---

New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission has published an interim report on the grounding of the MV Rena, off New Zealand's North Island.

In the report, it is claimed that the Rena was operating on autopilot when it struck Astrolabe Reef in October last year. It was said to be travelling at 17 knots when the incident took place.

"The Rena was being steered by autopilot for most of the voyage from Napier, including for the whole period from midnight to the time of the grounding. The Rena’s autopilot operated off its gyrocompass," the report said.

It is also claimed that the vessel was shortening the distance around Mahia Peninsula in order to meet its deadline.

"The master modified the vessel’s planned passage on the chart to shorten the distance around Mahia Peninsula. The master handed control of the Rena to the third mate at 11:00 as the vessel approached Mahia Peninsula," the document said.

The Greek-owned and Liberian-flagged Rena ran aground on 5th October on Astrolabe reef, 14 miles (22km) off Tauranga on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, setting off what officials called the country’s worst maritime environmental disaster.

The incident resulted in approximately 300-400 tonnes of bunker fuel spilling into the sea along with some of its hundreds of containers.

A link to the full 28-page report has been included below.

Interim Report: Containership MV Rena grounding on Astrolabe Reef 5 October 2011