07/12/2007: "Rescue Tug Coverage To Remain"

Crowley Maritime Corp has agreed to continue a contract with the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to station a company rescue tug at Neah Bay for winter 2007-08.

Winter storms present a higher risk of oil spills from the more than 7,000 tankers and cargo ships traveling through the Strait each year. Cargo ships can carry more than 2 million gallons of fuel oil, and oil barges or tankers can carry up to 40 million gallons of oil.

A rescue tug has been stationed at Neah Bay since spring 1999. The tug has stood by or assisted 34 ships that were disabled or had reduced maneuvering or propulsion capability while transporting oil and other cargo along the coast and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The actions helped ensure the ships didn't drift onto rocks and spill oil.

"The Neah Bay area is sacred to the Makah Tribe and Washington's coast is a world-class treasure," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "Having a rescue tug stationed in the area, especially during the stormy winter months, means we can work to prevent catastrophic oil spills, keeping our beaches beautiful and our industries, such as shellfish, fishing and tourism, healthy as well.

"Flanked by the Olympic National Park along the coast and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, thousands of ships, including oil tankers loaded with more than 40 million gallons of oil, traverse state waters every year," she said. "It is staggering just how much environmental damage a large spill in the region could cause."

"We know that having a tug at Neah Bay has and will continue making a difference," said Oil Spill Advisory Council chairman Mike Cooper. "Last season alone, the Crowley tug was deployed five times. Every time a ship is disabled at sea, there is a serious risk of a catastrophic oil spill. Due to this risk, the Council has recommended that a tug be permanently stationed at Neah Bay to provide year round protection."

Gregoire and Cooper noted that U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is working on a measure to have a rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay year round. The Senator is still working on her proposal, and in a radio interview last April, Councilman Kevin Ranker predicted that Gregoire would in fact fund the tug if Cantwell was unable to obtain funding in time for the winter season ((previous story)).

"It is critical we have a rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay. The area is one of the most environmentally sensitive and valuable areas of Washington," said Dale Jensen, who oversees spill prevention, preparedness and response activities for Ecology. "If oil is spilled, the damage to our environment starts and oil is all but impossible to contain, even during the best weather conditions."