REPORT DATE: 05-18-2026
REPORT TIME: 0131 UTC
REGION: GULF OF AMERICA
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: HOWELL HOOK 805
IMAGE DATE: 05-17-2026
IMAGE TIME: 1602 UTC
DATA SOURCE: LANDSAT9
MODE: Multispectral  
RESOLUTION: 30 meter
LOCATION: 25°11'24" N/84°00'49" W
AREA: 0.38 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium
REPORT MAP/GIS FILES: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/products/ocean/marinepollution/
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. It appeared approximately 140 NM WNW of Key West, Florida spanning the Howell Hook lease areas 805 and 806. The linear anomaly was roughly 1.86 NM long and 0.11 NM at its widest. It looked dark against surrounding water and was distinct from vegetation and natural phenomena. Winds at the time of observation were between 15-20 kts from the ESE.

UNCERTAINTIES: NOAA NESDIS has issued reports previously on possible oil that appears to emanate from the same area, most recently is NRC #1461353 on 5/1/2026. 

If you would like to share any feedback about this report or have questions, please contact the operational analyst at (301) 683-1403 or send to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Email alerts are available only for federal and state government officials involved in response efforts. Requests to be added to the email alerts should also be sent to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Please allow up to 2 business days to process the request.

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofamerica/erma.html#/layers=1+58329&x=-84.0116875&y=25.191891499999997&z=11&panel=layer

For further information on oil spill response and assessment go to:https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills 

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