Spills

Mystery slick 9.3.1998; breton sound, louisiana

NOAAORR-7327

issued: 1998-09-03 00:00Z
status: cancelled 1998-09-17 00:00Z
self-cancels: 1998-09-17 00:00Z
authority: NOAA OR&R
sea: Gulf of Mexico
position: 29.745, -89.358
source: incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Slick 9.3.1998; Breton Sound, Louisiana.
Breton Sound, Louisiana.
1. On September 3, 1998, an overflight reported a 4-mile by 4-mile slick of unknown origin in Breton Sound, Louisiana. The slick was reported to be thick with emulsified oil in some places. The calm conditions combined with a good sun angle allowed the observation of numerous very thin sheens, but accounting for very little oil. Oil sheens were observed to include silver, rainbow, and dull rainbow. One streamer of "heavier oil" was observed north of Deadman Island in Eloi Bay. Cleanup workers were directed to the heavier oil. USCG observers with the cleanup contractor reported that this oil was too thin on the surface for effective recovery. Several islands in the upper Breton Sound were seen to sheen oil, but were determined to be too lightly oiled for mechanical cleanup. USCG district 8. Keyword: none.
2. COMMODITY: UNKNOWN.
3. POSITION 29.745N 089.358W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7327: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7327

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Timeline · 2 messages since 1998-09-03 · closed 1998-09-17

Breton sound, la1998-09-03 → 1998-09-17
Mystery slick 9.3.1998; breton sound, louisiana this message1998-09-03 → 1998-09-17

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