The Washington State Legislature yesterday passed landmark legislation that requires the oil, cargo and cruise industry to pay for a year-round response tug to stand by at Neah Bay to prevent vessel oil spills. Senate Bill 5344, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Ranker (40th), and House Bill 1409, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (24th) require all oil tankers, cargo vessels and large cruise ships to form a cooperative to contract for standby response tug service at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Senate bill passed 44-4; the House bill passed 62-35. “It’s an historic day,” said Bruce Wishart, policy director of People For Puget Sound. “We’ve been advocating on the issue of permanent funding for a year-round rescue tug for over ten years. Thanks to great work done on the bill by Senator Ranker and Representative Van De Wege, we finally have succeeded.” A rescue tug has been stationed at Neah Bay since 1999 on a part-time seasonal basis and paid for by state and federal funds. Since 1999, the rescue tug has been responsible for 41 rescues or assists of oil tankers, cargo vessels, and other vessels in the region. Similar success stories surround tugs stationed in Alaska, Japan, France, Great Britain, and across the globe.