Oregon Public Broadcasting

The U.S. Navy's Northwest Command this week is sending five more oil skimmer boats based in Puget Sound to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Separately, two privately-operated skimmers are being transferred to the Gulf as well. 

The latest deployments means the region has fewer boats to respond in the unlikely event of a spill here. Tom Banse reports.

The U.S. Navy has now dispatched seven of its nine Puget Sound-based oil skimmer boats to the Gulf.  Three of twelve oil skimmer barges operated by private contractors are also gone. 

Speaking at Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal, Bruce Wishart of the green group People for Puget Sound says it's difficult to strike a balance. 

He says he wants "to help our neighbors" while not leaving our own region vulnerable.

Bruce Wishart: "There is definitely a concern. I think the (Washington) Department of Ecology is taking a close look at whether we have the capacity to respond now with this diversion of resources."

Washington's Department of Ecology says it has temporarily ordered additional precautions during vessel fueling and offloading to minimize the chances of a spill here. 

Washington and Oregon are holding fast to their biggest spill response boats, stationed in Astoria and Port Angeles. 

Overall, the Ecology Department says three quarters of some 40 odd oil skimmer boats stationed along the Columbia River and Puget Sound are still here.

Online:

WA. Dept. of Ecology -- BP Oil Spill page