NEAH BAY – A new rescue tug company will take over coverage of the Strait of Juan de Fuca today.
The state Department of Ecology signed up Florida-based Crowley Maritime Corp. to station a company rescue tugboat at Neah Bay in November.
The tugboat will assist ships in need so that they do not drift onto rocks, a statement from the department said.
A rescue tug has been stationed at Neah Bay since the spring of 1999 to help assist disabled ships traveling off the coast and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
During this time, rescue tugs have come to the aid of more than 30 disabled ships.
Under the new contract, Crowley Maritime, based in Jacksonville, Fla., will provide rescue tug service from Jan. 1 through March or April for $8,500 a day plus fuel.
The agreement fills a gap created when Foss Maritime opted out of its contract in August due to a shortage of tugs.
In pulling out of the contract, Foss agreed to keep a rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay from Nov. 1 through until Dec. 31.
Compared to other seasons, winter, with its storms, carries a higher risk of oil spills from the more than 7,000 tankers and cargo ships traveling through the Strait each year.
