Satellite Image Anomaly off Prince of Wales Island; Gulf of Alaska, Alaska

Gulf of Alaska | 2026-Jul-24

Initial Notification: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report from the Canadian Ice Service regarding an anomaly observed on satellite imagery west of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The anomaly is an area of 12.52 km² and 33.73 km long. USCG contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) requesting input from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) as to whether this may be an oil sheen. NESDIS reported that the anomaly is not believed to be an oil spill or otherwise associated with ship-related pollution, as it does not exhibit the characteristics that are used to identify such events. The anomaly appears consistent with a standard vessel wake, rather than an oil discharge.