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New State Law Gets Tougher on Derelict Vessel Owners by Associated Press KOMO News, May 7, 2011

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A new Washington state law is getting tougher on owners of derelict vessels.

State agencies will have more authority to deal with owners of abandoned or derelict vessels under a law signed this week by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The Columbian newspaper says the law had been requested by Washington Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. It will help state and local authorities deal with derelict ships that block navigation, damage passing vessels or release pollution.

The new law won't help deal with the leaking barge on the Columbia River between Vancouver and Camas. That's because cleanup of the Davy Crockett is being managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, so it is a federal matter.