Anchor buoys, and why (and how) ships use them

Sep 17, 2024

Today we hear from a river expert: Columbia River Pilot Captain Wes Balensifer answers a question from a listener about anchor buoys at Rainier on the Columbia River. We’ll also talk about other anchorages on the river and why they don’t have buoys.

Anchor buoys, and why (and how) ships use them

Anchor buoys, and why (and how) ships use them

Today we hear from a river expert: Columbia River Pilot Captain Wes Balensifer answers a question from a listener about anchor buoys at Rainier on the Columbia River. We’ll also talk about other anchorages on the river and why they don’t have buoys.

Names, countries and other words painted on ships – and what they mean

Sep 16, 2024

Today we’ll talk about the words you see painted on the sides and sterns of ships. They can represent vessel names, flags of registry and the names of companies that operate ships. Today we’ll talk about what that all means.

Names, countries and other words painted on ships – and what they mean

Names, countries and other words painted on ships – and what they mean

Today we’ll talk about the words you see painted on the sides and sterns of ships. They can represent vessel names, flags of registry and the names of companies that operate ships. Today we’ll talk about what that all means.

Ship speed: some factors that determine how fast ships go

Sep 13, 2024

Today, a look at ship speed, how fast they can go, why they choose to slow down sometimes, and how long it takes to get from one place to another at sea.

Ship speed: some factors that determine how fast ships go

Ship speed: some factors that determine how fast ships go

Today, a look at ship speed, how fast they can go, why they choose to slow down sometimes, and how long it takes to get from one place to another at sea.

The Sand Plan: guidelines that address a fact of life on the Columbia, and that’s dredging

Sep 12, 2024

Each year, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredges tons and tons (and tons) of sand out of the river to keep the ship channel open and navigable. We all rely on it to receive the goods we need to live our lives. It’s also a huge economic driver for the region.

But the dilemma remains: where to put all that sand? The agency, along with river ports, has drafted a docuoment called the Sand Plan, which will spell out where dredge spoils will go for the next 20 years.

The public comment period is open now through early October. Regional meetings and a virtual meeting are happening starting next week. Make your voice heard. Dredging can affect ecosystems, fish spawning grounds, and even enhance riparian conditions if properly handled.

Get involved in an important process – creating a plan that attempts to balance the needs of all stakeholders in the river, both human and those (like wild creatures) who cannot speak for themselves.

See a copy of the draft plan here: Draft DMMP-EIS on the USACE Digital Library

Email comments here: LCR-CMP-DMMP@usace.army.mil (Please add “Draft DMMP-EIS” in the subject line of your email.)

In-person meetings:
September 16 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cowlitz County Event Center
1900 7th Avenue, Longview, Wash.

September 17 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Norse Hall
444 WA-409 Cathlamet, Wash.

September 18 • 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
St. John’s Community Center
8427 N Central Street, Portland, Ore.

September 20 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Astoria Senior Center
1111 Exchange Street, Astoria, Ore.

USACE and the sponsor ports will host a virtual meeting:
September 24 • 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meeting login information will be posted on this webpage: www.nwp.usace.army.mil/lcrchannelmaintenance/

The Sand Plan: guidelines that address a fact of life on the Columbia, and that’s dredging

The Sand Plan: guidelines that address a fact of life on the Columbia, and that’s dredging

Each year, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredges tons and tons (and tons) of sand out of the river to keep the ship channel open and navigable. We all rely on it to receive the goods we need to live our lives. It’s also a huge economic driver for the region.

But the dilemma remains: where to put all that sand? The agency, along with river ports, has drafted a docuoment called the Sand Plan, which will spell out where dredge spoils will go for the next 20 years.

The public comment period is open now through early October. Regional meetings and a virtual meeting are happening starting next week. Make your voice heard. Dredging can affect ecosystems, fish spawning grounds, and even enhance riparian conditions if properly handled.

Get involved in an important process – creating a plan that attempts to balance the needs of all stakeholders in the river, both human and those (like wild creatures) who cannot speak for themselves.

See a copy of the draft plan here: Draft DMMP-EIS on the USACE Digital Library

Email comments here: LCR-CMP-DMMP@usace.army.mil (Please add “Draft DMMP-EIS” in the subject line of your email.)

In-person meetings:
September 16 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cowlitz County Event Center
1900 7th Avenue, Longview, Wash.

September 17 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Norse Hall
444 WA-409 Cathlamet, Wash.

September 18 • 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
St. John’s Community Center
8427 N Central Street, Portland, Ore.

September 20 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Astoria Senior Center
1111 Exchange Street, Astoria, Ore.

USACE and the sponsor ports will host a virtual meeting:
September 24 • 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meeting login information will be posted on this webpage: www.nwp.usace.army.mil/lcrchannelmaintenance/

Boatlift: Recalling the maritime evacuation during 9/11 in Manhattan, which showed us the best we can be

Sep 11, 2024

Today, on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on NYC and Washington, DC, we remember “Operation Boatlift”: a stunning display of people helping people – as hundreds of private boat owners joined the US Coast Guard to evacuate stranded victims from Manhattan Island after the World Trade Center collapsed.

It’s an unforgettable look at humans being the best we can be.

Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript091124.pdf

Link to the film “Boatlift”: https://youtu.be/18lsxFcDrjo?si=q54jead3lglU2zSX

Boatlift: Recalling the maritime evacuation during 9/11 in Manhattan, which showed us the best we can be

Boatlift: Recalling the maritime evacuation during 9/11 in Manhattan, which showed us the best we can be

Today, on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on NYC and Washington, DC, we remember “Operation Boatlift”: a stunning display of people helping people – as hundreds of private boat owners joined the US Coast Guard to evacuate stranded victims from Manhattan Island after the World Trade Center collapsed.

It’s an unforgettable look at humans being the best we can be.

Transcript here: http://shipreport.nfshost.com/audio/SRTranscript091124.pdf

Link to the film “Boatlift”: https://youtu.be/18lsxFcDrjo?si=q54jead3lglU2zSX

Is summer gone for good with the arrival of this week’s rain? And a look at who’s on the river today.

Sep 10, 2024

A look at our evolving weather – is summer over? And a peek at local ship traffic, with an overview of the kinds of ships we see here on the Columbia.

Is summer gone for good with the arrival of this week’s rain? And a look at who’s on the river today.

Is summer gone for good with the arrival of this week’s rain? And a look at who’s on the river today.

A look at our evolving weather – is summer over? And a peek at local ship traffic, with an overview of the kinds of ships we see here on the Columbia.