Future of tug beyond 2009 depends on Congress

Published 6:36 am Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Monday’s agreement between the state and Crowley Maritime Corp. for a yearlong emergency response tug at Neah Bay is due to expire in mid-2009.

Permanent stationing of a rescue tug at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca depends on Washington, D.C.

Congressional efforts are expected to reach a critical juncture with a key Senate vote expected by Friday on legislation being pushed by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace.

Cantwell, who chairs of the Senate Commerce subcommittee on Fisheries and the Coast Guard, is attempting to pass legislation to require the maritime industry to fund the year-round emergency response tug.

It’s included in a Coast Guard Authorization Act that may be “hot-lined” with other noncontroversial bills for unanimous Senate approval this week, Ciaran Clayton, Cantwell’s communications chief, said Monday in a telephone interview.

If approved, it would be considered by the House of Representatives, with a final bill further shaped in conference committee.