Timbalier Platform; 5-7 mi s of Belle Pass, LA

5-7 mi s of Belle Pass, LA | 2002-Jan-10

Initial Notification: The NOAA SSC was notified by MSO Morgan City of an oil spill some 5-7 miles south of Belle Pass, Louisiana. The release volume is unknown, but estimations between 5 and 120 bbl have been reported by the RP. An afternoon overflight by the RP with a USCG representative aboard reported only three small streamers of oil and estimated the volume observed at only 3 bbl. The NOAA spill trajectory predicted land fall during the night (see trajectory products). Since much of the shoreline at risk has been identified as critical habitat for a threatened species (Piping plovers), the NOAA SSC is planning a beach survey in the AM to assess impact and will coordinate these efforts with the USF&WS representative. USCG district 8.