The Ship Report

Eagle recap for Friday tours

Today we'll take another look at the info about when and where you can tour the Eagle in Astoria. The original schedule, which was still out their earlier this week, was causing some confusion.

On Friday, the Eagle will begin tours at 3:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. And a reminder that you do not have to use Real ID to get aboard, Regular government issued ID, such as your driver's license will suffice.

Latest info about USCG Barque Eagle Tours this weekend in Astoria:

Eagle Tours

Friday, June 13 (Friday info is different from previously released schedules, updated per the CG this week)

Arrive at Port of Astoria Pier 1 around 12:30 pm

Open for tours: 3:30 - 7:00 pm

Saturday, June 14

Open for tours: 10 am - 7 pm

Sunday, June 15

Open for tours: 10 am - 7 pm

Monday: Underway, heading out to sea (will share time when I learn details)

And just to verify: You can use regular government-issued ID (like a driver’s license) to get aboard. You do NOT need Real ID for this tour.

Updated tour times for the Eagle in Astoria, and a listener question about the ship

Here is the latest info, which I received Monday night, directly from the Coast Guard, regarding tours of the USCG Barque Eagle, which will be in Astoria beginning Friday. Note that this differs slightly from previous schedules which had Friday Tours beginning in the morning:

Eagle Tours

Friday, June 13

Arrive at Port ofAstoria Pier 1 around 12:30 pm

Open for tours: 3:30- 7:00 pm

Saturday, June 14

Open for tours: 10am - 7 pm

Sunday, June 15

Open for tours: 10am - 7 pm

Monday: Underway,heading out to sea (will share time when I learn details)

And just to verify:

You can use regular government-issued ID (likea driver’s license) to get aboard. You do NOT needReal ID for this tour.

Good news: Real ID not required for Eagle tours in Astoria

The Rose Festival Fleet ships passed Astoria yesterday and headed out to sea.

One of them will return to us at the end of the week for tours in Astoria and that’s the USCG Barque Eagle, America’s Tall Ship. She will be at the Port of Astoria for tours beginning on Friday.

And before I talk about that more, some really good news that I have been getting a lot of questions about.

OK, good news. I just verified with the Port of Astoria that when the Eagle is at the Port this coming weekend, you can board her for a tour with government issued ID, like your driver's license. It does NOT have to be Real ID.

Sincere apologies for any confusion about this issue. Sources I consulted earlier said we did need Real ID, but that turned out to be incorrect.

But the good news is you can (according to the Port) just show up with your regular ID to board the ship. Whew. I've been stressing over this one. I want everyone to be able to get on board. She's a beautiful ship.

Current info about tours (from the Eagle's Facebook page):

Come see us at Pier 1 in Astoria where we’ll be offering free public tours during the following dates and times:

• Friday, June 13: TBD

• Saturday, June 14: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Sunday, June 15: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

No tickets are required, and tours are free of charge. See you then!

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I'll share any updates about Friday tour hours when/if I learn more.

What's next with the Rose Festival Fleet, and a bit more about that car ship fire off Alaska

The Rose Festival Fleet will beginning their return trip downriver and out to sea over the weekend. We'll see the first visiting ship leave Portland on Sunday, and the rest on Monday. He USCG Barque Eagle will head out to sea Monday but will return at the end of next week for tours in Astoria.

Car ship blaze off Alaska shows dangers of shipboard fires, especially involving EVs

There’s a car ship ablaze off the coast of the Aleutians, after a fire started on board. The crew has been safely evacuated but the ship remains on fire. We’ll talk about the dangers of shipboard fires, made worse in the modern era of electric vehicles (EVs).

Wednesday Fleet Week update

Today we'll take a look at ships heading upriver for the Rose Festival today: the USCG Barque Eagle and the Canadian Navy vessel HMCS Nanaimo. Expect the Eagle to leave Astoria around 7:30am and around 8:30am the Nanaimo will pass Astoria inbound.

For info about tours in Portland, go to rosefestival.org and click on the Fleet Week link.

The USCG barque Eagle comes into the Columbia, and the Rose Festival Fleet begins its journey upriver

Tuesday morning early we'll see the USCGC Eagle arrive on the Columbia. She'll cross the bar around 6 am and be in Astoria around 8:30am. The two US Navy ships at the Port of Astoria will head upriver to Portland. The Rose Festival Fleet is here and on the move.

Today, more details on today's ships.

The Rose Festival Fleet goes upriver this week

This week the visiting ships that comprise the Rose Festival Fleet will pass by Astoria and other points on the river to Portland. Ships will dock at the seawall at Tom McCall Park and be available for tours there.

We have several ships heading past Astoria this week. Here's the list of ships and when we'll likely see them:

Tuesday:

• USS Mustin - US Navy guided missile destroyer - Depart Port of Astoria ~8am Tuesday/ Portland ~3:30pm
• USS Jack H Lucas - US Navy guided missile destroyer - Depart Port of Astoria ~8:30am Tuesday/ Portland ~4pm
• HMCS Nanaimo - Canadian Navy maritime coastal defence vessel - Passing Astoria ~8:30am Tuesday/ Portland ~4pm

Wednesday:

• USCGC Eagle - inbound past Astoria ~9:30am Wednesday/ Portland ~3:30pm

More info see the Rose Festival Fleet website: https://www.rosefestival.org/events/2025/fleetweek

Track ships in real time on vesselfinder or marinetraffic. Be aware that some military ships do not display AIS for security reasons or are designated as military with numbers instead of names.

A US Navy ship arrives for tours in Astoria, the Rose Festival Fleet, and dredge season on the river

An opportunity Saturday to tour a US Navy ship that arrives at the Port of Astoria today. Likely the first of next week's Rose Festival Fleet of arriving ships, including the USCG tall ship Eagle.

And it's dredge season on the Columbia River - and we'll be seeing at least one of these specialized vessels on the river for the rest of the year, doing her part to keep our ship channel free and clear for vessels. We'll talk about what these ships do here and about their special role in the maritime industry.

Maritime scholarship for students opens doors to education

Today we'll talk about a scholarship being offered through the Portland Merchant Exchange. It's an opportunity for students interested in a career in the maritime industry to get some funding assistance with their education.