VANCOUVER, Wash. – Ever wondered what it’s like to be a river pilot or locomotive engineer? Or how soybeans from North Dakota make it all the way to China? Maybe you’ve wondered what those wooden structures in the Columbia River are and how they help vessels of all kinds safely navigate the river.

The Port of Vancouver USA hopes to answer these questions and more through a lecture series featuring industry experts who will share knowledge, personal experiences and fascinating facts about how railroads and the maritime industry work, how products move by road, river and rail, and how ports connect us to the global marketplace.

WHAT:          Port of Vancouver USA 2017 lecture series
WHEN:          Feb. 13 and 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE:        Terminal 1 Gulls Nest Conference Room, 100 Columbia Street, Vancouver (former Red Lion hotel)

The Feb. 13 lecture features Columbia River pilot Capt. Paul Amos and Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Executive Director Kristin Meira. Capt. Amos will share his knowledge and firsthand experiences in the tug and barge industry, and towing vessels on the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers. Meira will discuss the importance of a reliable, efficient and sustainable river system to our way of life in the Pacific Northwest.

The Feb. 23 lecture features Port of Vancouver USA Director of Operations Todd Krout and Rail Manager Wayne Harner. Krout and Harner have decades of experience in facilities and rail operations. They will share their deep knowledge of rail infrastructure, safety, cargo movement, railroad jobs and railcar types typically seen in Southwest Washington. Harner is also a locomotive engineer with direct experience working with today’s technologically advanced rail equipment and systems.

These are just the first of several lectures the port plans in 2017 on a variety of topics. Seats are limited and those interested in attending are encouraged to sign up early. To register, call 360-693-3611 or email rsvp@portvanusa.com.

– POV –

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.