On Wednesday , 5 October 2011 , the container ship ran aground on the reef . By Sunday , 9 October , a oil-slick threatened wildlife and the area 's rich fishing waters . By 13 October the ship had started to list and rock in the waves . Over 88 containers , some containing dangerous chemicals , fell into the sea and some washed ashore . The wreck broke in two during stormy weather on 7 January 2012
ran aground on the reef
Rena oil spill
Astrolabe Reef