Report finds this was not the first time APL England had dropped containers in Australian waters

Containers from the May spill incident washed up on Birdie beach. Picture: Marina Neil

The ship that lost at least 40 containers off the NSW coast in May had done so before - the last time it visited Australia.

On May 24, the APL England lost containers overboard in rough seas - one of which contained dry-powder fire extinguishers.

A further 63 containers were damaged but remained on board.

The spill led to containers and debris - including surgical masks, plastics and packets of panko breadcrumbs - washing up on the coastline from Wollongong to north of Newcastle.

On this issue: Debris sightings from APL England are slowing down, but the clean-up continues

INSPECTION: National Parks rangers at Bridie beach in the Munmorah State Conservation Area. Picture: Damon Cronshaw

The visit was the APL England's first to Australia since August 2016, when containers also went overboard.

"At about 1500 on August 18, 2016, while transiting the Great Australian Bight, APL England lost 37 containers overboard in rough seas," a preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau stated.

"Following this incident, APL England was removed from this service and did not return to Australia until the May 24 2020 incident."

The report also found some of the deck structures used to secure the containers were "heavy corroded".

"Generally, the ship's lashing equipment appeared in good condition, ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said.

"However, many of the ship fittings including lashing eyes, lashing bridges and deck structures were found to be heavily corroded and wasted.

Containers lean over the side of the APL England in May 2020 - it's not the first time the ship has lost containers overboard. Picture: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

The ATSB report also stated an annual survey of the ship carried out in April this year noted "heavy corrosion, wastage and cracking around a small number of cargo hatch coamings".

During the early hours of May 24, according to the report, the ship was being hit by five-metre waves and dealing with winds of up to 80km/h - causing the ship to roll by 25 degrees.

It wasn't until after sunrise that the ship's crew became aware of the loss of the containers.

Investigations into the incident are continuing, with ATSB officers to analyse the container lashing arrangement, the actions of the captain and crew as well as the level of maintenance on board.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has already charged the ship's master with offences relating to pollution of the marine environment.

The charges carry a maximum fine of more than $300,000.

DEBRIS: A batch of face masks washed up on the sand at Spoon Bay, south of Forresters beach. Picture: Kathy McKinney

This story Report finds this was not the first time APL England had dropped containers in Australian waters first appeared on Illawarra Mercury.