This prescient documentary was made 4 years before the Betegeuse disaster at Whiddy Island in 1979, where an oil tanker exploded resulting in the loss of 51 lives and a contamination of the bay.

The story begins in 1969 when the Gulf Oil Corporation set up a new terminal on Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay. For the first five years, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

However, this programme was made in the wake of a second major oil spill within the space of three months.

In October 1974, human error led to over 650,000 gallons of oil being pumped into the the bay by the tanker 'Universe Leader.

Then, in January 1975, the Afran Zodiac tanker was damaged by a tug boat that was blown by gale force winds into the hull of the ship resulting in a six inch hole just about the waterline. 113,000 gallons of oil poured into the waters that day.

John Skehan talks to locals of Bantry who voice their concerns about the recent oil spillages and how it has affected tourism and the fishing industry.

Produced and Presented by John Skehan

First Broadcast February 9th 1975

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