The state funded emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay is an important safety net to prevent disabled ships and barges from grounding in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca or off our outer coast.

On March 24, 2009, Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation to shift funding responsibility of the emergency response tug boat at Neah Bay, which the state has funded since 1999, from the state to the maritime industry. 

Meanwhile, the 2008–09 state contract to station the tug at Neah Bay stands at $3.7 million.  In the 2009–10 fiscal year, the governor has proposed spending $3.6 million to fund the vessel.

Important future dates in the 2009 legislation include:

• July 1, 2010: Tug must be stationed at Neah Bay
• October 31, 2009: Industry progress report to Legislature.
• December 1, 2009: Another industry progress report to Legislature.
• December 1, 2009: Vessel plans must document how compliance will be achieved.

Since 1999, the tug has deployed to stand by or directly assist 43 vessels that were either completely disabled or had reduced maneuvering ability. On eight of these responses the tug had to take the disabled vessels in tow to prevent them from drifting onto the rocks and spilling oil. The actions taken in those eight cases helped prevent a combined spill potential of nearly 5 million gallons of oil.