Today's ship schedule

A  look at today's ship schedule - the comings and goings on the river.

The Desdemona Sands lighthouse: a bit of lower Columbia history

Today, in answer to a listener question, we take a look at the long and illustrious history of lighted navigational aids and rescue stations on the lower Columbia between Astoria and the ocean.

In particular, we'll delve into the history of the once proud (and quite useful) Desdemona Sands Lighthouse, which stood on pilings in the river near Hammond. The Desdemona Light even had her own lighthouse keeper, which must have been quite a job!

A look at today's ship schedule

Today, to round out the week, we'll take a look at today's ship schedule, and talk a little about the cargo ship, the Manila Trader, that is still at the Port of Astoria for repairs.

Latest on Oregon Offshore Wind Projects

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, BOEM, released the latest info this week on the proposed floating offshore wind energy projects slated for southern Oregon coastal waters. Even after a lengthy public comment period last fall, stakeholders like tribes and commercial fishermen still say they aren't being heard.

A 30-day public comment period opens this week. Info online: Google "BOEM Oregon Activities."

But wait, there's more!... Part 3 of A Bit about Tugboats...

A timely listener question led me into another interesting line of thought about tugboats and how they control their barges, and so... I bring you: A Bit about Tugboats on the Ship Report, Part 3...

A Bit about Tugboats, Part 2

Yesterday we started talking about tugboats, and there was so much to say that I decided to to do a second episode.

Tugboats are the maritime essence of the saying, "big things in small packages." Today, among other things, a story about how tugs helped a big ship dock safely in heavy current in a port in British Columbia.

Today we'll hear Part 2 of "A Bit about Tugboats on the Ship Report."

A Bit about Tugboats, Part 1

Today I'll answer a listener question about tugboats on the river. It's an interesting and broad subject, so much so that I had too much to share to fit into just one show. So today is Part 1 of "A Bit about Tugboats on the Ship Report."

Tugboats haul cargo on barges on rivers and oceans, and assist tugs in port. They are vital in the maritime industry and ships could not do their work without them.

Part 2 tomorrow...

Two hometown ships leave Astoria for good

Two familiar ships, the USCG cutters Steadfast and Alert, will soon be leaving Astoria for good.

The reasons for each ship's departure are different, but we'll miss seeing them grace our waterfront by the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

We'll talk about why these beloved vessels will no longer be here on the Columbia.

Ship at the Port of Astoria for repairs

Today we'll take a look at our ship schedule on the river, including a bulk carrier that is at the Port of Astoria for engine repairs.

One more time...Red sky at night, sailors' delight?

With profound apologies to listeners who heard the wrong show yesterday, I apologize for my "operator error."

So, once more with feeling, here is the show that should have aired yesterday (with updated ship traffic and weather).

Today we take a look, thanks to a listener question, at an old nautical saying that goes, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning."

Is it true? Can we really predict the weather from colors in the sky? Well. to a degree, yes. We'll take a look today at the science behind red sunsets and sunrises.