The HMNZS Manawanui, a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, sank off the coast of Samoa due to human error, as revealed in an interim report released following a Court of Inquiry led by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding. The incident occurred on October 5 while the ship was performing survey operations and struck a reef on the southern side of Samoa.
Golding stated that the grounding was caused by a failure to disengage the ship’s autopilot, leading the crew to mistakenly interpret its lack of response as a mechanical failure. This oversight meant that standard procedures, which would have prompted the crew to verify manual control, were not followed. As a result, the ship continued on a path toward land until it ran aground.
The detailed findings of the inquiry are ongoing, with the final report expected in the first quarter of next year. Following the interim findings, a disciplinary process will be initiated for three crew members involved, specifically the officer in control, the supervising officer, and the commanding officer.
In addressing the situation, Golding expressed gratitude for the assistance from various organizations and emphasized the importance of learning from this incident. He also reassured the public that measures to improve training and risk management have already begun.
Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed her disappointment regarding the incident but noted the importance of the Navy’s transparency in assuming responsibility for their actions. She also highlighted the fortunate circumstance that no lives were lost during the grounding and abandonment of the ship, commending the swift actions taken to ensure crew safety.
Salvage operations for the vessel are set to begin around December 16, ahead of the cyclone season, and though the ship was insured for salvage, it was not covered for replacement.
This incident has caused significant introspection within the Royal New Zealand Navy. While it stands as a reminder of the fallibility of human operation and the importance of adhering to protocols, the Navy is poised to implement the lessons learned to enhance their operational safety and effectiveness in the future. There is hope that through vigilance and necessary training upgrades, such occurrences can be avoided moving forward.
Overall, while the sinking of the Manawanui is indeed regrettable, the focus on accountability and improvement underscores a commitment to safeguarding both personnel and the maritime environment.
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