The Ship Report

A look at Alaska's recent coastal weather disasterLast 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.

A look at the ship schedule, the weather and the origin of the term "ides" on this, the Ides of OctoberIn 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.

Interesting ships on the river TuesdayWhile 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 containership (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.

A look at transit times - how long takes to get from one place to another by shipToday 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 pilot boat Peacock, now a museum exhibit, was a real game changer for Columbia River commerceThis 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.

A look at who's on the river todayWe've got an abundant ship schedule today, so let's see who's on the river today, moving cargo or waiting their turn.

Listener question about marine pilots and how they board shipsI 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.

A blue water cruise ship heads downriver after a stint in PortlandToday 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.

A look at our eccentric regional weatherToday we'll take a look at this week's storm, which brought stormy conditions some places around the region, but missed others.

Update on the weatherWell, 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."

Weather comin' in, as we bid farewell to SeptemberWe 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 storm.

Big changes to the Ship Report this weekBig 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 Polar Star is home from Antarctica, a sign of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in AntarcticaWe see many signs of fall in the Pacific Northwest, as cruise ships head south. One beloved ship, the icebreaker USCGC Polar Star, heads north to Seattle to prepare for another round of her annual mission: Operation Deep Freeze, where she breaks a navigable channel through pack ice to open McMurdo station to the world, which means access to supplies and fuel.

Who's on the river today?A look at today's ship traffic, and a change in the weather coming this weekend.

On any given day, there's a lot going on upriver with vessels that downriver folk don't seeThe Columbia River is a busy water highway, with lots of vessels working, many of them upriver in places that folks near Astoria and even upriver in Portland and Vancouver, don't see. Today we'll talk about some of what happens as vessels do their work upriver.

The research vessel Atlantis is at the Port of AstoriaOne of my favorite ships is here in town: the research vessel Atlantis. She's owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, located on Cape Cod. She's been doing research on underwater volcanoes in the Pacific in recent years. She comes into Astoria occasionally to change crews, pick up supplies, etc.She's a superstar of a ship, she's been the subject of many documentaries about her and her famous submersible, the Alvin. We'll talk about the ship and about times I have been fortunate to go aboard.

Cruise ship pollution and beyond - a look at effluent treatment and handling, at sea and on land.A listener raised an issue about cruise ships and the pollution they create, so I thought I'd explore that topic today. As I was gathering info, I started looking at how sewage is treated both on land and at sea. Turns out, while wastewater treatment is a lifesaver, we are a planet filled with people, and that can be hard on our waterways, despite modern technology.

The Coastal Jet: an interesting weather phenomenon we could see here this weekendToday we'll talk more about the weather, which is in for a change this weekend, and about an unusual meteorological phenomenon we could see called the coastal jet that happens from time to time here. It causes winds along the coast to speed up, sometimes dramatically, while winds offshore can be much calmer.

Salt water wedge: a an interesting feature of the Columbia River estuaryToday we'll talk about one of the most fascinating aspects of the lower river: the presence of a massive salt water wedge that occurs when the tide is rising, as heavier salt water sinks beneath fresh river water.

New moons, tides, solar eclipses - all part of our cyclic natural worldThe next two weeks are packed with astronomical happenings: a new moon, a solar eclipse, and the autumnal equinox. We'll talk about them in the context of our natural maritime world, where life continues in habitual patterns that play out in tides, moon cycles and waning daylight at this time of year. And, our coastal weather, which continues to see cyclic changes as well.

Serenade of the Seas visits Astoria on a repositioning cruiseThis morning we'll see the Serenade of the Seas, a big, blue-water cruise ship that will be docked at the Port of Astoria all day. She's on her way back down south for the winter, having stopped here in May when she was headed north for a summer of cruises in the Puget Sound region and perhaps Alaska.Astoria's cruise ships are usually these repositioning cruises, which move ships between summer and winter cruising areas, with a stop in between to visit our city. There will be three more of these ships arriving here this fall, the last one in October. 

A bit about the weather, a solo sailor, ships and... a touch of pneumonia...Apologies for my absence from this platform last week. I was diagnosed with pneumonia a week ago Sunday, and this week has been spent getting enough strength back to sit at my computer. Glad to feel well enough for that!I was flat out on the couch last week, but I'm glad to be back, though I'm moving slowly. Looking forward to reclaiming my energy in the coming weeks.Today we'll talk a bit about the weather offshore locally, about a solo sailor out there braving it, and a look at some ships.Stay healthy!

More about ships and cargo on the river todayA snapshot of who's on the river today, and a bit about anomalies in the ship schedule, and a look at one cargo ship that's arriving today that isn't handling any cargo at all.

Who's on the river today?A look at today's ship schedule, with details about various about ships, protocols and cargo.

New pilot boat on the riverWe've got a new pilot boat operating on the Astoria waterfront these days. She's called the "Swift" and she's a new addition to the local fleet.Today we'll talk about her and also about pilot boats in general: a very unusual breed of vessel.

Meteorological fall, happening now in a hemisphere near youYesterday, September 1, marked the beginning of meteorological fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It's a great time of year to discuss the difference between the two falls: meteorological and astronomical.

From the Ship Report Archives: Running LightsA look back at an interview about ship running lights, the lights that we see at night on ships as they pass by or are anchored in the river.

From the Ship Report Archives: a look at car ships, Part 4This week I'm taking a break from the show and sharing a great interview with now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.He shares fascinating details about a type of ship that we often see on the Columbia.

From the Ship Report Archives: a look at car ships, Part 3This week I'm taking a break from the show and sharing a great interview with now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.He shares fascinating details about a type of ship that we often see on the Columbia.

From the Ship Report Archives: a look at car ships, Part 2This week I'm taking a break from the show and sharing a great interview with now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.He shares fascinating details about a type of ship that we often see on the Columbia.

From the Ship Report Archives: a look at car shipsThis week I'm taking a break from the show and sharing a great interview with now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.He shares fascinating details about a type of ship that we often see on the Columbia.

The Beaufort Wind ScaleAround this time of year, as fall winds make their presence known with the change of the seasons, it's a good time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: the Beaufort Wind Scale.It dates back to the 1800s but is still used today. You can use it to tell how hard the wind is blowing by looking at the effects on the environment around you, on land or sea.

Fall is in the airA look at marine weather today, and about how the distinct feeling of fall is in the air - a sign that some of our loveliest days of the year are still to come.

More about cargoToday we have a whole new set of ships with different cargoes on board, so another chance to talk in more depth about what they are carrying.

Who's on the river today and what cargoes are they carrying?Today we'll look at today's ship schedule with a twist: a look at the cargoes these ships are handling here. What they are, where they come from and how they fit into the chain of commerce on the mighty Columbia River.

Who's on the river today?A look at what ships are traveling on the river today, and a bit about ballast water, an important factor in ship transits.

A gem from the Ship Report archives: Interview with a rescue swimmerThere are heroes among us - and we usually don't see them. USCG rescue swimmers go out in terrible conditions at sea to save lives, as part of highly trained rescue helicopter crews.Today, from the Ship Report Archives, we'll hear an excerpt from a 2009 interview with a rescue swimmer at Air Station Astoria.

Lots of ships today anchored off AstoriaToday we'll see quite a few ships anchored off Astoria in the river, if they all arrive today. That will bring good shipwatching opportunities. We'll talk today about why ships anchor here.

What are those red patches in the river?I received a listener question about a seasonal phenomenon people are noticing in the lower river right now: patches of dull red in the water. What is it?Turns out it's not what many people think: it's NOT a dreaded toxic algae bloom.Instead it's a good thing: a bloom of beneficial phytoplankton that is helping restore oxygen to the water and reduce harmful acidity. We're seeing it more in recent years, and it's helping the river become a healthier place for living creatures like salmon.

Low water on the ColumbiaThe National Weather Service issued a low water warning for the Columbia this past weekend and today, as minus tides and seasonal low water levels make navigating the river more challenging.We'll talk today about why water levels can be lower at this time of year, and when they will improve.

Pat Dixon: maritime author interview about his new book of poetry, "Mending Holes," Part 5Today's episode concludes this week's interview series, where I've been sharing excerpts from my interview with Pat Dixon, fisher poet and author of the new book of poetry, Mending Holes.Many thanks to Brad Wartman of the FisherPoetry Archive Project for his help engineering and recording this interview on Zoom  You'll find Brad's extensive library of Fisher Poet Gathering and other maritime related recordings and podcasts on his website at TheFisherPoetryArchive.com. 

A chat with fisher poet Patrick Dixon, about writing, life and his new book of poems, Part 4We're continuing my interview with Pat Dixon, fisher poet and author of the new book of poetry, Mending Holes.Today, Pat and I will talk more about his creative process as an author, and about how the book got its name.

Interview with author and poet Patrick Dixon about his new book, "Mending Holes," Part 3Today we're continuing to hear parts of my interview with Fisher Poet and author Pat Dixon, who just published a book of poetry called Mending Holes, about his memories of life as a commercial fisherman. One of the topics I love to explore with people who make their way in the creative arts, is to ask them about their process: how do these magical works come to be, seemingly out of thin air. Every writer, poet, songwriter, for instance, seems to tap into that muse, that process, that creative spark,  in their own way. So today I'm talking with Pat about how he writes his poems.Many thanks to Brad Wartman of the FisherPoetry Archive Project for his help engineering and recording this interview on Zoom.  You'll find Brad's extensive library of Fisher Poet Gathering and other maritime related recordings and podcasts on his website at TheFisherPoetryArchive.com.

Interview with Pat Dixon, author of the new book of poetry: "Mending Holes," Part 2Today we continue my interview with fisher poet and author Pat Dixon about his new book, "Mending Holes," a collection of his poetry, all about his life as a commercial fisherman in the waters of Alaska. Today, Pat shares some poems from the book.

Author interview: Fisher Poet Patrick Dixon and his new book, "Mending Holes"This week I'll be talking with Fisher Poet Pat Dixon about his life as a commercial fisherman, author, photographer and educator, and about his new book of poetry, "Mending Holes." 

An interview with Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Dan Jordan, as the Buoy 10 fishery beginsToday begins one of the most anticipated annual fishing events in the region: the Buoy 10 recreational fishery on the Columbia River.Hundreds of boats will dot the river this month, filled with eager folks hoping to catch salmon, and that can spell trouble when small boats get too close to giant ships.Today I'll talk with Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Dan Jordan, about how to stay safe during Buoy 10.

Listener questions about tsunamisA few listener questions today regarding this week's tsunami, caused by an earthquake in the ocean to the north of us.And a few key takeaways:Consider this a dry runDon't get complacentIf you feel an earthquake here, don't wait for someone to tell you it's an emergency – head for high ground as fast as you can. You may only have 20 minutes before a damaging tsunami hits.

A ship horn signal that could be heard more often on the river in AugustYesterday I heard a ship do its five-blast warning signal on the river, letting a sailboat know of its presence and cautioning it to stay out of the ship's path.This is a standard horn signal that ships and boats use when they see a potential issue developing and want to head off any possible problems with a nearby vessel.With Buoy 10 fishing season approaching, it's a signal we land-dwellers who live near the river may hear more often in August.

How old fashioned navigation methods can still save the day when modern aids can'tLast week, global internet service provider Starlink experienced a service outage for over two hours, causing difficulties for lots of remote users, including ships and boats, especially those far from land.While electronics are great, it's also a good idea to have some old fashioned navigation equipment and skills up your sleeve to enable you to carry on safely until outages are fixed.

US carrier Matson says no to electric vehicles, citing lithium ion battery riskThe US ocean carrier Matson has decided to no longer ship electric vehicles, because of the increasing frequency of what analysts believe are lithium ion battery caused fires on car ships. Despite newer industry recommendations designed to make ships safer, these fires remain a deadly, and usually in practice, uncontrollable hazard on board.

Who's on the river today?We've been talking about other things this week so far. Let's take a look today at our ship schedule.