Explore every episode of the podcast The Ship Report

Special Ship Report archive interview: all about car ships - Part 5

This week we'll be talking about those unusual looking ships we see on the river, the big blocky carships, called ROROs, for Roll-on/Roll-off. They bring us our cars, and they're complex vessels. We'll talk with a bar pilot about what they're like inside and what it takes to pilot one.

Special Ship Report archive interview: all about car ships - Part 4

This week we're talking about those unusual looking ships we see on the river, the big blocky carships, called ROROs, for Roll-on/Roll-off. They bring us our cars, and they're complex vessels. We'll talk with a bar pilot about what they're like inside and what it takes to pilot one.

Special Ship Report archive interview: all about car ships - Part 3

This week we're talking about those unusual looking ships we see on the river, the big blocky carships, called ROROs, for Roll-on/Roll-off. They bring us our cars and their complex vessels. We'll talk with a bar pilot about what they're like inside and what it takes to pilot one.

Special Ship Report archive interview: all about car ships - Part 2

This week we'll be talking about those unusual looking ships we see on the river, the big blocky carships, called ROROs, for Roll-on/Roll-off. They bring us our cars, and they're complex vessels. We'll talk with a bar pilot about what they're like inside and what it takes to pilot one.

Special Ship Report archive interview: all about car ships - Part 1

This week we'll be talking about those unusual looking ships we see on the river, the big blocky carships, called ROROs, for Roll-on/Roll-off. They bring us our cars, and they're complex vessels. We'll talk with a bar pilot about what they're like inside and what it takes to pilot one.

A new anchorage on the river, and some time away from the showToday we'll talk about a little bit of everything: a new anchorage on the river, today's ship traffic, and why I'll be taking a little time away from the show next week (you'll hear a great archive interview series) to tend to some medical needs.

Pilot Boats

Today, a look at a new pilot boat folks are seeing on the waterfront in Astoria, and a bit about pilot boats in general: they're a specialized boat built for a particular, demanding task.

Stabilizing cargo at seaWe'll talk about today's ships, including one that has a cargo that must be securely lashed down. We'll talk about how ships keep cargo in place as they bounce around at sea.

Ships, grain and rain - why it can take longer to load wheat in the PNW

Today we'll talk about the many grain ships that are currently on the river, and why it can take longer to load them than other kinds of ships, especially in the rainy PNW.

Who's on the river today?

A look at today's ship traffic, including a Jones Act tanker carrying cargo between US domestic ports.

What causes wind to come from one direction or another?

Today we'll look at the marine weather forecast and talk a little about wind. Why does the wind come from the west, or some other direction? And a look at ship traffic.

Who's on the river today?

Today we'll take a look at ship traffic, and at how the Columbia remains what it has historically been when it comes to cargo: an big export region for raw materials.

A look at wind, waves and ships

We'll look at ships on the river today, and also talk about the relationship between wind and waves.

A look at who's on the river, and ship paint and colors

Today we'll take a look at ship traffic and talk a little about the fairly standard color scheme you see on the bulk carriers that anchor here.

How local shipping gets back to normal after bad weather on the bar

We've had some interesting weather this week, including a thunderstorm warning that didn't quite materialize. But along with that storm came bad weather at sea, so difficult that the Columbia River Bar was on red status for the past day or so. That means ship traffic has been halted going in and out of the river temporarily, until sea conditions improve.

Ships will starting moving again today, and that creates some interesting patterns relating to ship transits, in the aftermath of bad weather. So we'll talk about that today.

Stormy weather continues offshore

We got through our odd and threatening forecast yesterday, but while things have calmed down on land, they remain turbulent in the ocean offshore.

With spring break upon us, beware spring runoff in the river

It's spring break and folks will be out enjoying the river. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the Columbia and related waterways, and that includes spring runoff and all it brings: cold water, fast currents and dangerous debris in the river.

A look at today's ship schedule

We'll take a look at who's coming and going on the river today, and at some of the patterns we see in ships that come here often.

NTSB Report recommends local bridges be included in national safety inspections

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as part of its investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore a year ago, is recommending that 68 bridges nationwide be evaluated to determine their hardiness in case of a ship strike. The Baltimore bridge was hit by a 1000 foot long container ship and collapsed.

On the list are three local bridges: the Astoria Megler Bridge, the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview, and the St Johns Bridge in Portland.

The NTSB recommendations are purely precautionary and not based on existing safety concerns. The NTSB believes that had the Baltimore bridge been inspected as they are recommending now, that tragedy could have been avoided.

The NTSB has compiled a list of bridges nationwide in need of assessment, based on criteria such as age, clearance, and whether they have support piers in the water.

The first day of Spring is here

Today we'll talk about the vernal equinox, the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Did you know that the sun rises exactly in the east today and sets precidely in the west? We'll talk about this and other interesting fact about the first day of spring.

Water depth, and the complexity of rivers

At high tide the river off Astoria seems like a wide uninterrupted expanse of river. At low tide, mudflats abound. Today we'll talk about the complexity of rivers and why they pose challenges for vessels.

A bit about hail - a startling weather phenomenon that's been happening lately

We've been seeing abrupt, short lived hail storms lately. So today we'll take a look at what causes hail and other related solid precipitation.

A really big wave offshore, and a look at the concept of significant wave height

We recently saw a 63-foot wave off the mouth of the river in the ocean, recorded by a data buoy offshore. While this is a big wave for us, it's also within the parameters of a set of wave parameters called "significant wave height."

A bit of weather coming in, and possible effects on the bar

We've got a bit of stormy weather coming in, and so a good time to answer a listener question about the Columbia River Bar, and how ship traffic is affected by weather.

USNS Matthew Perry arrives in the river this morning

Today we have a Military Sealift Command cargo ship headed to Portland to the shipyard at Swan Island for repairs and maintenance. We'll learn a little today about this interesting military vessel.

Lots of anchored ships today

Today we have an abundance of anchored ships on the river, so many that a couple are waiting offshore. We'll talk about how that can happen.

Who's on the river today?

A look at today's ship traffic on the Columbia.

The Polar Star and Operation Deep Freeze

Each year the USCG heavy icebreaker Polar Star heads to Antarctica to spend the Northern Hemisphere winter opening a channel through the ice during the Antarctic summer.

The ship has just completed her mission and is heading home to Seattle. We'll talk about why this unique ship was there, and why her mission is so important.

What's happening in the anchorage?

The Astoria Anchorage is an interesting place, with lots going on out there on the water.

Today we'll take a look at some of the common but interesting things you might see if you're out on the Riverwalk or driving through town.

Whether it be vessels or aircraft, a cargo ship or the US Coast Guard, what you're seeing are carefully planned maneuvers involving skilled professionals, and often talented young people learning the ropes of maritime work.

Who's on the river today?

A look at today's ship schedule.

The Columbia River Ship Channel

Today, a look at another largely unseen but very important aspect of maritime travel on the river: the Columbia River Ship Channel.

A valuable coastal resource we use every day that you might not realize

Today, we'll take a look at a valuable coastal resource we use every day and probably don't realize it: NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Another one of those unseen but vital facets of life on the coast.

Weather, anyone? That forecast came from NOAA.

Who's on the river today?

Let's take a look at who's plying the waters of the Columbia today.

Archive week on the Ship Report: Rescue Swimmer, Part 5

Part 5 of this week's interview with a USCG rescue swimmer.

Archive week on the Ship Report: Rescue Swimmer, Part 3

Part 4 of this week's interview with a USCG rescue swimmer.

Archive week on the Ship Report, Part 3

Part three of this week's interiew with a USCG rescue swimmer.

Archive week on the Ship Report

Part 2 of this week's interview with a USCG rescue swimmer.

Archive week on the Ship Report: Interview with a rescue swimmer, Part 1

This week I'm taking a little time off, and am sharing one of my favorite interviews: one I did in the early 2000s with a USCG rescue swimmer, an incredibly dangerous and demanding profession. These intrepid folks risk their lives on a regular basis to keep us safe.

Each day this week we'll hear another part of this interesting interview, which took place at the USCG Group/Air Station Astoria, located at the Astoria Warrenton Airport. Enjoy, and I'll see you next week.

The Fisher Poets Gathering: remembering those now gone

Today, to celebrate the opening of the annual Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon, we honor Fisher Poets who are no longer with us.

We'll hear a song from Fisher Poet great Jon Campbell, who passed a few years ago. Jon was a prolific and creative songwriter and performer who hailed from Rhode Island, and his performances were unforgettable.

You can hear more of the works of Jon Campbell and other, living, Fisher Poets, at this weekend's Annual Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon. Performances are are happening Friday through Sunday morning.  For more info, see fisherpoets.org.

If you can't attend, KMUN radio in Astoria will livestream the Gathering from 6-10 pm Friday and Saturday from the Liberty Theater in Astoria. You can tune into KMUN locally at 91.9 fm, or livestream it at kmun.org, or download the KMUN app. I'll be your host both nights.

For a live videostream of FPG performances at the Liberty on Friday and Saturday nights, check out the FisherPoetry Archive Project's live videostream, courtesy of FPAP founder Brad Wartman. You'll find that on the FisherPoetry Archive YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefisherpoetryarchive

Fisher Poets Gathering Spotlight: Tele Aadsen

As this weekend's annual Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon, approaches, we'll take a look today at a PNW author who's been a regular at the event for years: Tele Aadsen.

Tele published her first book in 2023, called "What Water Holds," and today we'll hear a reading from it.

Plus, how you can get more info about the Gathering, and how to listen live if you can't be there.

The Gathering begins Friday, with events on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Annual Columbia River dam and lock maintenance begins in March

The Columbia River has dams and locks inland from Vancouver, and billions in commerce pass though those locks each year by tug and barge. After all that wear and tear, the Army Corps of Engineers schedules yearly maintenance periods during which locks are closed and all equipment is inspected, repaired and maintained. It's part of the essential workings of a river system that is a huge economic engine for the region. We're coming up on one of those annual two week periods in March.

The Fisher Poets Gathering approaches

Today we'll talk a little about the annual Fisher Poets Gethering happening this coming weekend in Astoria. And a look at today's ship traffic.

A look at the people in port who make ship transits and port stays happen

We've been talking this week on the show about People on the ships we see. So far we've talked about the people on board. Today we'll talk about an important additional piece of things: the portside army of professionals who make it possible for ships to arrive, handle cargo, and depart - in as smooth and efficient a manner as possible.

Food: an essential ingredient to a happy life on board ship

Today, continuing this week's theme of People on board ship, we'll talk about food. Fresh, well-prepared meals are essential to crew morale. Without a good meal after a hard work shift, sailors can get pretty discouraged as they labor for months without much time off. So wise captains make sure food on board is good and plentiful.

Life at Sea

his week's theme on the Ship Report is People: the people on the ships we see passing by each day. Today we'll talk about what it's like at sea on board a cargo ship - what people do when they are at work and when they are off work, and what the rhythm of life is like on board.

The Engineering Department: a vital, often unseen workforce on any ship

A critical and ofen unseen workforce on any ship is its below decks engineering department. These hardworking, highly skilled folks keep all the essential systems running on board the ship, ensuring that the captain and the rest of the deck department folks can handle the job of getting the vessel from one place to another, and handling its cargo.

Who's on board?

This week's theme is People - the people who work on board and those who interact with the ships while they're on the river. The maritime world is full of people, and we hardly ever see them. Today we'll talk a bit about the crews on the ships.

The Columbia River: a salt water wedge estuary

Today we continue our series about the Columbia River. Today's topic: the fact that our lower river is called a "salt water wedge estuary." We'll talk about what that means, and why marine pilots consider it one of the river's many quirks that they need to take into account with regard to ships.

More about the Columbia: Its massive riverflow packs a big punch

This week we're talking about the Columbia River, and focusing on a different aspect of the river each day. Today we'll talk about all that water that flows by our doorsteps every day. We'll do a few comparisons that may help you understand how massive and formidable the river truly is, and why it should be treated with great respect at all times.

A brief history of the Columbia River

Today I thought we might start a weeklong look at the Columbia River starting today with a brief overview of river history.