An innovative project is creating automated sailing ships that could potentially soak up oil from the ocean's surface.

The project's founder, Cesar Herada, was working with communities affected by last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill when he embarked on the idea which he hopes will protect oil-cleaning workers and significantly cut the cost of clean-up operations.

The boats are going into development in the Netherlands this summer.

Reporter Laura Sheeter met with Herada to find out more.