The present and future of ship emissions

Sharp-eyed ship watchers concerned about pollution noticed a ship traveling in the river yesterday, emitting what looked like smoke from its stack. As it turns out, seeing that was good news, since it shows the ship has an emissions scrubber on board, and what folks saw was mostly steam.

But that sighting opens the door to talk about recent international regulations that have reduced pollution in shipping, with plans for even more reductions by 2050.

Dredging on the Columbia, and a new beneficial use for dredge spoils

Today the answer to a listener question about dredging on the Columbia River, and a look at new beneficial use for dredge spoils: the many tons of sediment vacuumed off the river bottom annually.

The rhyme and reason of ship names

Today we'll talk about a ship in the Astoria Anchorage that's garnered some attention lately because of her name: the bulk carrier Kobayashi Maru is out there waiting to go upriver and pick up her cargo.

That's prompted shipwatchers locally to wonder whether she was named by a zealous Star Trek fan, or whether her name is simply a charming term of endearment in Japanese.

The whole thing offers a great excuse to talk about ship names, so that's what we'll do today.

Abandoned ships and crews: a global problem

Today, a listener question about a dilapidated looking ship in the Astoria Anchorage. Does a ship's appearance signal problems on board? Possibly, but not necessarily. She could just need a good paint job. The ocean is hard on ships.

However, the question speaks to what's become a global issue: ships being abandoned by their owners with crew on board. In some places in the world it's reached crisis proportions. And at least once, it happened here.

How global shipping troubles affect us all

Today we'll take a look at how and why recent shipping troubles at the Suez Canal and Panama canals affect us all.

Ships now must use alternate strategies to get around two of the most vital waterways in the world, and the effect could be higher inflation and increased costs for consumers.

Of car carriers and ballast water

Today, a listener question about car carriers and ballast water.

We'll talk about how automated systems work on modern ships and how a computer malfunction can lead to dangerous ballast water problems that can trigger an emergency.

Running aground: how it can happen and what ships do about it

Today, a question about ships on the Columbia running aground: why it sometimes happens and what ships do about it.

It's not a common occurrence but when it happens, it's a maritime emergency, and pilots and crews take swift action to get things under control.

Short turnaround time for some ships

A ship arrives one day on the rive and leaves in less than 24 hours.

It's an example of the fast-paced world of cargo handling, which can leave car and container ship crews hard-pressed with little chance to rest before heading back out into the wintry Pacific.

Familiar cruise ship will no longer visit Astoria as company folds

Residents and visitors to Astoria may remember the big red and white paddlewheel cruise ship, the American Empress, that used to dock at the 17th Street dock by the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

The company that owns her, American Queen Voyages, has ceased operations, and that ship will no longer be a familiar sight in Astoria during cruise season.

But lovers of river cruises can take heart: there will still be cruises on the river, offered by other companies. We'll talk about the American Empress, and other cruise options that remain.

Columbia River Locks close for annual maintenance this week

Today we'll talk about an annual event that began this week: it's the annual, temporary closing of the US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District locks at the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams.

Each year the locks close for two weeks to allow technicians to inspect them and repair and maintain the equipment. It's an essential preventive step that helps keep the Columbia Snake River system carrying commerce year round.

Downriver ports know it's happening so they can plan around it, and some even do their own maintenance during that time.