Jul 9, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
For some folks, seeing a list of ships coming in and out of the river is just that – a list.
When I look at them, I see all kinds of details that I’ve learned from many conversations I’ve had over the years with career mariners in our region and beyond.
I’ve soaked up what they told me, because I found it fascinating. It’s rewarding for me to share that with you here on the show.
So we’ll talk a bit about marine weather and then take a look at a couple of ships, and a bit of what they’re about.
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Jul 8, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
Today we’ll talk about how we can look for clues in the marine environment right in front of us, or use readily available information, to keep us safe and enjoying life as we use the river and ocean beaches. We’ll talk about some things locals know that allow them to work with, instead of against, the immense power of the Columbia River and the ocean.
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Jul 7, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
It’s another unseen piece of the maritime industry puzzle: how do ships get cargoes on and off. We’ll take a look at some of the most common practices.
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Jul 6, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
Today we have a small ship schedule, and that presents two opportunities for me here: to reassure you that a day here and there with fewer ships is not a trend. It’s just what happens. And also, I have a chance to use this time to look at the ships that are here in more depth. There’s a lot of interesting detail to talk about. Let’s take a look…
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Jul 2, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
This week we’re celebrating the birthday of legendary ship captain and maritime pilot Captain Deborah Dempsey. She was a Columbia River Bar Pilot for decades here in Astoria. She sailed around the world as the master of big ships.
And from her admission into the Maine Maritime Academy in the 1970s to her hiring as a bar pilot, her life as been filled with instances where she has been the first woman to fill many of the roles she has held in the maritime industry. She’s also a heckuva nice person, a good friend and an incredible mariner. Happy Birthday, Deb!
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Jul 1, 2026 | Home Slider, Ship Report Podcasts
Today I’ll answer a couple of listener questions about what it means when ship traffic numbers are low (hint: not much on a given day), and a question about car ships and why they never seem to look different whether they have loaded or unloaded cargo (the secret decoder phrase is: ballast water).
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