NEAH BAY — A long-sought permanent rescue tugboat at Neah Bay has passed both houses of the state Legislature.

Once it clears a political formality on Friday, it’s full speed ahead to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Senate Bill 5344 — introduced by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island — passed the state House of Representatives in a 74-23 vote on Wednesday. An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate 44-4 on March 5.

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, introduced a nearly identical companion bill (1409), which passed the House of Representatives 62-35 on March 4.

“We voted the Senate bill, which is going to be the vehicle for this, off the House floor,” Van De Wege said on Wednesday.

One of the bills needs to pass both houses to be sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire for approval.

Gregoire signals OK

Gregoire has indicated that she intends to sign it.

“Because we changed it — I put a lot of my ideas and language on it — the Senate has to concur,” Van De Wege said.

“So we’ll go back to the Senate. It will just go to the floor. That’s going to happen Friday.”

Both bills require the maritime industry to fund a permanent tugboat at Neah Bay on the Makah reservation.

“If it passes, it would be the first time that industry pays for the tug instead of the public,” Clallam County commissioner Mike Doherty said in Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting.

A state-funded rescue tug has been operating at Neah Bay since 1999, but only in the winter months.

The $3.65 million price tag has been a constant battle in the state Legislature.

“This is a day we’ve been waiting for for a long time,” said Fred Felleman, a Seattle-based environmental activist who has championed a powerful, permanent tugboat in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Chad Bowechop, Makah marine affairs manager, said he hopes to attend a signing ceremony in Olympia on Tuesday.

If that happens, it would coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

“Our hope is for the governor to sign it on Tuesday, although she doesn’t say it’s going to happen for sure until after it’s actually on her desk,” Van De Wege said.

“I think it would be pretty poignant to have her sign the bill on that day, because this bill helps protect our entire district from oil spills like the one that happened there in Alaska. . . . I’m very pleased with its progress.”

Felleman said the powerful tug could help prevent a catastrophic oil spill.

“It’s the early containment that makes or breaks a successful spill response,” Fellman said.

He said a tug with a multi-mission capability presents an opportunity to develop a maritime community among the Coast Guard, the tugboat crew and the Makah tribe.

“We’re looking forward to the final steps in the process of this becoming law,” said Bowechop, who has testified in Olympic in support of the tug.

“We are absolutely thrilled.”

Under the bill, the state would continue to fund the tugboat through July 2010.

After that, a tugboat will be paid for by oil, cargo and cruise vessels that enter the straight.

Bowechop said the tug will have a shelf life of at least 15 years.

“It’s a pretty glorious day for us,” said Bowechop, who has testified in Olympia in support of the bill.

“And when I say us, it’s more than the tribal council. In my opinion, it’s the state of Washington.”

The Makah has been involved in oil spill response initiatives since the early 1990s.

“We’ve understood there are gaps in the spill response capabilities for the outer coast,” Bowechop said.

“Everybody figures its near a done deal.”

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.