The Ship Report

How many ships will be off Astoria on NY's Eve? And, a look at the Dungness crab fisheryTomorrow is New Year's Eve, and we'll hopefully hear some ship horns off the Astoria waterfront. Today, we'll also take a look at the Dungeness Crab Fishery, which kicked off in the local area this past weekend.

End of the year stuff: New Year's Eve ship horns, and - the Ship Report is now on SubstackI'm gearing up once more to record ship horns on the Astoria waterfront again this year, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve - an annual tradition I happily seek out.I'll share the recording with you on January 5th, when the Ship Report returns for the New Year. We never know what it will like: how many ships will be there, how many will choose to participate. So it's always a surprise. Let's hope for good sounds and let's send our good wishes to the mariners on those ships for a good year for them as well as for all of us.Also, the Ship Report is now on Substack, an easy place for you to go to see all that I create, and other info I share - whether it be podcasts, marine weather, ship schedules and more. Look for The Ship Report on Substack and you'll find my new page.

A new storm looms for the coast, and - Santa is saved by the US Coast GuardWell, weather watchers are tracking an approaching storm that might (or might not) bring damaging winds to our area. We'll see how that shakes out.And today we'll hear a Ship Report holiday tradition: "Coastal Christmas," a retelling of the story of The Night Before Christmas, coastal- style. It's a book written by Long Beach Peninsula author Lynette Rae McAdams, illustrated by local artist Sally Lackaff.In this updated telling of the age-old tale: Santa is saved by the US Coast Guard after his sleigh ends up in the water, essentially saving Christmas. And Santa gets to head home to the North Pole with Dungeness Crab for Mrs. Santa.Happy Christmas to all!

'T is the season, for Dungeness crab, that isToday we'll talk about the opening at the end of this month of the 2025-26 Dungeness crab fishery in our local area. And hear an excerpt from a 2016 interview I did with a commercial crabber. His name is John Corbin, and he'll tell us a bit about the process of catching and harvesting Dungeness.

More weather as our next atmospheric river arrives todayThe fire hose of rain is aimed south of us in Clatsop County this time, but meteorologists predict we are looking at about and inch and half  in Astoria, and 3 inches or more Tillamook and points south.The big deal right now is a matter of time, rain and its long term effect on soils. It’s been raining for awhile now and we are seeing the effects of saturated soils on trees, roadbeds and power lines. I read an interesting piece about how the more soaked the ground gets, the less wind it takes to know down a tree. And we are seeing older roadbeds collapse and landslides claim land and dover roads. So be careful out there – things in the landscape may not be the way you last saw them when you next venture out.

Today, a real look at how weather can affect ship trafficWe've got some rowdy weather on the Columbia River Bar today and it may cause ships to be delayed until the weather's better. We'll take a look at how that sort of thing works and what you can expect.

Another round of atmospheric river conditions kicks in TuesdayWe seem to be in an atmospheric river phase at the moment: we'll talk about what to expect today from a maritime perspective.

Another atmospheric river today - let's look at what's nextWe'll be looking at more atmospheric river activity this week. We'll take a look at what to expect. The short answer: with already saturated soils in our region, be prepared for power outages, landslides and downed trees. We'll also take a look at today's ship schedule.

A look at crazy rainfall totals from our atmospheric river, and what's next...Today we'll take a look at some really crazy rainfall totals from this week's storm, and a look at what's next as next week unfolds. The short answer: more rain.

A break in the weather, but experts say there's more to come in this rainy DecemberWe haven't seen the last of atmospheric river activity this month, according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. We'll take a look at the long range forecast for what could shape up to be a very wet rest of December, and January.

Winter Boater Safety Inspection Event Dec. 27th in AstoriaIf you have a trailerable recreational boat registered in Oregon, consider bringing your boat down to the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Winter Boater Safety Inspection Station event later this month. If you have the right gear, you can get a 2026 Oregon Boater Safety Inspection sticker.It's happening Saturday, December 27 from 10 to 2, right across from Englund Marine at the Port of AstoriaYou'll need an up to date registration and some safety gear to qualify. It's not only the law, it's good safety stewardship for your vessel, the people you take on board, and any rescue personnel who might have to assist you in an emergency.Per the sheriff's office - To get your sticker, please bring the following six items:1. Current proof of registration for your boat2. Current registration year sticker posted next to your OR numbers3. Boater safety education course card or equivalent4. Non-expired, good-condition fire extinguisher5. Proper life jackets6. A throwable cushion or ring Depending on your vessel, you may also need a carburetor spark arrestor and a bilge fume blower.If you have questions, give the Clatsop County Sheriff's Marine Patrol office a call at 971-704-4465.

Atmospheric rivers on the wayA somewhat "geeky" look at our upcoming weather, which includes one, possibly two atmospheric rivers over the next week. I'll toss around (and explain) jargony terms like IVT and QPF, specific weather metrics that PNW meteorologists use to track weather intensity in rainy climates like ours.

The Great Coastal Gale of 2007 rememberedThis week in 2007, a series of damaging storms walloped our region, bringing high winds, rain and flooding, causing widespread damage.This week, we're looking at the usual wet winter weather. Eighteen years ago, it was a different story...Today, we remember the Great Coastal Gale of 2007.Special thanks to Long Beach Peninsula historian Frank Lehn, for his recollections shared in this show.

An Ilwaco tradition comes around again: The 19th annual Crabpot Tree lightingThis Saturday at 5 pm sharp, Ilwaco will hold its 19th annual Crabpot Christmas Tree lighting. It's a chance to come together to sing and honor a community tradition.The event also also honors beloved Ilwaco community member Clint Carter, who passed this year. He wrote the Crabpot Tree Carol, which you'll hear today on the show. This song is sung each year at the lighting of the tree, which is made entirely of Dungeness crabpots.

King Tides are back...We have another round of King Tides happening this week. Let's talk about what to expect, along with elevated sneaker wave risk on area beaches.

Holidays at seaIt's a good time of year to talk about holidays at sea, for sailors who are often far from home.

Barges: an integral part of the chain of commerceWe've seen a maritime story in the news recently about a barge that was taking on water in BC waters with containers on board. The story highlights how widely barges are used in marine commerce, although most of us don't notice they're out there, functioning as an integral part of the chain of commerce.In rural areas, they can also be a vital way for people to ship goods locally in a way that is much less expensive than other means.

A look at ships and cargoA look at who's on the river today, cargoes and anchorages.

A look at the weather, the ship schedule, and a note about short winter daysThe weather is about to do its thing again: wind, rain and elevated seas. Ships are coming and going as usual, so far. And for those feeling down about our short days, consider Utqiagvic (or Barrow), Alaska, which saw its last sunset of the year earlier this week. They'll live in darkness for 64 days until the sun returns in January.

Our third and final interview segment with long distance paddler Carmen PerezToday we'll hear the third and final segment of my interview with Carmen Perez, a long distance paddler who recently traveled 1200 miles in her canoe with her dog, Zuri.They traveled for two months, from the headwaters of the Columbia River in British Columbia to Clatsop Spit in Oregon, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean.