A cleanup operation in Bantry Bay following an oil spillage is hampered by the weather.
On the night of 10 January 1975, the Afran Zodiac tanker, on route from Cork to the Persian Gulf, was damaged at Whiddy Island when it was hit by a tug boat. Thousands of gallons of oil leaked into the sea from the damaged tanker the result of which was,
A thick black sludge covering whole areas of its waters and coastline.
All 115,230 gallons of heavy engine oil on board the Afran Zodiac spilled into the sea and was driven to the shore by gale force winds.
This incident comes just months after 250,000 gallons of oil was pumped into Bantry Bay from an oil spill from the Universe Leader tanker at the Gulf Oil Terminal on Whiddy Island.
'Seven Days' reports on 14 January 1975. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
