ABOUT THE COOPERATIVE

The Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) is a non-profit corporation that provides oil spill contingency plan coverage and emergency response system to vessels in Washington waters (except the waters of the Columbia and Snake Rivers) that are not otherwise covered by their own state approved contingency plan. In the event of an oil spill or threatened spill the system provides a response that may include, but is not limited to, response vessels, boom equipment, skimmers, a qualified incident commander and response personnel. WSMC utilizes the services of Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and Global Diving & Salvage (GDS) to maintain a response network of equipment and personnel. Communications and administrative services are provided under contract by the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound.

WSMC is a membership organization with a board of directors. Seven directors represent the various segments of the maritime industry that are covered and assessed by the cooperative: fishing, tank barge, ferries, US flag liner, foreign liner/cruise, tanker and foreign non-liner vessels.

NEAH BAY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TOWING VESSEL

In 2009, the Washington State legislature passed ESSB 5344 which became effective July 1, 2010 (the "Act"). This Act requires all Covered Vessels to provide an emergency response towing vessel ("ERTV") stationed at Neah Bay, Washington, if a Covered Vessel transits the ERTV Transit Area. The Act defines the ERTV Transit Area to cover all Covered Vessel transits to or from a Washington port through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, except for transits extending no further west than Race Rocks Light. Contingency plans for Covered Vessels operating in the Strait of Juan de Fuca must now also enroll with the ERTV Compliance Group for coverage. Enrollment with ERTV Compliance Group is done using the ERTV Enrollment Form. WSMC members can use their combined WSMC/ERTV Schedule of Vessel Information with the ERTV Enrollment Form. More information on the ERTV, assessment schedules and FAQs can be found on the ERTV Webpage.

CANADIAN COVERAGE (WCMRC RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT)

For oil spill contingency planning purposes of the Canada Shipping Act, WSMC covered vessels outbound from Puget Sound must have a Juan de Fuca agreement on file with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC). This agreement will only entitle you to transit the Canadian waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and does not permit you to call at a Canadian port or to transit any other Canadian waters. WCMRC fees for this limited purpose are waived. Juan de Fuca registration forms must be filled out and submitted each year to the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia via fax: 604-681-4364 or email: operations@cosbc.ca. Please use the following links for the latest Juan de Fuca agreements:

• Non-Tanks Vessels: Juan de Fuca Non-Bulk Oil Agreement

• Tank Vessels: Juan de Fuca Bulk Oil Agreement

For the full WSMC/WCMRC Reciprocal Agreement: Click Here.

QUICK LINKS

Enrolled vessels can be viewed by clicking: Here.

NOTE: If you have not received your VRP control number please indicate "pending" on the enrollment form and include the submitted date. You may email WSMC with that information once it has been received.  

Click Here for Enrollment Instructions and Forms

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

ALTERNATES

OSRO REPRESENTATIVES

LEGAL COUNSEL

Markus Oberg
LeGros Buchanan & Paul