This week’s theme is People – the people who work on board and those who interact with the ships while they’re on the river. The maritime world is full of people, and we hardly ever see them. Today we’ll talk a bit about the crews on the ships.

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Today we continue our series about the Columbia River. Today’s topic: the fact that our lower river is called a “salt water wedge estuary.” We’ll talk about what that means, and why marine pilots consider it one of the river’s many quirks that they need to take into account with regard to ships.

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This week we’re talking about the Columbia River, and focusing on a different aspect of the river each day. Today we’ll talk about all that water that flows by our doorsteps every day. We’ll do a few comparisons that may help you understand how massive and formidable the river truly is, and why it should be treated with great respect at all times..

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Today I thought we might start a weeklong look at the Columbia River starting today with a brief overview of river history.

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We’ll take a look at ships traveling on the river today, talk about cargo and why some ships anchor at both ends instead of just at the bow. We’ll also talk a little about what might be in store, in terms of snow on the coast, over the next few days.

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Today, we’ll talk a little more about the critical skills and talents that mariners and first responders need to have, all part of the broad umbrella of skills that comrise situational awareness.

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Today we have a USNS ship heading downriver, a not uncommon sight here on the Columbia. That offers a great opportunity to talk about the MIlitary Sealift Command, what they do, how they differ from regular Navy ships and a bit about today’s vessel in paticular, the USNS Guadalupe.

Photo courtesy US Navy: PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 4, 2022) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) conducts replenishment-at-sea with fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Taylor Crenshaw)

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Today we’ll talk about something that mariners and some specialized land-based jobs share: the need for “situational awareness.” That’s the abillity to pay focused attention to what’s going on around you, and being able to respond appropriately. That means remaining calm, and no panicking.

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Today, a look at how ships navigate, and how different things are now from the way they were before the invention of GPS.

Photo: Public Domain, US Navy. Crewman using a sextant.

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Today, in the context of today’s ships, we’ll talk about cargo, anchorages and why ships are such an efficient means of travel. And take a look at when our amazing stretch of beautiful but cold weather might end.

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