Spills · oil

Satellite image anomaly off prince of wales island; gulf of alaska, alaska

NOAAORR-11192

issued
2026-07-24 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2026-08-07 00:00Z
self-cancels
2026-08-07 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Pacific Ocean
position
55.085, -134.161
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Satellite Image Anomaly off Prince of Wales Island; Gulf of Alaska, Alaska.
Gulf of Alaska.
1. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report from the Canadian Ice Service regarding an anomaly observed on satellite imagery west of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The anomaly is an area of 12.52 km² and 33.73 km long. USCG contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) requesting input from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) as to whether this may be an oil sheen. NESDIS reported that the anomaly is not believed to be an oil spill or otherwise associated with ship-related pollution, as it does not exhibit the characteristics that are used to identify such events. The anomaly appears consistent with a standard vessel wake, rather than an oil discharge.
2. THREAT: OIL.
3. POSITION 55.085N 134.161W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 11192: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/11192

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