For Immediate Release

February 5, 1999

Remarks of Rep. Norm Dicks On
Neah Bay Response Tug

We are here today to announce that the United States Navy will conduct what we are calling an "operational evaluation" of oil spill response capability beginning March 1st and extending for 60 days by stationing a standby response tugboat near the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Navy has made an arrangement with an existing contractor, Crowley Marine Services of Seattle, to station this ship at or near the vicinity of Neah Bay, Washington during a planned area-wide oil spill drill. Following that exercise the tug will remain on station to continue demonstrating spill response capability and to continue to provide valuable data for an ongoing Coast Guard study of additional safety measures to prevent collisions and oil spills in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This study of additional safety measures will build upon the voluntary work by the shipping industry here in the Northwest in devising and implementing the International Tug of Opportunity System -- a cost-effective means of assuring quick response to marine emergencies. One of the strategies suggested by safety and environmental advocates in our area, the concept of stationing a rescue tug near the entrance to the Strait is being carefully studied by the Coast Guard. This 60 day operational evaluation during the winter and spring will give us a very relevant analysis of both its cost and operational effectiveness. Of course, during the period of this exercise, the tugboat would remain available and "on call" to respond to any actual emergencies that occur in the vicinity.

I am looking forward to the completion of the Coast Guard study later this year, and I am convinced that the experience gained from this tugboat deployment will make a very valuable contribution to the effort. Among other exercises, there will be a series of mock distress calls simulating various on-the-water emergencies during the next 60 days, and I believe these live demonstrations can add "real world" experience to the theoretical analysis.

I would also commend both the Navy and members of our maritime industry who will voluntarily participate in real-time ship drift exercises as well. These drift tests are an important element that will assure us the additional measures study has valid data on which we can base our longer-term policy for our state’s waters. This is real progress. And I am proud of the Navy’s responsiveness to what has been a serious environmental concern here in the Northwest.

The Navy is making a powerful statement today with this action. There is a recognition in the Pentagon, and certainly Admiral Center and his staff here agree, that Puget Sound is perhaps the Navy’s most environmentally sensitive major home port. The Navy’s action in contributing to the additional measures study is truly a sign of good stewardship. And from my recent discussions with the Chief of Naval Operations and the highest Navy officials responsible for environmental policy, I believe this is a sign of a reaffirmed commitment to protecting the marine environment we cherish here in the Pacific Northwest. The United States Navy is proud to call Puget Sound its home and as part of its improved effort to enhance safety and prevent oil spills, the service is very visibly demonstrating its willingness to "go the extra mile" in protecting our environment. I want to personally thank the Navy and Admiral Center, who is represented here today by Captain Steve Slayton, for stepping up to this responsibility and for taking a leadership role.

I would like thank Admiral Paul Blayney for his work on guiding an objective review and to the many stakeholders whose participation is essential for a consensus-based policy to emerge. And let me also recognize Governor Gary Locke and his interest on issues of maritime safety and the environment. I appreciate his support of the Navy’s efforts and I know that he will be following this issue closely over the coming months. He, along with his Director of the Department of Ecology, Tom Fitzsimmons, will help ensure the state of Washington’s views and expertise are actively incorporated into this review. And finally, since this issue has been a high priority for Vice President Gore and Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, I want to emphasize that they have both played a role in assuring that this Navy demonstration program was approved.

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