The Most Recent Ship Report Podcast:
Archive Podcasts:
New salmon regulations for mainstem Columbia River
Sep 22, 2020There are new rules afoot for commercial and recreational fishing on the mainstem Columbia River, slated to take effect next year. The new rules reverse some changes made seven years ago when commercial fishers were banned from the mainstem of the river. And commercial fishermen are now entitled to a larger share of the total allowed catch for the season.
Podcast: Play in new window
Bulk carriers on the Columbia
Sep 21, 2020There are basically two general types of bulk carriers we see on the Columbia: geared and gearless. Today we talk about what that means.
Podcast: Play in new window
A sailing RO-RO vessel in the works in Sweden
Sep 15, 2020There will soon be a sailing car carrier (RO-RO: roll on- roll off vessel) on the high seas, built in Sweden.
Podcast: Play in new window
Where there’s smoke, there’s fog… sound signals on the river
Sep 14, 2020We’re over our heads in wildfire smoke locally and that’s making for some foggy/smoky days on the river. Ships are noisier than usual, to keep themselves and their fellow travelers in other vessels safe from collisions. Let’s look at common ship horn signals you’re likely to hear on the river – a lot – this week.
Podcast: Play in new window
All ships have a lifespan and need to retire eventually
Sep 08, 2020All ships have a life span and need to retire eventually. The reason can be metal fatigue, when structural steel reaches the end of its flexibility and safety, often in the ship’s hull.
Podcast: Play in new window
Sea Story: Sinking of the Meteor, Part 2, with Michael McCusker
Sep 01, 2020Part 2 of a sea story: the tale of the sinking of the commercial crab boat, the Meteor, on the Columbia River Bar, as ony crewman and story teller extraordinaire Michael McCusker can tell it.
Podcast: Play in new window
Sea Story: The sinking of the Meteor, Part 1, with Michael McCusker
Aug 31, 2020This is the first of a two part archive interview from the early 2000’s, with former commercial fisherman and KMUN radio personality Michael McCusker. Michael was aboard the ill-fated crabber the Meteor, when she suddenly sank on the Columbia River Bar. It’s a great sea story, especially as only Michael can tell it.
Podcast: Play in new window
Uncertainty in COVID testing ends cruise early
Aug 25, 2020What ultimately turned out to be a false positive result on a COVID-19 test ended a cruise prematurely for a Seattle based cruise line.
Podcast: Play in new window
A look at the famous (infamous?) Buoy 10 fishery
Aug 18, 2020It’s Buoy 10 fishing season on the lower Columbia, a time that inspires trepidation in the hearts of ship pilots and helmsmen… all those little boats in the channel! We’ll talk about what to remember if you are in one of those small boats and a ship comes by.
Podcast: Play in new window
Mariner fatigue: a leading cause of accidents at sea
Aug 17, 2020Today we’ll talk about mariner fatigue, and how working long hours and not getting enough sleep can be a factor in accidents at sea.
Podcast: Play in new window

