Interesting backstory on a complex Christmas ship incident shows mariner expertise

Interesting backstory on a complex Christmas ship incident shows mariner expertise

On Christmas Day, some lower Columbia land dwellers saw a ship and two tugs slowly making its way upriver to Rainier, where it remains anchored. The ship experienced engine failure on its way downriver, and had to turn around and retrace its path.

The complex backstory around this incident, which might have seemed to a bystander like a relatively simple maneuver, shows the incredible expertise at play in our local maritime industry, which saw numerous professionals working during the Christmas holiday, meeting difficult challenges.

Interesting backstory on a complex Christmas ship incident shows mariner expertise

New Year’s Eve on the Astoria Waterfront 2024

It’s that time of year again, when Astoria is usually quite fortunate to hear ship horns on the waterfront at midnight. It’s different every year, depending on who’s in the anchorage and who chooses to participate.

Thanks to the kind ship captains who agreed to sound their horns for us this year. Enjoy these sounds of the New Year’s night and our town, ringing in the new.

Happy New Year!

A deep sea rescue by a tanker ship with a specialized cargo: orange juice

A deep sea rescue by a tanker ship with a specialized cargo: orange juice

Today we’ll talk about the just-in-time rescue of a sailor from a sailboat in flames, over 400 miles offshore, by a cargo ship – carrying a cargo of orange juice. So a bit about rescues at sea, and the specialized ships that carry our juice.

A few things: a new ship in town, a tsunami warning (whew!), and Ilwaco’s Crabpot Christmas

A few things: a new ship in town, a tsunami warning (whew!), and Ilwaco’s Crabpot Christmas

Today, a medley of things to talk about: a new, locally built military vessel on the Columbia; that scary tsunami warning yesterday and what it reminds us to consider.

And, Ilwaco’s Crabpot Christmas Tree lighting is coming around again, happening this Saturday at the Port.