Spills

Mystery oil Spill2; pilarcitos creek, half moon bay, california

NOAAORR-6464

issued
1987-04-28 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1987-05-12 00:00Z
self-cancels
1987-05-12 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Pacific Ocean
position
37.496, -122.466
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Oil Spill2; Pilarcitos Creek, Half Moon Bay, California.
Pilarcitos Creek, Half Moon Bay, California.
1. At 1620 on April 28, 1987, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Alameda, was notified by an official of the San Mateo County Health Department of a spill of heavy black oil extending 200 yards in a drainage ditch. The drainage ditch empties into Pilarcitos Creek, which flows directly to Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The affected area was approximately 7 feet wide and extended along the thickly vegetated banks of the ditch. USCG district 12.
2. COMMODITY: OIL.
3. POSITION 37.496N 122.466W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6464: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6464

This area · spills & pollution incidents

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

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Timeline · 4 messages since 1987-04-14 · closed 1987-05-22

  1. Early in the morning on april 14, 1987, an arrow transportation company tank truck carrying approximately…1987-04-14 → 1987-04-28
  2. Mystery oil Spill2; pilarcitos creek, half moon bay, california this message1987-04-28 → 1987-05-12
  3. At 1000 on may 2, 1987, the U.S1987-05-02 → 1987-05-16
  4. On march 8, 1989, three southern pacific railroad tank cars derailed near a slough immediately adjacent to…1987-05-08 → 1987-05-22

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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

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