Tugs: unsung heroes of river commerce

Jan 21, 2020

Yesterday’s listener question was about a tugboat helping out a big ship in the Astoria Anchorage. That tug, the PJ Brix, by the way, is owned by Foss Maritime, a big presence in the tugboat world. Since we see fewer tugboats on the lower river compared to upriver vessel traffic, I thought today we would talk about the huge role tugs play in upriver commerce. In many cases, it could not happen without them.

Tugs: unsung heroes of river commerce

Tugs: unsung heroes of river commerce

Yesterday’s listener question was about a tugboat helping out a big ship in the Astoria Anchorage. That tug, the PJ Brix, by the way, is owned by Foss Maritime, a big presence in the tugboat world. Since we see fewer tugboats on the lower river compared to upriver vessel traffic, I thought today we would talk about the huge role tugs play in upriver commerce. In many cases, it could not happen without them.

Mystery ship in Astoria Anchorage

Jan 20, 2020

I’ve been getting listener questions about a ship that seemed to be having difficulties in the Astoria Anchorage. Today I have the scoop on that vessel, which was having trouble with a steering pump.

Correction: today’s report referred to Brix tugs as being based in Cathlamet. They are in fact Portland-based. Brusco tugs are in Cathlamet.

Mystery ship in Astoria Anchorage

Mystery ship in Astoria Anchorage

I’ve been getting listener questions about a ship that seemed to be having difficulties in the Astoria Anchorage. Today I have the scoop on that vessel, which was having trouble with a steering pump.

Correction: today’s report referred to Brix tugs as being based in Cathlamet. They are in fact Portland-based. Brusco tugs are in Cathlamet.

The Voyages of the S/V Jane Franklin

Jan 17, 2020

This year on the Ship Report ,we’ll be following the voyages of Capt. Russ Roberts and his sailing yacht Jane Franklin, as Russ and his crew make their way from Miami, Florida, through the Panama Canal, to Hawaii and eventually to the Pacific Northwest. A rare glimpse into life on board a sailboat at sea, where crew members have only one another and their hardy craft to rely on. A true tale of life at sea.

In this first installment, the Jane Franklin leaves Miami and makes her way in difficult seas and high winds around Cuba toward the Panama Canal. A look at sailing in another part of the world.

Photo: the Jane Franklin and her crew safely at the dock on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, after making their way from Miami. Photo courtesy Russ Roberts.

You can follow the voyages of the good ship Jane Franklin online at https://www.svjanefranklin.org/

The Voyages of the S/V Jane Franklin

The Voyages of the S/V Jane Franklin

This year on the Ship Report ,we’ll be following the voyages of Capt. Russ Roberts and his sailing yacht Jane Franklin, as Russ and his crew make their way from Miami, Florida, through the Panama Canal, to Hawaii and eventually to the Pacific Northwest. A rare glimpse into life on board a sailboat at sea, where crew members have only one another and their hardy craft to rely on. A true tale of life at sea.

In this first installment, the Jane Franklin leaves Miami and makes her way in difficult seas and high winds around Cuba toward the Panama Canal. A look at sailing in another part of the world.

Photo: the Jane Franklin and her crew safely at the dock on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, after making their way from Miami. Photo courtesy Russ Roberts.

You can follow the voyages of the good ship Jane Franklin online at https://www.svjanefranklin.org/

What’s a bomb cyclone?

Jan 16, 2020

We’ve been having one heck of a bout of wintry weather here on the coast so far in 2020, but this week’s swirling storm off the Pacific was ominously called a “bomb cyclone.” Holy Orwell, what’s that? We’ll talk about what that meteorological term means.

What’s a bomb cyclone?

What’s a bomb cyclone?

We’ve been having one heck of a bout of wintry weather here on the coast so far in 2020, but this week’s swirling storm off the Pacific was ominously called a “bomb cyclone.” Holy Orwell, what’s that? We’ll talk about what that meteorological term means.

First responders suffer too when tragedy strikes

Jan 15, 2020

While news reports tend to focus on the details of harrowing rescues and tragic losses in maritime emergencies, there’s another seldom discussed dimension to rescues – the trauma suffered by first responders.

First responders suffer too when tragedy strikes

First responders suffer too when tragedy strikes

While news reports tend to focus on the details of harrowing rescues and tragic losses in maritime emergencies, there’s another seldom discussed dimension to rescues – the trauma suffered by first responders.

Rescued shipboard sheep get a good home

Jan 14, 2020

After so much sad news lately in our coastal communities, let’s hear a happier story: today’s Ship Report is about the numerous survivors of the sinking of a livestock carrier. The animals were some 180 sheep originally bound for slaughter, But the unlikely flock was rescued by an animal rights organization that will make sure they live happily ever after on a farm, instead of becoming someone’s dinner.

Rescued shipboard sheep get a good home

Rescued shipboard sheep get a good home

After so much sad news lately in our coastal communities, let’s hear a happier story: today’s Ship Report is about the numerous survivors of the sinking of a livestock carrier. The animals were some 180 sheep originally bound for slaughter, But the unlikely flock was rescued by an animal rights organization that will make sure they live happily ever after on a farm, instead of becoming someone’s dinner.