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An alarming incident involving the cargo loss of hundreds of timber veneer packs off the Coffs Coast has prompted an investigation revealing that human error was the primary cause. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published its findings regarding the event that unfolded on October 4, 2010, when the vessel 'Mimasaka' experienced a significant cargo spill near Yamba. During the incident, 604 packs of timber veneer fell from the ship's deck into the turbulent sea due to inadequate instructions given to the crew concerning proper stowing and securing procedures. The 'Mimasaka' was en route from Burnie, Tasmania, to Singapore when the mishap occurred at approximately 8:55 a.m. According to the ATSB report, an operations manual provided to the vessel by its operator, NYK-Hinode Line, failed to offer necessary guidance on stowing and securing the cargo on the ship’s hatch covers. The investigation uncovered five critical safety issues, highlighting deficiencies such as the inadequate support from NYK-Hinode Line and the shipper's non-compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargo. Additionally, no third-party inspections were conducted to verify proper packaging adherence. The vessel was forced to make an unplanned stop due to bad weather, situated 43 nautical miles northeast of Coffs Harbour. While minor damage occurred to the 'Mimasaka', divers and welders undertook repairs as it docked in the Clarence River area. Notably, several packs of timber veneer were not recovered during subsequent recovery efforts in the weeks following the spill.

On October 11, the vessel 'Mimasaka' set sail once again, departing from Australia after facing significant challenges. The ship, which had loaded its cargo in Melbourne, was en route to Singapore when it encountered severe weather conditions off the coast of New South Wales. During the tumultuous conditions, the ship experienced a dangerous list of 40 degrees, resulting in the loss of approximately 600 packs of 2mm veneer. Fortunately, some of the lost cargo was successfully retrieved from the ocean. To address the situation, 'Mimasaka' docked at Yamba, where divers and welders worked diligently to secure the remaining cargo before the ship continued on its journey.