Spills

Golden gate bridge, san francisco, california

Oil Slick; Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California · NOAAORR-6445

issued
1987-02-13 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1987-02-27 00:00Z
self-cancels
1987-02-27 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Pacific Ocean
position
37.897, -122.762
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Oil Slick; Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California.
1. On February 13, 1987, the tank vessel EXXON Philadelphia sighted an oil slick extending from the Golden Gate north to a point 7 nautical miles due west of Point Reyes. Initial reports indicated that the area impacted was a stretch of ocean consisting of 10 miles by 2,000 yards of intermittent sheen. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office helicopter overflights confirmed the sightings and estimated that approximately 400 gallons had been spilled. The Point Reyes-Farallon Islands National Marine Sanctuary, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were notified. The Coast Guard dispatched a 41-foot patrol boat to the area of the spill to sample the slick, but high winds and increased sea conditions prevented taking of adequate samples. USCG district 12.
2. COMMODITY: OIL. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 400 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 37.897N 122.762W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6445: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6445

This area · spills & pollution incidents

245 within 180 nm since 1971 · 13 in the last 12 months · 2 in force now

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Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.