Spills · mystery_substance

Offshore galveston jetties, tx

Mystery Slick; Offshore Galveston Jetties, Tx · NOAAORR-1088

issued
2003-08-18 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2003-09-01 00:00Z
self-cancels
2003-09-01 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
29.083, -94.607
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Slick; Offshore Galveston Jetties, TX.
Offshore Galveston Jetties, TX.
1. During the afternoon of 18 August 2003, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator was notified by USCG MSU Galveston of a mystery slick off the Texas Coast. The slick was reported as "chocolate mousse-like" and extending some 5 miles with an approximate location of 29 deg 05 min N Lat. 094 deg 36.4 min W Long., some 15 miles off the Texas coast. Although the USCG didn't suggest a possible source, the description of the slick and the proximity to the vessel traffic lanes are consistent with a ship transiting the area and pumping bilge. The USCG requested trajectory assistance. A follow-up overflight, on the evening of 18 August by training observers, defined the mystery slick as being a debris line composed primarily of Sargasso weed. No additional response actions were required.
2. THREAT: OIL. TAGS: MYSTERY SUBSTANCE.
3. POSITION 29.083N 094.607W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 1088: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/1088

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