The Ship Report

The Mercy arrives Thursday morningNote: I'm posting this the night before (Wednesday evening even though it's Thursday's podcast), so that early birds can have the info about seeing the Mercy pass by on the river Thursday morning.Well, our much anticipated ship, the US Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy, will cross the Columbia River Bar into the river early Thursday morning around 6 am, passing Astoria inbound around 7:30 am. She's headed to the shipyard in Portland for maintenance and repairs.Look for her at upriver locations as she travels. by using marinetraffic or vesselfinder to track her progress.

A look at the US Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy, arriving in the river Thursday morningA look at the USNS Mercy, the US Navy hospital ship that is arriving on the Columbia early Thursday morning. She's headed for the Swan Island shipyard in Portland for maintenance and repairs.

How ships make their way in the darkToday I'll answer a listener question about why ships seem to have so few lights on, on the exterior of the ship, when they are traveling at night.There are two main reasons: preserving night vision for the crew on the bridge so they can see what's out there, as much as possible, in diminished visibility.Also, ships have designated, legally mandated running lights in a specific configuration that allows other vessels to know what they are looking at when they see it coming.Even with all the modern tech on board (GPS, ECDIS, radar, etc.) these simple, time-tested tools for ship navigation remain vital.

A look at weather and ships, as we shoulder another atmospheric riverA few basics about what happens at sea and on the river when the weather gets problematic for vessels. There can be delays - and when ships finally move again can depend on a complex mix of factors related to weather, sea state and tides.

How do ships choose what speed to travel in the river?This may seem like an obvious question (they slow down), but the answer is actually quite complex. Today we'll talk about ship speed in enclosed environments, about things like current and tides, and about some more obscure aspects of the physics of water that heavily affect ships in rivers.

Cold front could bring low land snow, galesWe're looking at an unusual cold weather event through today, with cold air coming down from Alaska. That could bring inland snow, and maybe some light snow/flurries to the coast.The marine weather forecast includes the potential for gale force winds.Overall it will be a wet week - a good thing for mitigating drought and fire risk later in the year.

Honoring Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tyler JaggersIn a tragic follow up to last Thursday's show, we'll talk about the passing of Tyler Jaggers, the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer who was gravely injured in a accident in Late February. The incident happened while Jaggers and his fellow helicopter crew members were attempting to rescue a stroke victim from a bulk carrier that was operating off the coast of Washington state. He passed away late last week.We honor him and all service members of the US Coast Guard, who take serious risks on behalf of the public to do their jobs. 

US Coast Guard rescue swimmer seriously injured in offshore accidentA US Coast Guard rescue swimmer was seriously injured in an accident during the course of a rescue mission last Friday.As of earlier this week, he was on life support in a British Columbia hospital.We'll talk about the important role rescue swimmers and all Coast Guard personnel play in keeping us safe in challenging conditions.

How winds spin in weather systemsI learned something interesting the other day - that winds spin differently in different kinds of weather systems. It has to do with the Coriolis Effect and air pressure. An interesting look at "how things work" in weather.

A look at what makes an outbound ship seem differentToday we'll look at the ship schedule and talk about why outbound ships can look so different you might think it's another kind of vessel altogether. Also, a look at tides and the moon - and a lunar eclipse.

Why you should never go between a tug and a barge at seaToday we'll do a quick debrief on this past weekend's 29th annual Fisher Poets Gathering, and then we`ll address an important maritime issue that can be a matter of life or death: why you should never get between a tug and its tow at sea, or on the river.

A look at life in the US Coast GuardToday we'll hear more from my interview with Len Tumbarello, who is currently the executive director of the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots.Earlier in his life, he spent 28 years in the US Coast Guard, a career he really loved. Today we'll talk about what a career in the Coast Guard can be like.

Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots - Part 3Today we hear Part 3 of my interview with Len Tumbarello, executive director of the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots. We're talking about pilot risk, which comes in many forms. Pilots are a lot like first responders, in that they have to be ready for the unexpected at all times and be ready to respond in a timely and effective manner, sometimes at great risk to themselves. It's a job that only a small number of people in the world ever qualify for, and are hired to do.

Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots - Part 2Today we continue listening to excerpts from an interview I did recently with Len Tumbarello, executive director of the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, the public body that oversees operations for the Columbia River Bar and River Pilot organizations, as well as maritime pilots in Coos Bar and Newport.

Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, Part 1I'll be away this week for a little time off, and I'll be featuring excerpts this week on the show from a recent interview I did with Len Tumbarello, executive director of the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots.We'll be taking a look at this vital organization and talking about a subset of the maritime industry that passes by our doors daily here on the Columbia River, but which most of us know little about - the specialized profession of being a maritime pilot, and how that profession is regulated by the state, for safety and commerce.

Snow in the forecast again through Thursday morningWe'll see what transpires... the forecast calls for snow above 500 feet. For coastal snow lovers, maybe some pretty flurries. Inland, expect some driving challenges in the morning.

A look at the forecast: more snow?Well, we had a tiny "snowpocalypse" in Astoria Monday and Tuesday - and by that I mean short periods of intense snow that were really cool and pretty (for those of us who love snow) but disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.Will there be more? We'll take a look at the forecast for the rest of the week.And some ships...

A bit of snow is possible...We're looking at the possibility of some snow between the coast and Portland later this week. Keep your eyes peeled and watch forecasts.And if you're razor clamming on the beach, bundle up and watch for sneaker waves.

The bulbous bow: an odd-looking, but very efficient, ship design featureThere's a unusual-looking ship design feature that's on pretty much all the ships that arrive here on the Columbia. When a ship is loaded, it's out of sight below the waterline, but on ships that are waiting for cargo, like in anchorages, you can sometimes see it.It's called the bulbous bow. It looks like a round or cylindrical protuberance sticking out in front of the ship at the front, below the waterline. Strange looking, yes, but it actually reduces drag, and improves ship efficiency and speed.

Gulls and updrafts: why these birds seem to love the Megler BridgeToday we'll talk a little about the movement of air, birds, and why the Astoria Megler Bridge is a great place to watch certain kinds of birds fairly close up, as they soar near the roadway. And why, according to birders, you really shouldn't refer to a gull as a "seagull."

Sneaker wave risk this week reminds us of cold water hazards at the beachWe'll have a sneaker wave beach hazard statement in effect later this week for our region, and it's a good opportunity to remind folks that sneaker wave risk is real, and potentially deadly.Even more so when the ocean water is so cold, as it is right now.

The plumb bow: an interesting design feature on newer shipsToday we'll talk about a familiar sight these days on the waterfront: a ship with a plumb or straight up and down bow. There are reasons for this design feature, and we'll talk about some of them.

The HOS Black Watch: high tech offshore supply vessel on the river todayToday we have an vessel on the river, one of a type that we don't see very often. She's the HOS Black Watch, one of a kind of vessel that's used in special projects worldwide.It's called an Offshore Supply Vessel - a jack of all trades craft that can assist with tricky offshore projects assisting oil rigs and other vessels with things they can't do alone. This compact ship has all the high tech bells and whistles, and a crew of experts on board.

Seafarer survey shows many sailors find life at sea stressfulA new study published in 2025 by World Maritime University, says "persistently long working hours, limited opportunities for rest and shore leave, and high levels of work-related stress" among sailors is a matter of serious concern in the maritime industry. The survey included about 4500 respondents across 99 countries, including the US. 

A long workday on the river heading to PortlandWhile we see ships pass by Astoria and other areas on the river, that's only a fraction of their workday when they cross the Columbia Rive Bar. A transit can take and entire standard workday - 8 hours - a long trip for crews who have already spend several weeks at sea to get here.

How ships fit into the global supply chain, and a look at who's on the river todayWe see ships coming and going every day, and while they are interesting to look at, they also represent an important part of the wider web of global trade, and are responsible for bring us goods we use in our every day lives. So, ships are truly meaningful to you and me, whether we realize it or not.

Rising sea heights could affect ship traffic on ThursdayWith rain, gales and elevated sea heights in the forecast, it's another interesting opportunity to talk about weather and how it affects ships crossing between the vast ocean and the turbulent river.

Big ship schedule today - let's talk about it!We have a sizeable ship schedule today and some interesting vessels arriving from far flung places.

Anchorage goings onWith so much photography happening of our local ships here in Astoria, people are noticing marine traffic more than ever before.It's a good time to take another look at "what's going on in the anchorage." As it turns out, a lot is happening out there, all of it fascinating.

Who's on the river today?A look at today's ship schedule, highlighting some particularly interesting ships on the river today. And, a look at our marine weather.

Northern lights, ship schedule, weather and a bit about ship namesToday we'll look at the unusual appearance of aurora borealis in our region, the extended weather forecast (when will we return to our typical rainy pattern?), a look at the schedule and a bit about ship names.

A look at ships and cargoToday let's take a look at who's on the river, but also review a bit of general info about the types of ships that come here, where they come from, and some significant differences between them.

Salt vs fresh water: how does water salinity affect sea conditions?Today we'll walk about an interesting but obscure topic for most land dwellers: how stormy sea conditions can vary between large bodies of fresh and salt water, like the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean. It's not something we usually think about on land, but mariners know it well. And a bit more about what local conditions make our region so hazardous.

Good weather coming our way, and a look at ships and cargoWe have what looks to be a week-long spell of sunshine or at least "not-raining" coming our way.We'll also take a look at ships and cargo, and how cargo determines the types of ships you see in a given region.

A foggy time on the lower Columbia RiverIt's been pretty foggy in parts of the lower Columbia region the past few days. Or not foggy at all, depending on where you are. It's part of a a larger pattern this week statewide of dense foggy conditions.We'll talk about what might be causing our fog here and what ships do under such conditions.

The USNS Grasp, a Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship, comes to PortlandWe're seeing unusual ships arriving in the river this week so far. Yesterday it was the USCGC Healy, the Coast Guard's biggest ship, headed to the Swan Island shipyard.Today it's the USNS Grasp, a highly specialized rescue and salvage ship, whose job it is to save people and ships when they get in trouble on the water.Image: the USNS Grasp, photo courtesy of US Navy photo gallery.

The USCGC Healy, US Coast Guard icebreaker and the agency's largest vessel, comes to the ColumbiaToday we'll see the USCGC Healy, a Coast Guard icebreaker and the agency's largest vessel, enters the river early this morning on her way to the Vigor shipyard in Portland for about 8 months of repairs and maintenance. She's an unusual vessel with some interesting history behind her name. 

The Columbia River Bar is on Red status, so what happens now?Yesterday the Columbia River Bar was on Red status, per the Columbia River Bar Pilots. It's the most severe restriction on ship traffic they can impose, and it means most, if not all, ships will be restricted from coming in or out of the river till the weather improves.We have a big potential ship schedule today, meaning lots of ships want to enter and leave the river. Today we'll talk about the effect a temporary, weather-related closure like this has on vessels, and what they do while they wait.

A look at how marine pilots decide which ships will cross the bar in challenging weatherWe've got another round of inclement weather coming in, and it's a good time to talk about how our marine pilots, who are in charge of assisting ships in and out of the river, decide when the weather is too difficult to allow ships to transit until things calm down. We'll talk about that today.

Who's on the river - and some weather comin' in, during which it will rain until it stopsNow that the fleeting festivities of New Years have faded away, let's turn our attention to the workhorse ships that continue to do their work despite holidays, weather and other distractions.Also, we'll look at the weather, which is worsening a bit again - and we'll talk about my favorite KMUN inclement weather forecast ever.

New Year's Eve Ship Horns in AstoriaHear Astoria's visiting ships ring in 2026 with the sonorous sounds of their horns at midnight on New Year's Eve on the Columbia River.

How many ships will be off Astoria on NY's Eve? And, a look at the Dungness crab fisheryTomorrow is New Year's Eve, and we'll hopefully hear some ship horns off the Astoria waterfront. Today, we'll also take a look at the Dungeness Crab Fishery, which kicked off in the local area this past weekend.

End of the year stuff: New Year's Eve ship horns, and - the Ship Report is now on SubstackI'm gearing up once more to record ship horns on the Astoria waterfront again this year, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve - an annual tradition I happily seek out.I'll share the recording with you on January 5th, when the Ship Report returns for the New Year. We never know what it will like: how many ships will be there, how many will choose to participate. So it's always a surprise. Let's hope for good sounds and let's send our good wishes to the mariners on those ships for a good year for them as well as for all of us.Also, the Ship Report is now on Substack, an easy place for you to go to see all that I create, and other info I share - whether it be podcasts, marine weather, ship schedules and more. Look for The Ship Report on Substack and you'll find my new page.

A new storm looms for the coast, and - Santa is saved by the US Coast GuardWell, weather watchers are tracking an approaching storm that might (or might not) bring damaging winds to our area. We'll see how that shakes out.And today we'll hear a Ship Report holiday tradition: "Coastal Christmas," a retelling of the story of The Night Before Christmas, coastal- style. It's a book written by Long Beach Peninsula author Lynette Rae McAdams, illustrated by local artist Sally Lackaff.In this updated telling of the age-old tale: Santa is saved by the US Coast Guard after his sleigh ends up in the water, essentially saving Christmas. And Santa gets to head home to the North Pole with Dungeness Crab for Mrs. Santa.Happy Christmas to all!

'T is the season, for Dungeness crab, that isToday we'll talk about the opening at the end of this month of the 2025-26 Dungeness crab fishery in our local area. And hear an excerpt from a 2016 interview I did with a commercial crabber. His name is John Corbin, and he'll tell us a bit about the process of catching and harvesting Dungeness.

More weather as our next atmospheric river arrives todayThe fire hose of rain is aimed south of us in Clatsop County this time, but meteorologists predict we are looking at about and inch and half  in Astoria, and 3 inches or more Tillamook and points south.The big deal right now is a matter of time, rain and its long term effect on soils. It's been raining for awhile now and we are seeing the effects of saturated soils on trees, roadbeds and power lines. I read an interesting piece about how the more soaked the ground gets, the less wind it takes to know down a tree. And we are seeing older roadbeds collapse and landslides claim land and dover roads. So be careful out there – things in the landscape may not be the way you last saw them when you next venture out.

Today, a real look at how weather can affect ship trafficWe've got some rowdy weather on the Columbia River Bar today and it may cause ships to be delayed until the weather's better. We'll take a look at how that sort of thing works and what you can expect.

Another round of atmospheric river conditions kicks in TuesdayWe seem to be in an atmospheric river phase at the moment: we'll talk about what to expect today from a maritime perspective.

Another atmospheric river today - let's look at what's nextWe'll be looking at more atmospheric river activity this week. We'll take a look at what to expect. The short answer: with already saturated soils in our region, be prepared for power outages, landslides and downed trees. We'll also take a look at today's ship schedule.

A look at crazy rainfall totals from our atmospheric river, and what's next...Today we'll take a look at some really crazy rainfall totals from this week's storm, and a look at what's next as next week unfolds. The short answer: more rain.

A break in the weather, but experts say there's more to come in this rainy DecemberWe haven't seen the last of atmospheric river activity this month, according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. We'll take a look at the long range forecast for what could shape up to be a very wet rest of December, and January.