M/V Rena Ship's Accident Due to Exhaustion

August 28, 2014
Written by E.Tsiliopoulos

According to a report of the Australian transport safety authority, the captain of “M/V RENA” was probably tired and without sleep when the ship hit shoals.

The conclusion of the research is based on data supplied by the accident investigation, and that evidence shows that the captain was tired and the first mate on shift had not yet adjusted his vision to the dark, so he could not see well.

The data also showed that the travel plan had changed often in order to cut traveled distances in order to complete the journey in less time.

The stranding of the “M/V RENA” on 5 October 2011 on the reef off Tauranga is considered New Zealand's worst maritime environmental disaster.

The ship, three years after the incident, is divided into two parts, with the bow stuck on the reef and the stern submerged on the seabed at a depth of 30 meters, while one portion has already been salvaged.