A ship with engine trouble in the river

Yesterday we saw another ship with engine trouble on the lower Columbia, and she was close enough to Astoria to attract a lot of attention. It’s a good opportunity to talk about how our river professionals, master mariners and their colleagues, handle an unexpected crisis.

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What happens to old ships?

Today we coast a little on the energy of the Fisher Poets Gathering, and hear a song by the late Jon Campbell of Rhode Island, all about what happened to one ship, an old and somewhat ordinary coastal tanker, when she was too old to go to sea anymore. It’s called “The Mary,” and it’s one of his best works.

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Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 5 in a series this week

The final installment in our series about Samantha Steerman, a dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. An inside look at a little-known job. Her work is vital to the safe passage of ships on the river.

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Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 4 in a series this week

Day 4 in our 5-part series about Samanta Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. She’s part of a team of skilled professionals that make it possible for ships to enter and leave the complex and challenging Columbia River.

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Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 3 in a series this week

Day three of our series about Samanta Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Her job is demanding and essential to keeping ship traffic safe on the river.

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Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 2 in a series this week

Today we continue our look at a little known aspect of the maritime industry – we’re talking with Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. He work is essential to the safe passage of huge cargo ships on the river.

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Samantha Steerman, dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots – Part 1 in a series this week

This week I’m taking a time off, and so we’ll be hearing a series of interviews I did last summer with an impressive local maritime professional: Samantha Steerman. She’s one of the behind the scenes essential people who help make things run smoothly for big ships on the river.

Samantha is currently the dispatcher for the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria. But she has a long history working in the maritime industry locally. This week we’ll hear segments from my interview with her. Enjoy this glimpse into a vital but seldom-seen role in the maritime industry.

This series first aired in late July and early August last year.

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A woman’s perspective on commercial fishing

Today more from past Fisher Poet performances, as we welcome the annual Fisher Poets Gathering back to Astoria live this weekend, for the first time since 2020.  Today we’ll hear from long time FPG presenter, Fisher Poet Erin Fristad.

KMUN will be broadcasting live from the Liberty Theater from 5-10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Joanne Rideout will be your radio host both evenings.

You can hear KMUN locally at 91.9 fm in Astoria, 89.5 fm in Tillamook. Streaming live at kmun.org. Or use the KMUN app!

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Freezing Spray Advisory highlights the dangers of cold temps and steep seas for commercial vessels

The only folks likely to be out in these stormy waters this time of year are cargo ships, fishing boats and the Coast Guard. All need to pay attention to the Freezing Spray Advisory, which is currently in our marine forecast.

We’ll talk today about what that means and why most fishing vessels have headed into port.

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Fisher Poets Retrospective

This weekend the Fisher Poets Gathering returns live to Astoria, Oregon, after a two-year digital stint during the pandemic. Now once again familiar downtown venues will be filled with music, poetry and storytelling about life at sea in the commercial fishing industry.

Today we remember one of the FPG’s greats, Jon Campbell, whose gritty, profund and often hilarious songs entertained us, made us laugh and cry. John passed away in 2022, but his spirit lingers on in the hearts of all those who love fisher poets and their work.

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