The Ship Report

The Pacific Tracker: a specialized ship with a long and winding past

Today we will see the Pacific Tracker travel up the Columbia to Portland. She's a military missile tracking ship that's berthed at Swan Island's shipyard. An interesting aspect of this ship is her past: she's 60 years old, and has had various uses and names - including as a  bulk carrier and containership. A case in point about the lives of ships.

A look at the Tongue Point Job Corps Seamanship Program

To end our week-long series of talks with Len Tumbarello, Maritime Program Program Coordinator for NW Oregon Works, today we'll talk about his previous work running the Tongue Point Job Corps Seamanship program in Astoria, and the benefits the program offers to students.

We did this interview before either of us knew about the federal cuts threatening Job Corps Centers nationwide.

This week, a federal judge granted a national preliminary injunction that will halt the closure of Job Corps campuses for now.

A look at a career in the Coast Guard

Today we continue my interview with Len Tumbarello, Maritime Program Coordinator for NW Oregon Works. We've been talking about maritime employment opportunities this week, but today we'll talk about Len's career in the Coast Guard: how he got started, and what he did as a member of the service.

Most of us would know a Coast Guard ship, boat or helicopter if we saw one, but there are also many other opportunities for a career in the Guard.

Northwest Oregon Works Maritime Program, Part 3

Today we continue hearing excerpts from my interview with Len Tumbarello, maritime program coordinator for Northwest Oregon Works. He's working to improve employment opportunities in the local maritime industry.

Northwest Oregon Works Maritime Program, Part 2

Today we continue my interview with Northwest Oregon Works Maritime Program Coordinator Len Tumbarello, about what kinds of maritime industry employment opportunities this new program could help generate in the state, through funding and development of education and industry partnerships.

Northwest Oregon Works Maritime Program

This week we'll be talking with Len Tumbarello, Maritime Program Coordinator for NW Oregon Works. A Coast Guard veteran, Tumbarello also ran the seamanship education at the Tongue Point Job Corps Program in Astoria for years, helping young people prepare for jobs at sea.

Now he's working with the this Oregon nonprofit to enhance maritime job opportunities for young people and adults, by building educational and business partnerships.

Farewell to one of my favorite authors: William Langewiesche

Today we honor one of my favorite maritime authors: William Langewiesche, author of an incredible book called, The Outlaw Sea.

One of the best works of maritime nonfiction I have ever read. It's on a list of cherished books I reread every few years. Many thanks to him for all his great work.

Today we'll talk about him and about the Outlaw Sea.

A look at today's ships and their cargo

We'll talk a little today about ships on the river and their cargoes, which are primarily agricultural products and dry minerals.

Farewell to the beautiful barque Eagle

Monday we bid farewell to the USCG barque Eagle, the Coast Guard's training ship. She leaves Astoria headed south for San Francisco with a new cadre of cadets aboard, ready to learn the ropes about sailing a tall ship.

The Eagle lands in Astoria

Friday morning, the beautiful tall ship Eagle, the US Coast Guard's training ship, comes in from out at sea to the Port of Astoria, where she'll be available for tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here are the details:

Arrive at the  Port of Astoria's Pier 1: around 11 am (this is a change from previous info per the bar pilots)

Friday Tours: 3:30-7:00 pm

Saturday Tours: 10 am to 7pm

Sunday Tours: 10 am to 7 pm.

Monday: the Eagle heads out to sea (Departure Time TBA)