Automatic source timelineGulf of Mexico, off LA CoastTimeline updated 27 Sept 2026

Mystery Slick, Vermillion Block 29; Gulf of Mexico, off LA Coast

NOAA initial notification: “Shortly after noon (local time) on Friday, 12 Dec. 2008, NOAA was notified of a slick from an unknown source off the Louisiana Coast. A passing aircraft reported a 0.25 x 2 mile dark slick some 4 to 5 miles offshore in the vicinity of Vermillion Block 29. The USCG requested a […]”[1]

Follow the timeline Latest included source reportOriginal sources (3)

Latest included source report

Posted 19 Jan 2009

Latest source report

“There was no additional support requested by the USCG, and there was no follow up information provided by the USCG. This entry constitutes the Final (or Close Out) Report for this incident. NOAA’s support role was limited to remote trajectory support.” Current outcome is not independently verified by seahazards.[3]

NOAA report chronology

3 dated source records · 12 Dec 2008 to 19 Jan 2009
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NOAA incident record opened

Initial notification excerpt: “Shortly after noon (local time) on Friday, 12 Dec. 2008, NOAA was notified of a slick from an unknown source off the Louisiana Coast. A passing aircraft reported a 0.25 x 2 mile dark slick some 4 to 5 miles offshore in the vicinity of Vermillion Block 29. The USCG requested a trajectory analysis.”

NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track

Initial incident area only. Dates are NOAA postings, not a vessel track. Playback advances every 5 seconds.

Milestone 1 of 3: 12 Dec 2008. NOAA incident record opened. NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track

  1. NOAA incident record opened

    Initial notification excerpt: “Shortly after noon (local time) on Friday, 12 Dec. 2008, NOAA was notified of a slick from an unknown source off the Louisiana Coast. A passing aircraft reported a 0.25 x 2 mile dark slick some 4 to 5 miles offshore in the vicinity of Vermillion Block 29. The USCG requested a trajectory analysis.”

    NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track (29.473°, -92.236°)

    NOAA Office of Response and Restoration

  2. Initial Report

    Source report excerpt: “Shortly after noon (local time) on Friday, 12 Dec. 2008, NOAA was notified of a slick from an unknown source off the Louisiana Coast. A passing aircraft reported a 0.25 x 2 mile dark slick some 4 to 5 miles offshore in the vicinity of Vermillion Block 29. The USCG requested a trajectory analysis. The current transport conditions are offshore, but no source information or if this is a continuous release is known at present. After emailing the trajectory analysis, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator followed up with the USCG. They are currently working to get an overflight to assess the situation. None of the facilities in the area are reporting a problem. The source remains a mystery.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  3. Close Out Report

    Source report excerpt: “There was no additional support requested by the USCG, and there was no follow up information provided by the USCG. This entry constitutes the Final (or Close Out) Report for this incident. NOAA’s support role was limited to remote trajectory support.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive
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Details in the record

Source record
NOAA IncidentNews 7941[1]
Dated source updates
2[2][3]

Reading this account

Automatically assembled from NOAA's incident record and substantive Public Affairs or Situation Update posts. Dates are NOAA posting dates, which can differ from when events happened or original reports were published. Excerpts retain the source's wording and uncertainty. This account does not independently establish the cause, current outcome or safety of the area. NOAA coverage is selective; missing updates do not mean nothing happened. The map shows one approximate incident area, not a vessel track.

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Original sources

Timeline updated 27 Sept 2026. New reports and changes to this NOAA incident are incorporated automatically; this is not a live incident feed.

  1. 1.Mystery Slick, Vermillion Block 29; Gulf of Mexico, off LA Coast ↗NOAA Office of Response and Restoration · 12 Dec 2008
  2. 2.Initial Report ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 12 Dec 2008
  3. 3.Close Out Report ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 19 Jan 2009

Related records in our archive

Original source text, preserved separately from this account.

NOAAORR-7941 NOAA response record
Mystery Slick, Vermillion Block 29; Gulf of Mexico, off LA Coast.
Gulf of Mexico, off LA Coast.
1. Shortly after noon (local time) on Friday, 12 Dec. 2008, NOAA was notified of a slick from an unknown source off the Louisiana Coast. A passing aircraft reported a 0.25 x 2 mile dark slick some 4 to 5 miles offshore in the vicinity of Vermillion Block 29. The USCG requested a trajectory analysis.
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: SUSPECTED CRUDE OIL RELEASE. TAGS: MYSTERY SUBSTANCE.
3. POSITION 29.473N 092.236W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7941: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7941
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