Upriver challenges for ships on the Columbia

Yesterday we talked about the many challenges bar pilots face guiding ships between Astoria and the mouth of the river (the Columbia River Bar). Today we’ll touch on the upriver and even more seldom-scene leg of the river: the 100-mile segment between Astoria and Portland. It’s a winding and dangerous stretch of river, fraught with its own challenges that also require great ship-handling expertise and finesse.

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Why the Columbia River is so challenging

I talk about this topic from time to time on the show, because there are so many facets to it. Today we’ll take a look at the challenges the river poses for arriving ships, from the unsual underwater geology offshore, to the daunting currents along the winding river corridor. It’s a matter for experienced marine pilots who make critical navigational decisions on the fly every day.

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What we know about the Carnival Panorama’s return to Astoria

For some folks, this story is just the quirky odyssey of a cruise ship with mechanical problems. For others, who have holiday cruises planned on the Carnival Panorama, dreams for long-awaited family gatherings are at stake, as technicians work to repair the ship before holiday cruises in December.

Today we’ll talk about what’s next, as least what we know so far, and how to track the Carnival Panorama if you’re waiting on pins and needles to see what happens.

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Geez Louise, sneaker waves and king tides this weekend

We’ll take a look at the double whammy of high sneaker wave risk and king tides this weekend. All of that means if you absolutely must go to the beach, be extra vigilant. If you’re sightseeing, consider high up places that overlook the beach.

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Sneaker wave risk is high this weekend, let’s talk about what to do if you’re at the beach

The National Weather service is warning residents and visitors that sneaker wave risk is elevated this holiday weekend at beaches in NW Oregon and SW Washington. The weather will be great – and folks will want to head to the beach to enjoy it.

So how can you protect yourself from deadly sneaker waves? We’ll talk about that today.

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Why a “slow day” on the river can be deceiving for those on shore

Today we’ll talk about something that seems to worry folks who watch the river: they see a day or so when there are no ships arriving or departing, or waiting in an anchorage nearby, and they tend to assume the worst about the state of commerce on the river.

Today we’ll talk about the comings and goings of ships, what the factors are, and why a slow day on the river is not a cause for alarm. That’s because there’s always a lot happening on the river that we “landlubbers” do not see. In fact, some ports are seeing record cargoes.

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The Carnival Panorama heads to Canada to get her “whale tail” funnel removed

In what I am beginning to call the “Amazing Saga of the Carnival Panorama,” the mechanically-ailing cruise ship that spent a week in Astoria trying to figure out a workaround to get to the shipyard in Portland, has “left the building,” at least for the moment.

She headed out to sea yesterday afternoon from the Port of Astoria, to make her way to British Columbia, to a shipyard that can remove her huge “whale tail” funnel so she can fit under the Columbia River’s fixed bridges.

Once that’s done, she’ll be back to the Columbia to head to drydock in Portland.

And yes, to anwer that quite reasonable question folks have been asking: she has to go to Portland. Other regional shipyards are apparently full. And she’s having steering and proplusion problems, so traveling far from the PNW to another yard is probably not an option.

Photo: Joanne Rideout. The Carnival Panorama at the Port of Astoria at dusk on Sunday, shortly before she departed for British Columbia.

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How tall is “too tall”? A closer look at why that cruise ship can’t just go upriver

Today we’ll take a look at the numbers about why the Carnival Panorama cruise ship, currently at the Port of Astoria, can’t just go upriver without modifications. How tall is the ship as she currently sits? And what’s the clearance on the fixed bridges on the river?

Also, a shout out about a meeting Saturday afternoon in Astoria for an open house for the Sea Scouts. It’sa century-old group affiliated with Boy Scouts of America, and it’s a co-ed organization for kids who want to learn more about boats and all things maritime.

Note about photo: this is the stack that is causing so many problems for the Carnival Panorama. Look closely at the picture for scale. It’s huge adn no doubt very heavy. And it has to be removed.

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A look at today’s schedule and what may be next for the Carnival Panorama

We’ll take a look at ship traffic today, and also talk about what may be next for that huge cruise ship that is currently at the Port of Astoria with no passengers on board, awaiting repairs and removal of her stack so she can fit under bridges on the river.

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The “too-tall” Carnival Panorama’s odd arrival in Astoria

We’ll have a cruise ship at the Port of Astoria today, but cruise season is over here. Its not a pleasure trip.

The ship, the Carnival Panorama, has no passengers on board and is struggling with mechanical issues. She’s stopping at the Port of Astoria to see if she can solve a few things before she heads to the shipyard at Swan Island in Portland.

The issue: her smoke stack assembly is too tall to fit under the fixed bridges on the Columbia. The short answer is they’ll have to be removed. But how that will happen was still being worked out as of yesterday evening.

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