Local News

Tar Patties Wash Ashore in St. Augustine Beach

Jeff Hess

@ July 8, 2010 2:47 PM Permalink | Comments (5)

A few of the sludgy looking tar patties washed ashore Thursday in St. Augustine Beach.

St. Johns County officials say they don't think it's related to the BP oil spill.

The Coast Guard is collecting a sample to send for testing, which is expected take 3 to 5 days.

The tar patties are quite weathered with no remaining petroleum in them; they are mostly paraffin or wax.

The quantity is very low and officials do not expect any adverse impact on wildlife.

For updates on current beach conditions, call the St. Johns County beaches hotline at (904) 209-0331. If you see tar balls call the Coast Guard at (904) 564-7513.

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What others are saying

It's not from BP.
The tar is more likely from the bilge of some large shipping line vessel, dumped offshore. There are more sources for oil out in the ocean than the average landlubber knows about. Education is the key.
By ConspiracyFail @ 07/21/10 09:24:43 PMreport abuse
not unheard of
I also recall seeing tar balls on S Fla beaches back in the late 70's. It's natural leakage due to the tremendous volume of crude beneath the sea floor. Conspiracy nuts...notice the article was written by Jeff HESS!
By WiseOldLady @ 07/11/10 08:54:52 PMreport abuse
Tar Balls
I basically grew up on the beach in S.FLA and we always had to deal with some sort of tar during the summer. That is why you kept tar remover in your car.
By Brian @ 07/09/10 11:44:38 PMreport abuse
Cruise ships
Cruise ship(s) are ported at Port Canaveral since before 1994. Maybe this is the cause. Toms' statement makes sense; who is making these claims. Numerous news from the gulf oil spill indicate that gov't news briefs are at most slanted toward their agenda.
By Mike Conklin @ 07/08/10 06:23:11 PMreport abuse
Who is concluding it is not?
Who is stating that the oil is not from the spill - BP? I hope not. They have consistently lied. Why believe them now.
By Tom @ 07/08/10 03:57:31 PMreport abuse