Spills

On the morning of 19 july, the noaa ssc was notified of a mystery spill south of freeport, tx by uscg msu…

Freeport Mystery Spill; Freeport, Tx · Freeport, Tx · NOAAORR-7502

issued
2000-07-19 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2000-08-02 00:00Z
self-cancels
2000-08-02 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
28.831, -95.335
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Freeport Mystery Spill; Freeport, TX.
Freeport, TX.
1. On the morning of 19 July, the NOAA SSC was notified of a mystery spill south of Freeport, TX by USCG MSU Galveston. The mystery spill is reported to be impacting approximately 8 miles of beach with a heavy concentration of tar balls (4-8' swath with 40-50% coverage). In addition, sporadic tar ball impacts have been reported from South Padre Island north including areas of the National Park and Mustang Island over the last 10 days; it is unclear if these impacts are related. NOAA has been asked to provide a hindcast trajectory to identify potential sources. At present, and for the last few weeks, the coastal currents and winds have been out of the south with transport to the north. NOAA is also responding on-scene to help coordinate response efforts. LCDR Jason Maddox is expected to arrive this evening. USCG district 8.
2. COMMODITY: TARBALLS.
3. POSITION 28.831N 095.335W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7502: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7502

This area · spills & pollution incidents

488 within 180 nm since 1973 · 12 in the last 12 months · 1 in force now

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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

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.