Mystery Oil Spill5; Grande Isle, Louisiana

Grande Isle, Louisiana | 1989-Apr-22

Initial Notification: 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.