Oil Patch Bits: Crowley tug contract extended in Washington

Crowley Maritime Corp. said June 16 that the Washington Department of Ecology has extended its contract agreement with Crowley to station a state-funded emergency response tug at Neah Bay for another full year of service beginning July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

Under the $3.6 million extension agreement, an emergency response tug will remain at Neah Bay to prevent disabled ships and barges from drifting onto rocks and causing oil spills in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington’s outer coast. The contract marks the final year the state will pay for the emergency response tug service. On March 24, 2009, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation that shifted funding responsibility for the Neah Bay tug from the state to the maritime industry beginning July 1, 2010. The new law will ensure a high-capability ocean-going tug is permanently deployed at Neah Bay year round.