For Immediate Release

November 12, 1999

REP. DICKS APPLAUDS VP’s PLAN
FOR RESCUE TUG IN STRAIT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) today applauded Vice President Al Gore’s efforts to station an emergency response tugboat at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the winter months.

       "The Vice President clearly understands how important this issue is for our state, and I am delighted he has taken a personal interest in arranging for this more prolonged demonstration of maritime response capability," said Rep. Dicks.

       The congressman, who worked with the state's congressional delegation and the Navy last winter to design rescue drills that kept a Navy contract tugboat on station for two months in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, added that "an extended series of drills will take place this year, involving more types of vessels and different emergency scenarios."

       Dicks said the additional capability of the rescue tug "once again gives us an extra margin of safety while it is on station this winter, able to respond to maritime emergencies and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these tugboats in preventing collisions, groundings and oil spills."

       He said the data gathered in this year’s test will contribute to an ongoing study of additional measures that may help prevent oil spills in the Strait and Puget Sound.

       "I applaud the Vice President’s responsiveness to our state’s concern for protecting the environment. His efforts to coordinate the Navy, Coast Guard and State participation in this new demonstration have clearly made the difference, and the result is that we will have the capability in place before the holidays," said Rep. Dicks.

Copy of the Vice President's announcement follows:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 12, 1999
Contact: (202) 456-6224

       SEATTLE, Wash. -- Vice President Al Gore today announced that a standby response tugboat will be stationed at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to help complete the ongoing study on how best to protect these important waters of Washington State from maritime emergencies like oil spills, collision and potential Y2K related problems. This is the result of continued cooperative efforts between the United States Navy, United State Coast Guard and the State of Washington.

       "I am pleased to announce that this vessel will continue our efforts to understand how best to protect these pristine waters and will be available should a maritime emergency arise, especially during the uncertain days surrounding the new millennium, "said the Vice President.

       The rescue ship, to be stationed by mid-December, will be available to respond to any maritime emergencies in the area, especially those that may result from embedded chips in shipboard machinery that are non-Y2K compliant.

       The Vice President pointed out that the stationing of the tug is just another step in the effort to identify the best possible protection for Puget Sound. "I am grateful for the support of the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Navy and other federal agencies, as well as Governor Locke, Senator Murray and Reps. Dicks and Inslee, for working hard to ensure long term protection for the Puget Sound region," he said.

       The vessel will also provide a second season of real-world data that will be incorporated into the ongoing marine safety review by the North Puget Sound Long Term Risk Management Panel. This group, in conjunction with ongoing work by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington State Department of Ecology, is reviewing additional safety measures to prevent collisions and oil spills in both the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Any additional measures will build upon the voluntary work by the shipping industry in the Northwest in devising and implementing the International Tug of Opportunity System, which already has provided an increased level of protection to these waters.

       As final contract arrangements are being made through the U.S. Navy for this standby response tugboat, some members of Washington state’s congressional delegation, the Coast Guard and the Navy are seeking input into a draft exercise plan while it’s on station. Once finalized, this drill operation will again provide a relevant analysis of both the cost and effectiveness of this type of protection.

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