Slide Show: Hell & High Water
Captain Robert Johnson, who makes a living bringing the commercial ships of the world over the treacherous Columbia River bar.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
The South Korean Diamond Ray en route to Portland.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
The hull of the Diamond Ray plows towards Astoria.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
A Diamond Ray crew member waits for a tugboat to pick up the bar pilot.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
A tugboat approaches the Diamond Ray to pick up a departing bar pilot.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
The Diamond Ray heads on upriver toward Portland.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
Rearview of the massive car ship, Diamond Ray.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
A tugboat that fetches pilots once they’ve guided ships in from sea.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
Seahawk winch operator Michael Bruhn hoists bar pilot George Waer from the Tritonia.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
Seahawk co-pilot Michael Bruhn secures the hoist after leaving the deck of the Tritonia.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
The Seahawk helicopter takes a rare break at the Columbia Bar Pilots helicopter base in Astoria.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
Inside the wheel house of the Chinook.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
The Chinook pilot boat waits in the harbor for a call.
Photography by Michael Cogliantry
