The Astoria anchorage can be a refuge for ships

While most ships anchored off Astoria in the river are waiting to load cargo, it can be a blessing for a ship with mechanical problems, as happened recently. A ship in need of repairs can wait there until a fix is complete, wait for ordered parts, or be in easy access for expert help. Far from the turbulence of the open ocean.

Astoria as a harbor offers a great deal to passing ships, as a port, a place with fuel and supplies and occasionally as a much needed refuge.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060624.pdf

The Rose Festival Fleet heads upriver

It's Wednesday of Rose Festival Week, and the fleet is heading upriver to join the festivities. Today, ship watchers on the river between Astoria and Portland will see four military ships traveling: One US Navy ship, two Canadian Navy ships, and one USCG cutter. All ships will leave Astoria in the morning and arrive in Portland sometime in the afternoon.

The USS Montgomery is part of this year's Rose Festival Fleet. She'll be open for tours through Sunday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. For more info see the Rose Festival 2024 website.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060524.pdf

The Rose Festival Fleet

This year's arriving Rose Festival Fleet ships will all be in Astoria today, and you'll have a chance to take a tour of a ship at the dock.

We'll talk about US and Canadian military ships stopping in Astoria before they head upriver to Portland for the annual Rose Festival there.

Show Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060424.pdf

Vessel strike suspected in Nehalem whale death

The necropsy results are out for the dead whale that washed up on the beach in Manzanita: bruising and internal bleeding suggest the whale died from a vessel strike.

We'll talk about this unfortunately not uncommon cause of whale death on the West Coast, and about some measures taken along the coast of California to route ships away from areas where whales are known to be. And about other voluntary measures ship operators can take to avoid whales.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript060324.pdf

Atmospheric rivers coming our way late this weekend

We've got a couple of atmospheric rivers headed our way beginning Sunday that could bring inches of rain to our region. We'll see what develops and talk about what forecasters are predicting.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript053124.pdf

A look at ocean swells and waves, and why some ships load cargo and go to anchor

Sort of a smorgasbord of info today: ocean swells and waves, ship schedules and why some upriver ships go to anchor after they've loaded cargo.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript053024.pdf

Recreational boater stats show the need for safety and paying attention on the water

The US Coast Guard released their 2023 boater safety stats this week. While fatalities are down, alcohol and boater inexperience remain big factors in water deaths and injuries.

The bottom line: the ocean and the river near you are not a carefully controlled water park designed for fun times.

Out on the water is the real deal, a place where Mother Nature makes the rules, and you need to learn, pay attention, and boost your chances of survival by being prepared.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052924.pdf

Dead whale washes up on the beach near Manzanita

Yesterday a dead humpback whale over 30 feet long washed up on the beach at Nehalem Bay State Park near Manzanita, Oregon. Officials are working to determine the cause of death.

This incident brings the total to 5 of whales that have washed up on Oregon beaches in the past year and a half. We'll talk about possible reasons for whale death, other than natural causes.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/SRTranscript052824.pdf

Oil spill hits Oregon and Washington beaches

Today, a few things: We'll talk about two maritime related holidays that happened this week: International Turtle Day and National Maritime Day.

And a note of concern as this holiday weekend arrives: mysterious tar balls have been showing up on beaches in SW Washington and Oregon, along with oil soaked wildlife. So far authorities have not been able to determine the cause.

If you see a bird or other creature covered in oil, call 1-800-22-BIRDS. (1-800-222-4737). This hotline is good in both Oregon and Washington.

Show transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript052424.pdf

Update on the containership Dali in Baltimore

It's been less than two months since the containership Dali lost control as was leaving Baltimore Harbor at night, hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge and destroying it, causing the deaths of bridge workers, and closing this key US harbor to vessel traffic.

Since then a unified command operation of skilled agencies and experts have been working to clear navigation channels so ships can resume calling on the port.

This week they made huge progress and were able to move the ship out of the way and open the deep draft ship channel.

We'll talk about what it took to get there.