The Ship Report

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 ...

7 Touko 9min

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 th...

6 Touko 8min

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 ...

5 Touko 9min

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 ...

5 Touko 9min

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. T...

30 Huhti 9min

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 ha...

29 Huhti 9min

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...

28 Huhti 9min

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...

27 Huhti 8min