The Ship Report

The present and future of ship emissions Sharp-eyed ship watchers concerned about pollution noticed a ship traveling in the river yesterday, emitting what looked like smoke from its stack. As it turns out, seeing that was good news, since it shows the ship has an emissions scrubber on board, and what folks saw was mostly steam. But that sighting opens the door to talk about recent international re...

Dredging on the Columbia, and a new beneficial use for dredge spoils Today the answer to a listener question about dredging on the Columbia River, and a look at new beneficial use for dredge spoils: the many tons of sediment vacuumed off the river bottom annually.

The rhyme and reason of ship names Today we'll talk about a ship in the Astoria Anchorage that's garnered some attention lately because of her name: the bulk carrier Kobayashi Maru is out there waiting to go upriver and pick up her cargo. That's prompted shipwatchers locally to wonder whether she was named by a zealous Star Trek fan, or whether her name is simply a charming term of end...

Abandoned ships and crews: a global problem Today, a listener question about a dilapidated looking ship in the Astoria Anchorage. Does a ship's appearance signal problems on board? Possibly, but not necessarily. She could just need a good paint job. The ocean is hard on ships. However, the question speaks to what's become a global issue: ships being abandoned by their owners with crew on b...

How global shipping troubles affect us all Today we'll take a look at how and why recent shipping troubles at the Suez Canal and Panama canals affect us all. Ships now must use alternate strategies to get around two of the most vital waterways in the world, and the effect could be higher inflation and increased costs for consumers.

Of car carriers and ballast water Today, a listener question about car carriers and ballast water. We'll talk about how automated systems work on modern ships and how a computer malfunction can lead to dangerous ballast water problems that can trigger an emergency.

Running aground: how it can happen and what ships do about it Today, a question about ships on the Columbia running aground: why it sometimes happens and what ships do about it. It's not a common occurrence but when it happens, it's a maritime emergency, and pilots and crews take swift action to get things under control.

Short turnaround time for some ships A ship arrives one day on the rive and leaves in less than 24 hours. It's an example of the fast-paced world of cargo handling, which can leave car and container ship crews hard-pressed with little chance to rest before heading back out into the wintry Pacific.

Familiar cruise ship will no longer visit Astoria as company folds Residents and visitors to Astoria may remember the big red and white paddlewheel cruise ship, the American Empress, that used to dock at the 17th Street dock by the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The company that owns her, American Queen Voyages, has ceased operations, and that ship will no longer be a familiar sight in Astoria du...

Columbia River Locks close for annual maintenance this week Today we'll talk about an annual event that began this week: it's the annual, temporary closing of the US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District locks at the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams. Each year the locks close for two weeks to allow technicians to inspect them and repair and maintain the equipment. It's an e...

Portland's quite nautical Tilikum Crossing bridge, and more about Chinese manufactured GM cars coming into Portland A little additional info regarding yesterday's show about Chinese-built GM autos being imported into Portland, and a look at the Tilikum Crossing, an unusual Portland bridge that has unique nautical features.

Chinese car carriers arriving in Portland: what's on board? Today, an answer to a listener question about car carriers arriving in Portland from China: are there Chinese cars on board? Turns out the answer is complex: yes and no. No Chinese brands are on board, but there are GM cars arriving here, which were manufactured in China. We'll also talk about some of the issues around potentially...

Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 5 This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at in interview with a USCG rescue swimmer. One of the most interesting interviews I have ever done in the 20+ years I have done this show.

Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 4 This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at in interview with a USCG rescue swimmer. One of the most interesting interviews I have ever done in the 20+ years I have done this show.

Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 3 This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at in interview with a USCG rescue swimmer. One of the most interesting interviews I have ever done in the 20+ years I have done this show.

Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 2 This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at in interview with a USCG rescue swimmer. One of the most interesting interviews I have ever done in the 20+ years I have done this show.

Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 1 This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at in interview with a USCG rescue swimmer. One of the most interesting interviews I have ever done in the 20+ years I have done this show.

Fisher Poets Remembered: Harrison "Smitty" Smith Today, again, we honor past Fisher Poet greats. Harrison "Smitty" Smith was a Fisher Poet Gathering icon who was a performer at the very first gathering in 1998. He died in 2012 at the age of 86, but his wonderful work lives on.

Fisher Poets remembered: Jon Campbell Today and tomorrow, we'll take a look at some great past artists of Fisher Poet fame, as the annual Fisher Poets Gathering approaches, happening this weekend in Astoria. Today we honor Jon Campbell of Rhode Island, one of the very best to ever grace the stage.

Today's ship schedule A  look at today's ship schedule - the comings and goings on the river.

The Desdemona Sands lighthouse: a bit of lower Columbia history Today, in answer to a listener question, we take a look at the long and illustrious history of lighted navigational aids and rescue stations on the lower Columbia between Astoria and the ocean. In particular, we'll delve into the history of the once proud (and quite useful) Desdemona Sands Lighthouse, which stood on pilings in the...

A look at today's ship schedule Today, to round out the week, we'll take a look at today's ship schedule, and talk a little about the cargo ship, the Manila Trader, that is still at the Port of Astoria for repairs.

Latest on Oregon Offshore Wind Projects The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, BOEM, released the latest info this week on the proposed floating offshore wind energy projects slated for southern Oregon coastal waters. Even after a lengthy public comment period last fall, stakeholders like tribes and commercial fishermen still say they aren't being heard. A 30-day public comment period opens th...

But wait, there's more!... Part 3 of A Bit about Tugboats... A timely listener question led me into another interesting line of thought about tugboats and how they control their barges, and so... I bring you: A Bit about Tugboats on the Ship Report, Part 3...

A Bit about Tugboats, Part 2 Yesterday we started talking about tugboats, and there was so much to say that I decided to to do a second episode. Tugboats are the maritime essence of the saying, "big things in small packages." Today, among other things, a story about how tugs helped a big ship dock safely in heavy current in a port in British Columbia. Today we'll hear Part 2 of &quot...