The Ship Report

Today, as a follow-up to yesterday’s show about the sinking of the ore-carrier Edmund Fitzgerald 50 years ago on Lake Superior in 1975, we’ll hear an interview with local resident Reid Johnson, who is now retired from the Coast Guard. He was 19 years old in1975, and serving on a USCG ship on Lake Huron the night the Fitz was lost in a storm.

We’ll also hear a poem from Fisher Poet Clem Starck about his real life experience hearing a nearby sister ship sink in a storm, while he himself was at sea within radio range, but unable to help.

The post Mighty Fitz follow up – interview with a Coast Guardsman appeared first on The Ship Report.

Today marks 50 years since the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior on November 10, 11975 in Lake Superior. The Mighty Fitz, as she was called, was caught in the midst of a fierce storm with hurricane force winds. The ship was 17 miles from port when she was lost. All 29 members of her crew perished.

This incident is commemorated in regional ceremonies each year, as residents honor these lost mariners, and all those who have lost their lives over the years in thousands of wrecks on the Great Lakes.

Today we honor all mariners and their families, and recognize that despite safety improvements over the years, maritime work remains among the most dangerous profession worldwide.

The post The 50th anniversary of the wreck of the famous Great Lakes ore carrier, the Edmund Fitzgerald appeared first on The Ship Report.

We’ll take a look at a tanker coming into Kalama, whose cargo is a liquid called toluene. We’ll talk about what it is and what it’s used for. Turns out we all probably have some toluene in our lives.

The post More weather, ships arriving, and a look at a common cargo: toluene appeared first on The Ship Report.

King Tides are happening today, so expect high tides around midday and an atmospheric river event that will amplify hazards on beaches and in flood prone areas. Be careful out there.

The post King Tides and weather are here appeared first on The Ship Report.

We’ve got King Tides happening starting tomorrow through Friday this week, and you’ve probably heard about it if you live in our coastal region.

But what does that mean really? Today we’ll talk about the nuts and bolts of King Tides – a sort of “King Tides FAQ.”

The post King Tides FAQ appeared first on The Ship Report.

We’ve got King Tides arriving later this week, around the same time as the arrival of an atmospheric river weather system. Higher than normal tides and weather effects  could mean increased beach hazards, and some inland flooding.

We’ll keep an eye on it.

The post King Tides happening this week, plus an atmospheric river, could bring beach and flooding hazards appeared first on The Ship Report.

I’m afraid it ‘s more weather – we’ll take a look at a forecast from UW meteorologist Cliff Mass that bears watching, predicting a big atmospheric river headed our way next week.

The post Big atmospheric river in store next week appeared first on The Ship Report.

We’re looking at our evolving weather, and ships traveling on the river, with a “there but for the grace of God go I” moment of humility and solidarity for those in the path of Hurricane Melissa – which is battering Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba with sustained winds of 185 mph.

The post A look at our evolving weather, and good thoughts for those in the path of Hurricane Melissa appeared first on The Ship Report.

Today, a look at who’s traveling on the river, including tugboats and a Military Sealift Command vessel. And a look at the next round of weather headed our way.

The post Who’s on the river, and what’s next for the weather? appeared first on The Ship Report.

With so much misinformation flying around on social media, and more bad weather on the way this week. I thought it would be helpful to share some trusted resources you can use to keep yourself up to date with trusted weather, road and emergency info.

The post Accurate sources for weather (marine and land-based), road and emergency info appeared first on The Ship Report.