The Most Recent Ship Report Podcast:

The nautical and historical origins of May Day

Today is May Day, the first day of the month of May. We'll talk about the day's historical origins as a celebration. Then we'll delve into its contemporary nautical meaning. The expression "mayday" has saved lives for over a century, when uttered over VHF radio as a distress signal to the Coast Guard. Transcript of this show available here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/Transcript050124.pdf

Archive Podcasts:

Car manufacturing: a global phenomenon

Apr 03, 2024

Answering a listener question about a car carrier with Toyotas headed for the Port of Portland. Today we’ll talk about the many countries in which familiar autos brands are manufactured, including vehicles from American companies.

These days our cars, and the parts that comprise them, are made around the world. It’s part of our global economy.

Baltimore’s bridge disaster

Mar 27, 2024

The horrific scene in Baltimore harbor strikes fear into communities like ours, where we have a big river and big bridges with ships passing under them.

Today we’ll talk about what’s known so far about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor after it was hit by a huge containership early Tuesday morning.

We’ll also talk about whether that could happen here on the Columbia.

Photo: The Astoria Megler Bridge has protective barriers around its supports that could protect it from the impact of a vessel. Joanne Rideout 3/26/24

Farewell, Fisher Poet Clem Starck

Mar 25, 2024

Today we honor Clemens Starck, award-winning Oregon poet and author who was a regular performer at the annual Fisher Poet’s Gathering in Astoria.

Clem passed away last week at the age of 86, but his evocative work lives on.

Today we’ll learn a bit about his varied life, and hear him readi a poem he wrote from his days as a merchant mariner, about the sinking of a ship in the north Pacific.

The USNS Mercy heads to Portland

Mar 22, 2024

The US Navy hospital ship the USNS Mercy is slated to enter the Columbia River Friday morning. If she arrives according to the schedule, she could pass Astoria around 7:30am Friday.  She’s headed to the shipyard in Portland at Swan Island. We’ll talk about this iconic ship and her important role in the US military and the world.

Beautiful, mysterious river fog: we’ll look at what makes that happen

Mar 21, 2024

The other morning in Astoria, residents and visitors were treated to a lovely natural event: the river and surrounding areas were shrouded in thick, velvety fog.

Ships sounded their fog horns while they made their way through it, while the hillside above the river enjoyed bright sunshine and blue skies.

Today we’ll talk about river fog and what causes it.

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