Plan to expand WAs tugboat escort requirements for oil tankers stirs pushback

Washington agencies are proposing to expand tugboat escort requirements for oil tankers and barges in response to ongoing concerns about oil spills in the region. The U. S. Coast Guard opposes the proposed changes, arguing that increased vessel traffic could elevate the risk of collisions and spills. Captain Darwin Jensen emphasized that the potential benefits of the tug escorts do not outweigh the risks of heightened traffic in congested waterways.

Environmental groups, however, are pressing for stricter regulations to protect endangered orcas and ensure the safety of marine habitats. The tug escort requirement was first enacted in 2020, and the Washington Legislature has tasked the pilotage board with reviewing it periodically. The proposed expansion would increase the coverage zone for tug escorts, aiming to enhance spill prevention in the Rosario Strait. The pilotage board must balance these conflicting viewpoints while considering the existing regulatory framework. A meeting with the Coast Guard is planned to clarify federal concerns regarding the proposed changes.