BREAKING: Stricken ship involved in earlier near collision – report

The giant container ship that’s run aground on a reef near Tauranga was allegedly involved in a near miss with an oil tanker the day before it struck rocks.

Investigate magazine has tonight been advised the Rena nearly hit the tanker, forcing the oil ship to take evasive action.

The tanker was doing 14 knots at the time, and the Rena was doing considerably more, according to a witness.

It’s understood a report was due to be filed with safety authorities at Maritime New Zealand.

24 hours later the Rena hit the reef at such a speed that half the ship is stuck in the rocks.