The Ship Report

The Ship Report, Thursday, November 5, 2026

We've got an atmospheric river on the way - welcome to winter weather on the coast

We're look at an atmospheric river arriving over the next few days. How severe it will be - well, that depends. We'll keep an eye on the weather to see what develops.

Basically, it's a sign of winter on the coast.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, November 4, 2026

A look at today's ship schedule, including a ship that may look familiar to Astorians and other locals

We'll look at today's ship schedule, including an unusual vessel. This morning, an offshore supply vessel (OSV) called the Seaward Explorer will be arriving at the Port of Astoria.

She is a converted oil spill response vessel formerly owned by MSRC. These multi-purpose ships act in a support capacity to other vessels at sea, such as cable ships and oil rigs. 

Because she used to belong to MSRC, she may look familiar to Astorians and other local ship watchers, since we used to have one of this fleet of vessels stationed here for years, called the Oregon Responder, as a safeguard against oil spills. 

This vessel was formerly the California Responder, but she has that same characteristic look and hull color. It's not uncommon for ships to change owners, specialties and names. The Oregon Responder is now located in another state. 

(Photo courtesy of her current owner, Seaward Services.)

The Ship Report, Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Columbia River Maritime Museum dedicates a new exhibit honoring the US Coast Guard

Yesterday, the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria dedicated a new exhibit in their soon-to-be-open, brand new building, Mariners Hall, also called the Warnock Building. The exhibit is a retired 52-foot motor lifeboat, a type of rescue boat no longer made. The boat is called the Triumph II, and she replaced another boat called the Triumph that was tragically lost on the bar in 1961 during a harrowing rescue attempt that cost the lives of both rescuers and those in need of rescue. The loss of life in this event remains one of the worst tragedies in Pacific Northwest Coast Guard history, and highlights how dangerous rescue work in our corner of the world can be.

The museum honored those lost in the tragedy at a ceremony on the 17th street dock outside the museum. Then attendees were able to tour the new building.

The Ship Report: Monday, November 2, 2026

Why solo sailing requires emotional as well as physical endurance

Today we'll revisit the story of Oliver Widger, the Oregon man who is currently stuck in the Doldrums near the Equator, as he tries to sail around the world. The Doldrums is an area of the ocean near the Equator in both the Atlantic and Pacific that is prone to areas of no wind.

We'll talk about the negative emotional and physical consequences that calm conditions, where the boat is essentially just floating, can create for someone sailing alone for long periods. And about other sailors doing similar voyages to Oliver's who have found the Doldrums a harrowing game changer.

The Ship Report, Thursday, October 29. 2026

Ships are cool to look at, but why are they here? The short answer: cargo and the Columbia Snake River System

Today we'll look at the cargo end of things. It's the reason why ships are here. We'll also talk about tugs and barges, which are an essential part of our chain of  commerce on the river. They all operate on the federal waterway that is the Columbia Snake River System.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, October 28, 2026

The Doldrums: why Oliver Widger isn't going anywhere fast right now as he nears the Equator

Today, a look at the Doldrums, a region near the Equator in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans where the wind suddenly dies. People are seeing the Doldrums in real time as they follow the journey of Oregon solo sailor Oliver Widger, whose boat has been becalmed in recent days while he waits for better wind.

The Ship Report, Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Newport Pacific Seafood fire destroys freezer facility

A fire on Sunday at Pacific Seafood in Newport, Oregon, destroyed a freezer building and prompted evacuation orders in the area around the company's facilities on the waterfront on Yaquina Bay.

While no employees were injured and the company was back in operation on Monday, it's unclear that the long term effects of the fire will be on the commercial fishing industry and local jobs, as we head into Dungeness crab season in December.

The Ship Report, Monday, October 26, 2026

A change in the weather - it's rain and that's good news

We've got a bit of a change in the weather - rainy all week is what's predicted. This is good news on many fronts: for one, we need the moisture.

But second, it could signal a trend that our Pacific Northwest El Nino weather pattern could include abundant rain instead of drought.

That's an anomaly we see here in some El Nino years where rain is the norm while other areas have drought.

The Ship Report, Thursday, October 22, 2026

A look at who's coming and going on the river today

Today we'll dive into the ship schedule for the day, some interesting details about vessels coming and going.

The Ship Report, Wednesday, October 21, 2026

More on ships fueling here in Astoria

I got some great additional info I'd like to share about fueling ships locally. I learned that while car carriers fueling up here are indeed a rarity, bulk carriers do on occasion come into the river to get fuel before they move on.

We'll talk about today's vessels, and a bit about marine weather (including a sneaker wave warning through Thursday for area ocean beaches.