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 specialized dive and hydrographic vessel, was conducting a reef survey when it ran aground on Saturday night.
A total of 75 crew members and passengers were evacuated from the ship using liferafts and other boats. Samoa’s fire commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone, reported that the vessel caught fire and sank on Sunday morning after the successful evacuation. Three individuals on board required hospitalization, but all were safe on land, with only minor injuries reported.
Petone noted that the sea conditions were “quite rough and windy” at the time of the incident.
Local resident Manu expressed concern about the ship’s proximity to the reef, questioning the decision to navigate so closely given the prevailing swell conditions. He emphasized the potential environmental damage that may result from the grounding and expressed hope that there had been no oil spill.
Defence Minister Judith Collins, speaking from the Devonport Naval Base, described it as “a very sad day for the Navy.” She announced plans for a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the grounding while stressing that it was too early to speculate on the reasons for the incident. Collins highlighted the immediate need to address environmental impacts and salvage efforts for the HMNZS Manawanui.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, confirmed that two crew members were hospitalized—one with a dislocated shoulder and the other with back injuries—while an additional 12 to 15 personnel sustained minor injuries.
Labour’s Defence spokesperson Peeni Henare called the incident devastating and expressed gratitude for the safety of the crew. He acknowledged the coordinated rescue efforts involving New Zealand and international partners to support Samoa during this challenging situation.
The Defence Force plans to release more information later on Sunday.
The HMNZS Manawanui, a research vessel, frequently undertakes missions across the Pacific. The ship, which underwent a $103 million acquisition and conversion process completed in 2019, had departed Auckland’s Devonport naval base for the Pacific on September 29.
Maritime operations commander Commodore Shane Arndell indicated that the grounding occurred during a reef survey, with the crew initially evacuated onto liferafts before being transported to safety. The New Zealand Defence Force collaborated closely with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre to facilitate the rescue, deploying several vessels and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon for assistance.
Photographic evidence from the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority showed the crew being assisted into ambulances, with rescuers ensuring their wellbeing. The HMNZS Manawanui has been actively serving since November 2019, notably conducting underwater operations in response to submerged World War II bombs in various Pacific regions earlier this year.