The HMNZS Manawanui, a ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy, unfortunately grounded and sank off the southern coast of Samoa on October 5 due to human error, according to an interim report released by the Navy. While conducting survey operations, the vessel struck a reef, leading to its eventual sinking.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, stated that a series of human errors resulted in the ship’s autopilot not being disengaged when it should have been. The crew mistakenly believed that a failure to respond to directional changes was due to a malfunction in the thruster control system, rather than recognizing that the ship was still on autopilot. Golding emphasized that standard procedures were not followed, as the crew failed to check whether the ship was under manual control.
The inquiry into the incident is ongoing, with the final report anticipated to be completed in early 2024. Following the findings regarding human error, a separate disciplinary process is set to take place for three individuals involved in the incident: the officer in control of the ship, the supervising officer, and the commanding officer.
To enhance safety and operational practices, the Navy has already begun implementing immediate changes based on initial lessons learned from this event, including increased training and adjustments to risk management procedures. Golding expressed gratitude for the cooperation from the Transport Accident Investigation Committee (TAIC) and the support from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Defence Minister Judith Collins described the findings as “extremely disappointing,” but noted that it is fortunate that no lives were lost during the incident. She upheld the Navy’s transparency in addressing the mistake while affirming their commitment to learning from it.
The Navy confirmed that salvage operations will begin on December 16, weather permitting, with the aim of completing them ahead of cyclone season. The Manawanui, valued at $100 million, was insured for salvage operations but not for replacement.
This situation highlights the importance of adhering to safety protocols and rigorous training within military operations. The Navy’s commitment to learning from this mishap and improving future practices could turn this unfortunate incident into an opportunity for growth and enhancement of safety standards.
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