Marine weather forecasts (there’s more than one) and a cross section of typical ships

Dec 08, 2023

This weekend is shaping up to be a typical PNW winter weekend: rain, rain, rain, and ships coming and going.

Today we’ll talk about marine forecasts. In fact, there are several different forecasts that together provide a broad picture of what’s going on our there in the huge ocean. Mariners may consult all of them, depending on where they’re going.

Our local forecasts and ship traffic are particular to us here, but there are marine forecasts and ship schedules for every port around the world that welcomes cargo vessels.

It’s a commonality we share with countries around the world that have seaports.

Marine weather forecasts (there’s more than one) and a cross section of typical ships

Marine weather forecasts (there’s more than one) and a cross section of typical ships

This weekend is shaping up to be a typical PNW winter weekend: rain, rain, rain, and ships coming and going.

Today we’ll talk about marine forecasts. In fact, there are several different forecasts that together provide a broad picture of what’s going on our there in the huge ocean. Mariners may consult all of them, depending on where they’re going.

Our local forecasts and ship traffic are particular to us here, but there are marine forecasts and ship schedules for every port around the world that welcomes cargo vessels.

It’s a commonality we share with countries around the world that have seaports.

Why do we call ships “she”?

Dec 07, 2023

Today, a bit about the longstanding tradition of calling ships “she.” It’s a nautical tradition that goes back to at least the 1300s, and seems primarily popular in English speaking cultures. We’ll talk about some of the reasons why people hold their vessels in fond regard, and why (in many cultures) sailors think of them as female.

Why do we call ships “she”?

Why do we call ships “she”?

Today, a bit about the longstanding tradition of calling ships “she.” It’s a nautical tradition that goes back to at least the 1300s, and seems primarily popular in English speaking cultures. We’ll talk about some of the reasons why people hold their vessels in fond regard, and why (in many cultures) sailors think of them as female.

Whole lotta flooding going on… and a USCG rescue inland

Dec 06, 2023

We’ve gotten a whole lot of rain the past few days, thanks to atmopsheric rivers that have blown through our area. The result has been incredible flooding and in some cases, stranded motorists marooned by water. We’ll talk about one USCG rescue, one of several yesterday in the area, where a USCG crew in a helicopter deftly plucked a person from the top of their vehicle amidst a rushing torrent of flood waters.

We’ll talk a little more about who’s in those USCG helos, and how they do the astonishing, heroic work they do.

 

Whole lotta flooding going on… and a USCG rescue inland

Whole lotta flooding going on… and a USCG rescue inland

We’ve gotten a whole lot of rain the past few days, thanks to atmopsheric rivers that have blown through our area. The result has been incredible flooding and in some cases, stranded motorists marooned by water. We’ll talk about one USCG rescue, one of several yesterday in the area, where a USCG crew in a helicopter deftly plucked a person from the top of their vehicle amidst a rushing torrent of flood waters.

We’ll talk a little more about who’s in those USCG helos, and how they do the astonishing, heroic work they do.

 

A look at an arriving US military vessel: the USNS Curtiss

Dec 05, 2023

Today we’ll look at today’s arriving ships on the Columbia River. Among them is the USNS Curtiss, a member of the Military Sealift Command fleet that often comes into the Columbia River. She’s headed for a layberth, and we’ll talk about her specialized role in supporting active duty military vessels, equipment, and personnel.

Image of the USNS Curtiss courtesy of Wikipedia.

A look at an arriving US military vessel: the USNS Curtiss

A look at an arriving US military vessel: the USNS Curtiss

Today we’ll look at today’s arriving ships on the Columbia River. Among them is the USNS Curtiss, a member of the Military Sealift Command fleet that often comes into the Columbia River. She’s headed for a layberth, and we’ll talk about her specialized role in supporting active duty military vessels, equipment, and personnel.

Image of the USNS Curtiss courtesy of Wikipedia.

A bit about our “active” weather today, and still more on the Carnival Panorama cruise ship saga

Dec 04, 2023

We’re in for a windy day on the coast today with lots of rain, potential for flooding, and elevated sneaker wave risk yet again, as swells from other storm systems join with our own local wind waves to make beachgoing dangerous.

Rain totals will be registered in inches today…be aware of flood prone areas near you and exercise caution… leave extra time if you need to go somewhere. Watch out for tidal flooding on the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington coasts around 5 am and 6 am, prime commuting times…

And of course, what day on the Ship Report recently would be complete without a little more about the Carnival Panorama cruise ship, which is now tucked away in a giant drydock in Portland, getting her steering and propulsion system fixed. (And I promise to stop talking about this topic for awhile after today, at least until something else happens.)

 

A bit about our “active” weather today, and still more on the Carnival Panorama cruise ship saga

A bit about our “active” weather today, and still more on the Carnival Panorama cruise ship saga

We’re in for a windy day on the coast today with lots of rain, potential for flooding, and elevated sneaker wave risk yet again, as swells from other storm systems join with our own local wind waves to make beachgoing dangerous.

Rain totals will be registered in inches today…be aware of flood prone areas near you and exercise caution… leave extra time if you need to go somewhere. Watch out for tidal flooding on the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington coasts around 5 am and 6 am, prime commuting times…

And of course, what day on the Ship Report recently would be complete without a little more about the Carnival Panorama cruise ship, which is now tucked away in a giant drydock in Portland, getting her steering and propulsion system fixed. (And I promise to stop talking about this topic for awhile after today, at least until something else happens.)

 

The Carnival Panorama’s Columbia River return

Dec 01, 2023

The saga of Carnival Panorama, the cruise ship with mechanical problems and lots of uneasy customers with holiday cruises planned, is slated to return to the Columbia River early tomorrow morning.

We’ll talk about her trip down the coast, why she is arriving so early and how the weather plays into her voyage.

The ship should cross the Columbia River Bar into the river at about 4 am Saturday if all goes well. Track her progress on marinetraffic.com

The Carnival Panorama’s Columbia River return

The Carnival Panorama’s Columbia River return

The saga of Carnival Panorama, the cruise ship with mechanical problems and lots of uneasy customers with holiday cruises planned, is slated to return to the Columbia River early tomorrow morning.

We’ll talk about her trip down the coast, why she is arriving so early and how the weather plays into her voyage.

The ship should cross the Columbia River Bar into the river at about 4 am Saturday if all goes well. Track her progress on marinetraffic.com