To WSMC members:

You may have recently received a letter from the State of Washington Department of Ecology concerning the Neah Bay response tug requirements.  As you probably know, the State of Washington’s legislature enacted a new law requiring that all State approved oil spill response contingency plans include a provision for an emergency towing vessel to be stationed at Neah Bay on July 1, 2010.

I assure our members that WSMC is working to make arrangements for this on behalf of WSMC’s members and covered vessels.

WSMC is participating in an industry workgroup that has been considering how to best comply with this new Washington State law.

WSMC intends to make the required addition to its Washington State blanket Oil Spill Contingency Plan in accordance with the requirements of Washington law and the recommendation of the Neah Bay tug workgroup.

In order to pay for the cost of the emergency towing vessel, there will be an additional vessel assessment fee for all covered vessels passing in/out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  This fee will apply to all covered vessels (vessels covered by WSMC’s contingency plan and those vessels covered by other plan holders).  The amount of the assessment fee is not yet known.  It may be necessary to start collecting the fee in advance of the July 1, 2010 date for stationing the tug at Neah Bay in order to make certain that a suitable tug is selected and committed to the service prior to the deadline date.  All of this is being discussed by the Neah Bay Tug industry workgroup and will be determined after the tug search and contracting are complete.

WSMC will keep you informed of developments.  In the meantime, if you have specific questions, please contact me at 425.486.3501 or rogermowery@comcast.net.

Best regards,

Roger Mowery

Executive Director