On February 4, 1970 at 9:35 a.m., the steam tanker "Arrow" struck Cerberus Rock in Chedabucto Bay as it was nearing the end of its voyage from Venezuela to the Nova Scotia Pulp and Paper Mill at Point Tupper. The tanker, travelling at a speed of about 12 knots, struck the rock on its forward section with 16,010 tons of Bunker "C" fuel oil onboard.

Of the 375 statute miles of shoreline in the Bay, 190 miles became contaminated. Oil afloat in the Bay and in the wreck threatened fishing operations, fish processing plants, bird life and the marine ecosystem. The behaviour of the already heavy, thick Bunker 'C' oil in this frigid environment was a problem that had never been encountered before and "Operation Oil" appeared impossible.