The Most Recent Ship Report Podcast:
Archive Podcasts:
Car carriers, ballast water, and the complexity of modern ships
Mar 12, 2024Today, a listener question about car carriers and ballast water. We’ll talk about how highly automated many systems are on modern ships and how a computer malfunction can lead to dangerous ballast water problems.
Photo: The Cougar Ace car carrier on its side in the Pacific after a computer issue in 2006 caused her ballast water tanks to become unbalanced. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
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Running aground: how it can happen and what ships do about it
Mar 11, 2024Today, a question about ships on the Columbia running aground: why it sometimes happens and what ships do about it.
It’s not a common occurrence but when it happens, it’s a maritime emergency, and pilots and crews take swift action to get things under control.
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Arriving ship’s short turnaround time highlights fast-paced world of cargo
Mar 08, 2024A ship arrives one day on the rive and leaves in less than 24 hours. It’s an example of the fast-paced world of cargo handling, which can leave car and container ship crews hard-pressed with little chance to rest before heading back out into the wintry Pacific.
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Familiar cruise ship will no longer visit Astoria as company folds
Mar 07, 2024Residents and visitors to Astoria may remember the big red and white paddlewheel cruise ship, the American Empress, that used to dock at the 17th Street dock by the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The company that owns her, American Queen Voyages, has ceased operations, and that ship will no longer be a familiar sight in Astoria during cruise season.
But lovers of river cruises can take heart: there will still be cruises on the river, offered by other companies. We’ll talk about the American Empress, and other cruise options that remain.
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Annual Columbia River lock closures happening this week affect vessel traffic upriver from Portland and Vancouver
Mar 06, 2024Today we’ll talk about an annual event that began this week: it’s the annual, temporary closing of the US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District locks at the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams.
Each year the locks close for two weeks to allow technicians to inspect them and repair and maintain the equipment. It’s an essential preventive step that helps keep the Columbia Snake River system carrying commerce year round.
Downriver ports know it’s happening so they can plan around it, and some even do their own maintenance during that time.
Image: Aerial view of the Columbia River and the Bonneville Dam, courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers.
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Portland’s quite nautical Tilikum Crossing bridge, and more about Chinese manufactured GM cars coming into Portland
Mar 05, 2024A little additional info regarding yesterday’s show about Chinese-built GM autos being imported into Portland, and a look at the Tilikum Crossing, an unusual Portland bridge that has unique nautical features.
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Chinese car carriers arriving in Portland: what’s on board?
Mar 04, 2024Today, an answer to a listener question about car carriers arriving in Portland from China: are there Chinese cars on board?
Turns out the answer is complex: yes and no. No Chinese brands are on board, but there are GM cars arriving here, which were manufactured in China. We’ll also talk about some of the issues around potentially importing Chinese brand vehicles to the US.
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Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 5
Mar 01, 2024Today, Part 5 of a weeklong look at the life and work of a USCG rescue swimmer, from the Ship Report archives.
The Ship Report is taking a break this week. Regular reports, ship schedules and marine weather return Monday, Mar 4.
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Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 4
Feb 29, 2024This week, a look back in the Ship Report archives at the life and work of a USCG rescue swimmer.
The Ship Report is taking a little time off this week. Regular reports, ship schedules and marine weather return Monday, March 4.
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Archive interview: a chat with a USCG rescue swimmer, Part 3
Feb 28, 2024Today is Part 3 of archive interviews this week with a USCG rescue swimmer. A fascinating look at the folks who rescue us when we get in trouble on the water.
The Ship Report is taking a little time off this week to recharge. Regular Ship Reports, ship schedules, and marine weather return on Monday, March 4.
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