BARBARA FOSS on Station at Neah Bay

Department of Ecology has contracted with Foss Maritime Services for commercial tug services, including rescue standby and operational drills, at the western end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and along Washington's outer coast.

The tug that is now on station is the BARBARA FOSS, a 4,300 horsepower twin-screw tugboat rated for ocean service. The tug is 126 feet long, 35 feet wide, and has a maximum draft of 16 feet when fully loaded with fuel. It has two EMD main engines that drive two conventional propellers to create 142,600 pounds of bollard pull. The free-running speed is approximately 12.5 knots. It has fuel capacity of over 100,000 gallons of diesel, allowing extended tows.

The BARBARA FOSS has been specifically outfitted and the crew specially trained to support its mission as a dedicated rescue tug.

The BARBARA FOSS has been stationed at Neah Bay for several seasons. Foss Maritime Services has previously used the tug for a wide range of tasks, including rescue work as well as towing heavy barges and ships on many trans-ocean voyages.