Spills

Mystery oil Spill5; grande isle, louisiana

NOAAORR-6692

issued: 1989-04-22 00:00Z
status: cancelled 1989-05-06 00:00Z
self-cancels: 1989-05-06 00:00Z
authority: NOAA OR&R
sea: Gulf of Mexico
position: 29.243, -89.959
source: incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Oil Spill5; Grande Isle, Louisiana.
Grande Isle, Louisiana.
1. On the morning of April 22, 1989, an oil spill was reported off Grand Isle, Louisiana. At 0920, helicopter reports indicated that the slick, which measured approximately eight miles long and 1-1/2 miles wide, was about 21 nautical miles south of Grand Isle. Subsequent reports from a Conoco oil platform air dispatcher indicated that the slick was oriented along an east-west axis, and that it contained patches of dark "pudding-like" oil, and silver to rainbow sheen. A Coast Guard overflight confirmed the sighting, and reported that the slick was moving west and appeared to be breaking up. A Coast Guard vessel passing through the area described the material as somewhat stringy. USCG district 8.
2. COMMODITY: UNKNOWN OIL.
3. POSITION 29.243N 089.959W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6692: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6692

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Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here

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Timeline · 2 messages since 1989-04-22 · closed 1989-05-06

Mystery oil Spill5; grande isle, louisiana this message1989-04-22 → 1989-05-06
Unknown oil Spill1; off grand isle, louisiana1989-04-22 → 1989-05-06

joined by proximity

Nearby now · within 120 nm

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Worldwide now

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 →

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