At approximately 1000, 8 August 2000, NOAA was notified of a mystery oil spill washing up on the beaches from North Miami, FL near the vicinity of Golden Beach to Pompano, FL near Pompano Beach spanning approximately 25 miles of the east coast of Florida. Source of the spill is not known. Coast Guard overflights have sighted numerous areas of pancaked emulsified oil, light oil sheen, and black oil along the shore and off shore approximately 0.5 nm from North Hollywood Beach to 0.5 nm north of Pompano Pier. Tarballs ranging in size from 1/4 inch to pancake/mat size have impacted several beaches. The following beaches have been closed by the State and Park Service pending cleanup; Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and John Lloyd State Park. USCG district 7.

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Note: Documents are posted chronologically and early reports likely contain factual errors. These errors may be corrected in a later report.