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A look at Baltmore’s salvage efforts, and big ships on our river
Apr 05, 2024Today an update on how things are going in Baltimore, and a bit about a huge container ship that is on our river right now: the containership MSC Flavia, which by some measures is even larger than the containerhip Dali in Baltimore harbor.
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Unusual ships on the river today, and Astoria’s paddlewheeler may be back
Apr 04, 2024A look at our ship schedule, which includes a military cargo ship and a missile tracking defense vessel. And a bit of good news about the American Empress, the paddlewheel cruise ship that used to be at Astoria’s 17th St. dock until her company folded. Another company has bought her and she may be back.
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Car manufacturing: a global phenomenon
Apr 03, 2024Answering a listener question about a car carrier with Toyotas headed for the Port of Portland. Today we’ll talk about the many countries in which familiar autos brands are manufactured, including vehicles from American companies.
These days our cars, and the parts that comprise them, are made around the world. It’s part of our global economy.
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Cargo on the River
Apr 02, 2024Today we’ll take a look at the ships on the river today from a slightly different perspective: a closer look at what’s on board and what it’s used for.
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The daily rhythm of life on the river goes on
Apr 01, 2024Today, it’s another beautiful day on the river, and we have another opportunity to see the rhythm of daily life passing by: our 90 percent of everything on ships, a wonderful part of life on our river.
It’s something we love, and that hasn’t changed – despite tragic national events.
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A look at who’s on the river, and better weather on the way
Mar 29, 2024Today we’ll do an overview of who’s on the river in terms of ships, with a few asides about anchorages, car carriers, ship names and when ships are allowed to cross the bar in bad weather.
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Offshore weather bringing winds and rain
Mar 28, 2024Today we’ll take a look at the weather, which includes an interesting storm system offshore – and be grateful that it’s missing us.
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Baltimore’s bridge disaster
Mar 27, 2024The horrific scene in Baltimore harbor strikes fear into communities like ours, where we have a big river and big bridges with ships passing under them.
Today we’ll talk about what’s known so far about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor after it was hit by a huge containership early Tuesday morning.
We’ll also talk about whether that could happen here on the Columbia.
Photo: The Astoria Megler Bridge has protective barriers around its supports that could protect it from the impact of a vessel. Joanne Rideout 3/26/24
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Waves and storms
Mar 26, 2024We’re getting some stormy weather this week again, and that’s a good time to talk about why and how storms cause waves to get higher and more dangerous, and generally cause havoc at sea.
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Farewell, Fisher Poet Clem Starck
Mar 25, 2024Today we honor Clemens Starck, award-winning Oregon poet and author who was a regular performer at the annual Fisher Poet’s Gathering in Astoria.
Clem passed away last week at the age of 86, but his evocative work lives on.
Today we’ll learn a bit about his varied life, and hear him readi a poem he wrote from his days as a merchant mariner, about the sinking of a ship in the north Pacific.
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