Spills

Mystery oil Spill1; duck key, florida

NOAAORR-6481

issued
1987-06-23 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1987-07-07 00:00Z
self-cancels
1987-07-07 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
24.834, -80.791
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Oil Spill1; Duck Key, Florida.
Duck Key, Florida.
1. On June 23, 1987, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Miami, received a report of a heavy black oil slick measuring 30-40 acres, approximately 8 nautical miles southeast of Duck Key, Florida. The slick was later confirmed as a light sheen by a U.S. Navy helicopter operating in the area. This fact was also confirmed by a Coast Guard small boat which, when on-scene, had difficulty finding the slick. USCG district 7.
2. COMMODITY: OIL.
3. POSITION 24.834N 080.791W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6481: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6481

This area · spills & pollution incidents

137 within 180 nm since 1985 · 2 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

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Nothing else in force within 120 nm.

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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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