The Most Recent Ship Report Podcast:

Who’s on the river today? And, our change in the weather could include snow

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.

Archive Podcasts:

Microplastics in the Columbia River, Part 2

Dec 23, 2021

In this two part Ship Report, we’re talking about microplastics in our waters and in the Columbia River in particular. In a recent online talk sponsored by Columbia Riverkeeper, we hear from Idaho professor and researcher Kirsten Kapp, who studies microplastics – tiny bits of plastic – in our natural environment.

Today we look at microplastics in our Columbia River water, and what we as citizens and consumers can do about it.

Microplastics in the Columbia River, Part 1

Dec 22, 2021

In this two part Ship Report, we’re talking about microplastics in our waters and in the Columbia River in particular. In a recent online talk sponsored by Columbia Riverkeeper, we hear from Idaho professor and researcher Kirsten Kapp, who studies microplastics – tiny bits of plastic – in our natural environment.

In Part 1 today we look at where microplastics come from and where they end up.

The macabre and queasy maritime story of artificial vanilla extract

Dec 21, 2021

It’s a hard to believe scenario with multiple layers: yes, vanilla extract is found in our waterways around the holidays in embarrassing quantities, courtesy of our sewer systems.

Worse, it’s mostly artificial vanilla extract – not even the real thing. But that’s not all.

Today we took a look at the oddly spicey pollutants in our waters at this time of year, and where artificial vanilla flavor really comes from.

Spoiler: it’s probably best that you not be eating when you listen to this one, and our story has to do with a furry, water-loving animal called a beaver.

Image: Engraving of a Beaver. Thomas Pennant, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Behold the latest in cargo shipping convenience: the Supersack

Dec 10, 2021

As container shipping continues to be snarled in ports worldwide, customers are switching gears and moving cargo the old-fashioned way: on general cargo ships in huge bags called “supersacks.”

Photo: Supersacks on the ground awaiting transport. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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