The Most Recent Ship Report Podcast:

The busy upriver Columbia

We see a lot of ships go by on the lower river near Astoria, but the river upstream past Longview is often busier, with a variety of vessel traffic all doing local work: tugs and barges  hauling cargo, ship handling tugs, and ships being moved from anchorages to nearby berths.

Archive Podcasts:

How do you stop a tug and barge?

Sep 13, 2019

In this special Ship Report, I talk with retired tugboat Captain Phil Martin, all about the business of hauling things by tug and barge. Tugs and barges are among the workhorses of the merchant fleet, and barges are by far generally the most economical means of hauling cargo. Today we also talk about an interesting question: Since all voyages must end, and there are no brakes at sea, how do you stop a tug and barge?

Interview: Capt. Bruce Jones

Sep 09, 2019

Today on the Ship Report, we have a special interview to share: a chat with Capt. Bruce Jones, retired USCG commander of Air Station Astoria, current mayor of Astoria, and earlier in his career, a helicopter pilot. We’ll hear about what it takes to become a USCG pilot, and what it’s like to work with fellow Coast Guard personnel to save lives.

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