This week I’m taking a break from the show and sharing a great interview with now retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Capt. Robert Johnson.

He shares fascinating details about a type of ship that we often see on the Columbia.

The post From the Ship Report Archives: a look at car ships appeared first on The Ship Report.

Around this time of year, as fall winds make their presence known with the change of the seasons, it’s a good time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: the Beaufort Wind Scale.

It dates back to the 1800s but is still used today. You can use it to tell how hard the wind is blowing by looking at the effects on the environment around you, on land or sea.

The post The Beaufort Wind Scale appeared first on The Ship Report.

A look at marine weather today, and about how the distinct feeling of fall is in the air – a sign that some of our loveliest days of the year are still to come.

The post Fall is in the air appeared first on The Ship Report.

Today we have a whole new set of ships with different cargoes on board, so another chance to talk in more depth about what they are carrying.

The post More about cargo appeared first on The Ship Report.

Today we’ll look at today’s ship schedule with a twist: a look at the cargoes these ships are handling here. What they are, where they come from and how they fit into the chain of commerce on the mighty Columbia River.

The post Who’s on the river today and what cargoes are they carrying? appeared first on The Ship Report.

A look at what ships are traveling on the river today, and a bit about ballast water, an important factor in ship transits.

The post Who’s on the river today? appeared first on The Ship Report.

There are heroes among us – and we usually don’t see them. USCG rescue swimmers go out in terrible conditions at sea to save lives, as part of highly trained rescue helicopter crews.

Today, from the Ship Report Archives, we’ll hear an excerpt from a 2009 interview with a rescue swimmer at Air Station Astoria.

The post A gem from the Ship Report archives: Interview with a rescue swimmer appeared first on The Ship Report.

Today we’ll see quite a few ships anchored off Astoria in the river, if they all arrive today. That will bring good shipwatching opportunities. We’ll talk today about why ships anchor here.

The post Lots of ships today anchored off Astoria appeared first on The Ship Report.

I received a listener question about a seasonal phenomenon people are noticing in the lower river right now: patches of dull red in the water. What is it?

Turns out it’s not what many people think: it’s NOT a dreaded toxic algae bloom.

Instead it’s a good thing: a bloom of beneficial phytoplankton that is helping restore oxygen to the water and reduce harmful acidity. We’re seeing it more in recent years, and it’s helping the river become a healthier place for living creatures like salmon.

The post What are those red patches in the river? appeared first on The Ship Report.

The National Weather Service issued a low water warning for the Columbia this past weekend and today, as minus tides and seasonal low water levels make navigating the river more challenging.

We’ll talk today about why water levels can be lower at this time of year, and when they will improve.

The post Low water on the Columbia appeared first on The Ship Report.