Spills

At 1000 on may 2, 1987, the U.S

Mystery Black Oil Spill, Pacifica; Pacifica, Ca · Pacifica, Ca · NOAAORR-6465

issued
1987-05-02 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1987-05-16 00:00Z
self-cancels
1987-05-16 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Pacific Ocean
position
37.637, -122.495
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Black Oil Spill, Pacifica; Pacifica, CA.
Pacifica, CA.
1. At 1000 on May 2, 1987, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Alameda, was notified that tarballs were washing up on the sandy beach at Pacifica. The Coast Guard observed a lens of oil and sheen offshore measuring approximately 10 feet wide and extending north up the coast about 3 miles. Samples of the oil were taken, and Coast Guard Vessel Traffic System was asked whether a tanker vessel had been in the vicinity of the oil over the past 24 hours. The oil appeared to be weathered, indicating that it had been in the water at least one day. USCG district 3.
2. COMMODITY: OIL.
3. POSITION 37.637N 122.495W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6465: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6465

This area · spills & pollution incidents

246 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, california1987-04-28 → 1987-05-12
  3. At 1000 on may 2, 1987, the U.S this message1987-05-02 → 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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8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

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.