Washington State Maritime Cooperative
Strategic Preparedness, Swift Response
Oil spill response services protecting Washington waters and supporting the maritime industry
About Us
The Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Washington’s marine environment through comprehensive oil spill preparedness and response. Our mission remains as vital today as it was when originally envisioned by the Washington State Legislature more than three decades ago: to ensure a swift and effective first response to vessel oil spills in Washington’s waters.
WSMC’s roots date back to 1990, when the Washington State Maritime Commission was created under the Maritime Commission Act. The Commission was established to develop and maintain a statewide oil spill response system for vessels, providing a unified, rapid response capability to protect Washington’s waterways.
In 1995, through House Bill 1407, the Legislature privatized the functions of the Commission, transferring responsibility to a newly formed nonprofit organization: the Washington State Maritime Cooperative.
Today, WSMC operates the state’s only fully approved umbrella oil spill contingency plan, covering Puget Sound and Grays Harbor. We assist our members—vessel operators and maritime businesses—in meeting Washington State’s rigorous oil spill planning standards while ensuring that the response system envisioned by the Legislature remains strong and ready.
Our 24/7 manned call center, two on-call Incident Commanders, and 72-hour Initial Response Team — the only one of its kind in Washington—ensure immediate activation and deployment of highly trained personnel and specialized equipment. WSMC manages a system designed for Washington’s unique marine environment, with fully dedicated oil spill response resources and complete compliance with all state planning standards.
For nearly 30 years, WSMC has been at the forefront of oil spill preparedness and response, combining deep knowledge of Washington’s waterways with an unwavering commitment to protecting the state’s marine environment. We are proud to carry out the vision established by the Legislature, providing industry and the public with confidence that Washington’s waters are safeguarded by a world-class, cooperative oil spill response system.
In this episode of The Tactics Meeting, we dive into Washington State’s 2025 Best Achievable Protection (BAP) initiative—a comprehensive effort to update oil spill contingency planning regulations under WAC 173-182 and WAC 173-186.
Host Dan Smiley explains how the Department of Ecology kicked off the process with a well-attended online meeting and public survey, inviting input on ways to strengthen spill response planning. The episode explores the four key topic areas identified for technical workgroups.
Key Services
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Contingency Plan
We provide the first fully approved oil spill contingency plan for Washington state that extends beyond regulatory compliance to include measures and practices tailored to safeguarding Washington’s unique maritime environment.
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Full-Scale Drill Design & Practice
We ensure our members are fully prepared by conducting comprehensive drills in accordance with Washington regulations. Our training programs ensure response readiness through annual and supplemental exercise of the contingency plan and practice for our response teams.
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24-Hour Hotline
Our dedicated hotline ensures immediate response and assistance during oil spill emergencies. Call day or night to speak directly with a team member who will initiate response procedures, assist in other regulatory calls, and connect you with an incident commander.
Why WSMC?
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The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) mandates specific requirements for oil spill contingency plans. By becoming a member of WSMC, you not only ensure compliance with these requirements but also gain access to a plan that surpasses the minimum standards with additional measures to safeguard Washington's environment. This includes our 72-hour initial response team, the only one in the state that goes beyond the first 24-hour requirement.
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With decades of combined experience, our team of highly skilled and respected incident commanders is distinctly qualified to handle oil spills in Washington. They have extensive knowledge of the Pacific Northwest region, allowing us to leverage their local expertise and providing us with a significant advantage over our competitors. This deep geographical understanding provides us with valuable community insights and enhances our ability to effectively respond.
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Through WSMC, you have access to our network of Pacific Northwest focused resources, connections, and partnerships, including government agencies, environmental organizations, and industry experts.
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Both are part of the initial call-out team and work closely with you, the WSMC incident commander, and PIOs from other agencies to ensure a coordinated message during a spill. They are available to support your team in any way you need.
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As a nonprofit, we are driven by our mission and members, and all revenue goes back to serving them. By choosing our cooperative, you not only receive a superior oil spill contingency plan, but you also become part of a community dedicated to protecting our environment and maritime industry.
ANNUAL HAZWOPER REFRESHER
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Hilton Doubletree
Seattle, WA
Stay compliant and prepared with the Washington State Maritime Cooperative's Annual HAZWOPER Refresher Training! This essential course provides the required annual refresher for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification, ensuring your team is ready to respond safely and effectively.
📅 Date: 22 October 2025
🕒 Time: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 Location: [Insert In-Person Venue]
🌐 Online Option Available!
💵 Cost: $35 for WSMC members, $150 for nonmembers
This year, we’re offering both an in-person experience and a convenient online option to accommodate your needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to keep your certification up to date while networking with industry peers and strengthening your response capabilities.
Space is limited for both formats, so register now to secure your spot!