Operation Deep Freeze

This weekend, a USCG icebreaker departs from Seattle on a three-month mission: to clear a channel through thick ice in Antarctica to McMurdo station, opeing a path for supply vessels to reach a research facility at the bottom of the world.

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The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Each year, I commemorate the loss of this beloved ship on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. She was beloved to people around the region, who called her “The Mighty Fitz.” She and her crew hauled iron ore between Canada and the US for 17 years. Then one night, in a terrible storm, she was lost with all hands, in one of the worst maritime tragedies in U.S. History. This is my annual tribute to the sailors and families of the Mighty Fitz.

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US cargo ports in line to get federal help with slowdowns

A look at a statement yesterday from the Biden administration on ways to speed up deliveries of bogged down cargo containers, as the president speaks with big box executives about solutions.

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West Coast terminals impose fees for bogged down cargo

A look at an emerging trend in the bogged down cargo mess: West Coast terminals assessing fees on containers that just sit there for long periods without moving through the supply chain. In an increasingly expensive shipping environment, this isn’t very good news, but understandable for terminal owners.

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A miracle story from the frozen north

There’s a lot of upsetting news to be had these days, so it’s so great when we get to share a story that’s truly lovely.

The story starts when a fishing boat runs aground in Alaska and her crew needs help. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescues the fishermen, but there’s still one missing – their 80 pound lab mix puppy, Grace, who went overboard as the boat capsized.

The next day when the Coast Guard came back to assess the aftermath of the incident, they discovered a small miracle on the beach: Grace – cold, but unharmed, and certainly living up to her name.

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King Tides – a time to watch the ocean from a safe distance

It’s King Tide time on the coast, and that means abnormally high tides. This natural phenomenon happens every winter. This weekend, we’ll see high tides reaching 9 feet, and extra low minus tides. That, combined with storm induced high swells on the beach, and elevated sneaker wave risk, can create a life threatening situation for unwary storm watchers.

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Pilot boats: a special breed

Today a look at a special vessel that is commonly seen on the Astoria waterfront: the pilot boat that takes pilots to and from passing ships. These boats are specially designed for demanding work that other boats avoid at all costs – coming in contact with the hull of a moving ship, and transporting pilots safely as they do a dangerous job.

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Shipping companies post record profits in the pandemic

A look at how some of the big container lines are faring in terms of profits in 2021. Turns out they’re having a banner year, with record profits in the billions, despite backups and cargo slowdowns.

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The Seafarers Happiness Index 2021

A look at an ongoing mariner survey called the Seafarer’s Happiness Index, which tracks workers’ level of satisfaction at sea. We’ll see how the pandemic affected things, and how they stand now.

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Missing containers in BC waters

Today we’ll take a look at what happens to missing shipping containers when they go overboard, especially if they float. In this case, containers that recently fell off the Zim Kingston in the waters off British Columbia. Floating containers are subject to local currents, as well as wind and weather.

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