Spills

Carolina mystery spill; off the north carolina and south carolina coast

NOAAORR-7374

issued
1999-01-22 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1999-02-05 00:00Z
self-cancels
1999-02-05 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
33.797, -78.539
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Carolina Mystery Spill; off the North Carolina and South Carolina coast.
off the North Carolina and South Carolina coast.
1. Multiple reports of oiled birds have been received along the South Carolina/North Carolina Coast. 90 % of the birds have been loons with a few commorants, garnants and 1 pelican. The first report was in the Charleston/ Isle of Palms area on 14 January where 8 birds were collected. Approximately 92 more birds were collected between 18 and 21 January from the south end of Myrtle Beach to Little River. Another 20 birds have been collected today (22 January) between Sunset Beach and 50 miles north of Wilmington, NC. It was reported that most of the birds have been collected live, but have been dieing after treatment. Tri-State Bird Rescue is on-scene along with representatives from SC Fish and Wildlife. A Coast Guard representative from MSO Charleston will arrive tomorrow. Samples will be taken from several birds collected at different locations and sent to LSU for analysis. USCG district [...]
2. COMMODITY: OILED BIRDS.
3. POSITION 33.797N 078.539W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7374: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7374

This area · spills & pollution incidents

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

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Timeline · 2 messages since 1999-01-14 · closed 1999-02-05

  1. South carolina coast1999-01-14 → 1999-01-28
  2. Carolina mystery spill; off the north carolina and south carolina coast this message1999-01-22 → 1999-02-05

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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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