Government and environmental agencies in Samoa are on high alert following the sinking of a New Zealand Navy ship off Upolu’s south coast. The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist vessel for diving and hydrographic surveys, ran aground while conducting a reef survey on Saturday night.
A total of 75 crew and passengers were safely evacuated from the ship by liferafts and rescue boats. Samoan fire commissioner Tanuvasa Petone reported that the vessel caught fire overnight and subsequently sank on Sunday morning. Three individuals on board required hospital treatment, but all were deemed safe, sustaining only minor injuries.
Petone described the sea conditions at the time of the incident as “quite rough and windy.” A local resident named Manu expressed concern over the decision to navigate so close to the reef, questioning the ship’s proximity given the sea conditions. He highlighted the potential environmental implications of the grounding and hoped there was no oil leakage from the vessel.
Defence Minister Judith Collins stated that a Court of Inquiry will be initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, noting it was too early to speculate on the reasons for the grounding. She emphasized the importance of addressing any environmental damage and recovering the wreckage of the HMNZS Manawanui, if feasible. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been informed about the situation.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding of the Navy mentioned that two crew members were hospitalized, one with a dislocated shoulder and the other with a back injury, while another 12-15 others suffered minor injuries. Labour’s Defence spokesperson Peeni Henare expressed his relief at the crew’s safety and commended the swift rescue efforts.
The HMNZS Manawanui, launched at a cost of $103 million and operational since November 2019, regularly performs tasks across the Pacific, including recent operations to dispose of underwater World War II munitions. The Defence Force is expected to release further details regarding the incident soon.