Mystery Spill off Monterey Bay; Monterey Bay, CA

Monterey Bay, CA | 1998-Oct-07

Initial Notification: On October 7, 1998 at 1250 PDT, a mariner reported a stripe of black oil at 36 degrees 40.08 minutes N, 122 degrees 12.17 minutes W. At 1347 PDT, a USCG overflight observer reported an oil slick extending from 36 degrees 40.08 minutes N, 122 degrees 12.17 minutes W to 36 degrees 54.2 minutes N, 122 degrees 22.3 minutes W. The air crew estimated the slick was approximately 2 feet wide and contained light brown oil that looked like "chocolate pudding". A transparent sheen was observed on both sides of the brown oil. No tarballls were reported. The aircraft altitude was 75 feet. On-scene winds were from the southwest at about 5 knots. At this time, the source of the spill is unknown. USCG district 11.