNW Offshore Race from the Columbia River to Victoria BC.Also, two interesting military ships arrive in the river today, headed for the Portland shipyard.

Ships can be a noisy environment for marinersToday we'll talk about workplace noise on ships and other commercial vessels. Noise and vibration are occupational hazards for people working aboard. We'll talk about the risks, and what mariners do to protect themselves.

As our spring weather forecast evolves, a look ahead at La Nino and El Nino in the PacificAccording to UW meteorologist Cliff Mass, we have some rain coming our way this week and later in the month. It's a sign of a switch from La Nina to El Nino conditions in the Pacific. Today we'll take a look at what these two climate terms mean.

June Gloom comes a bit early this yearToday we'll take a look at a regular but not always welcome Pacific Northwest springtime phenomenon: The pervasive “June Gloom,” when that cool hazy marine layer shows up, and stays.So our weather is cool but not cold, not really sunny (but sometimes kind of sunny) but not raining either. It's what happens this time of year.Meteorologists call it June Gloom, and this year it showed up a bit early.

A bit about fog (and fog horns), a signature sight (and sound) of maritime communitiesWe hear fog horns quite often in the waters near Astoria and elsewhere on the river. Today we'll talk about why they are necessary, legally required and a signature feature of maritime communities.

Another look at the deceptive conundrum of cold water and safetyWe live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its beauty rivals any resort on the planet. On a sunny day, it's paradise. So why all the warnings about staying out of the water even in summer?Today we'll explore (in a little more depth) the topic of cold water dangers in the Pacific Northwest, and why the water never really warms up here.

Pilot basics: a look at maritime pilots on the riverFor new folks in town, or listeners new to the show, here's a basic look at what's going on out there on the river off Astoria in terms of maritime pilots: those seasoned, expert professionals who help transiting ships get safely in and out of the river.We have two different sets of pilots here, and we'll talk about what they do, and how (if you are observant) you can see them at work.

The lives of shipsWhen you see a ship passing on the river, whether inbound or outbound, what you are seeing is a brief snapshot in the long life of that vessel, and the lives of the folks on board. Today we'll talk about the lives of ships.

Tides: how they're measured and why they happenTides play such a big role in our waters both on the ocean and the river. It's good to revisit some things about them from time to time: like why they happen, how they are measured, and how they can complicate things for folks out on the river in vessels, but make things more fun for clammers.

Cool spring conditions remind us of cold water dangersA reminder that we live in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful place with cold waters and strong currents year round. As the weather gets nice, let's keep in mind that our waters remain chilly and life threatening for the unprepared.

A look at how ships load and balance cargo, and why it's so importantCargo is loaded onto ships very deliberately and with a lot of calculation and forethought. Part of the reason is to anticipate how that cargo must be unloaded and in what order, at the dock.But even more important, imbalanced cargo can lead to tragedy and loss at sea, and even right at the dock.

Polar Star returns from AntarcticaI always like talking about this ship, because of her unique job and the role she plays in keeping people safe in a challenging part of the world.The USCG icebreaker Polar Star is a ship specially designed to handle difficult conditions that would sink most vessels. She's an older ship, but well maintained, and she just returned from a special annual mission in Antarctica.

Weather and some ship talkToday we talk about the weather - always a fascinating topic in our coastal region. And some interesting details about today's arriving ships.

Norwegian Jade in town, and a look at tides and shipsA few things today: a closer look at our cruise ship du jour in Astoria, a look at ships coming and going, and a reminder of how ships at anchor let us know what the tide is doing.

Second cruise ship of the season comes to Astoria ThursdayThe second cruise ship of the season comes to Astoria on Thursday, and it's a good opportunity to talk more about these big ships, carrying many passengers, and what Astoria will see here as we move through the season.Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: Abxbay, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons