The Ship Report

A look at weather data from Tuesday and Wednesday, and the "Sailors Empathy ToolKit"

Today we'll look at data from Tuesday night's storm, which left much of our coastal area without power on Wednesday.

We'll also take a look at a new set of small experiments I am compiling to help land dwellers understand what it's like to be a mariner on a vessel at sea. I call it the Sailors Empathy Toolkit.

So far in my metaphorical kit there are two things you can do to get an idea of what it's like to work on the deck of a boat or ship. 1. To get a feel for wind velocity, stick your head out the window of a moving car at different speeds between 30 and 60 mph. 2. To get a feel for water temperature, run the cold water in your sink at home and stick your bare arm under the water. Better yet, your head. Now you know what it might be like to fall overboard in our cold Pacific Ocean water or be hit by a wave.

You'll have new found empathy for mariners and the dangerous and challenging work they do, often at night, and in the winter, in difficult weather.

A look at common heavy weather terms to describe intensity as more storms come our way

The National Weather Service says we'll be looking at 20 foot seas and 60 mph winds offhore by the end of the week. Ships are already waiting out in the ocean. Another wintry week on the lower Columbia.

A look at who's on the river, amid worsening weather

We have another round of winter weather coming in with high seas and winds, meanwhile ships that were stuck in port or out at sea over the weekend, during our previous storm, are hoping to move on before the next one hits.

The river at night

Today, as we continue through the season of short days and lots of darkness, we'll talk about getting around on the river at night.

A look at bar restrictions up and down the coast as a new round of weather arrives

Those of us who live on or near the Lower Columbia River tend to think of bar restrictions as things affecting the Columbia River Bar. But actually, there are river and bay bars up and down the coast and they all are dynamic and dangerous areas where inland waterways meet the ocean. Today we'll take a look at what's happening along the PNW coast.

Gantry cranes: a look at some unusual equipment on an anchored bulk carrier

A listener sent me a photo of a ship in the Astoria Anchorage that had some unusual looking equipment on deck. It's called a  gantry crane, and it allows the ship to handle containers using onboard equipment.

Update on the Port of Portland's container service

In a follow up to a story I shared with you earlier this year, here's the latest on the Port of Portland's container service, which faced closure in the face of financial losses. Now it looks like the Port will has a new agreement for operating the container service but still needs funding from the state of Oregon. We should know more  about that funding by summer.

A deep sea rescue by a tanker ship with a specialized cargo: orange juice

A look at who's on the river today, and the need for "rain pants" on the coast

A look at today's ship traffic, and what to expect from the weather.

Might want to get out the raingear later in the week.

A few things: a new ship in town, a tsunami warning (whew!), and Ilwaco's Crabpot Christmas

Today, a medley of things to talk about: a new, locally built military vessel on the Columbia; that scary tsunami warning yesterday and what it reminds us to consider.

And, Ilwaco's Crabpot Christmas Tree lighting is coming around again, happening this Saturday at the Port.