Jul 30, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
On Saturday, August 1, we’ll see a big influx of small fishing boats on the Columbia River off Astoria, Warrenton and Hammond. The beginning of August marks the start of an annual ritual, when the Buoy 10 fishery opens. The fishery area extends from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the river to Tongue Point on the east end of Astoria. Hundreds of boats will gather as anglers do their best to catch salmon.
This busy time on the lower river means lots of potential interactions between ships and small boats. Today we’ll hear from Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Dan Jordan, about the risks this situation can pose when it comes to big ships vs. other craft in a narrow ship channel.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
Jul 29, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
We haven’t looked at ship schedules lately, so let’s see who’s coming and going on the river today.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
Jul 28, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
Today we’ll take a look at a ship that was recently in the Columbia River: the USCGC Healy, a Coast Guard icebreaker. She ran into serious mechanical issues during sea trials in the Strait of Juan De Fuca, and was towed to Seattle for repairs.
The ship had just finished a repair period in the Portland shipyard. Today we’ll talk about how ships prepare for problems, and why a breakdown during a sea trial is the very best time for it to happen.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
Jul 27, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
Glad to be back from a recent week off, with the answer to a listener question, and a little about “how I spent my summer vacation” with a bit about my beloved boat.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
Jul 23, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
This week I’m taking a little much needed time off, so we’ll be hearing a bit from the Ship Report archives, a really interesting interview i did with Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Robert Johnson, sometime in the early 2000s, all about the often-seen bulk carrier, the most common type of ship we see on the Columbia. There’s a great deal to know, and we talk about a lot of it. Enjoy! Today is Part 4.
The Ship Report will return with new content, ship schedules and marine weather, on Monday, July 27.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
Jul 22, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
This week I’m taking a little much needed time off, so we’ll be hearing a bit from the Ship Report archives, a really interesting interview i did with Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Robert Johnson, sometime in the early 2000s, all about the often-seen bulk carrier, the most common type of ship we see on the Columbia. There’s a great deal to know, and we talk about a lot of it. Enjoy! Today is Part 3.
The Ship Report will return with new content, ship schedules and marine weather, on Monday, July 27.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Email | | More
