Safety issues dogged the stricken container ship spewing oil into the Bay of Plenty as far back as July, it was revealed yesterday.

The Rena was detained in Australia that month, and 12 days ago it was warned about problems with its safety record during an inspection in Bluff.

Maritime New Zealand said authorities found the Rena’s safety checklist was not working effectively.

This meant mechanical failures, some of which led to the Rena’s detention in Australia, were not picked up.

Yesterday, oil from the ship, aground on the Astrolabe Reef, 20km off Tauranga, reached Mt Maunganui’s main beach.

Last night, TV3 and Investigate magazine’s website reported that the Rena came close to hitting an oil tanker near Napier on October 2, two days before it hit the reef. The reports said the tanker took evasive action.

The Maritime Union has alleged the Rena did not have proper navigation charts.

Maritime NZ spokesman Ross Henderson said vessels were supposed to have an “international safety management system”.

NZHerald