The HMNZS Manawanui, a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, sank off the coast of Samoa due to human error, according to an interim report. The ship ran aground on October 5 while performing survey operations, striking a reef on the southern side of Samoa.
Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding reported that a series of human mistakes led to the grounding. He explained that the ship’s autopilot was inadvertently left engaged, causing crew members to misinterpret the ship’s failure to respond to direction changes as a malfunction in the thrusters. Standard procedures should have prompted the crew to verify that the vessel was in manual control, but this step was neglected, ultimately leading to the ship’s course towards land and grounding.
Golding noted that a comprehensive Court of Inquiry is underway to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident, with findings expected in early 2025. A disciplinary process will follow once the inquiry is complete, targeting the officer in control, the supervising officer, and the commanding officer for their roles in the grounding.
In immediate response, the Royal New Zealand Navy has begun audits and implemented interim lessons focusing on training and risk management to prevent similar incidents in the future. Golding expressed gratitude for the cooperation received from the Transport Accident Investigation Committee, alongside support from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Defence Minister Judith Collins described the findings as “extremely disappointing,” emphasizing the impact on the personnel involved. However, she highlighted the fortunate outcome that there were no fatalities during the incident. She commended the Navy’s accountability and their commitment to rectifying the underlying issues.
With salvage operations scheduled to begin mid-December, Golding reassured the public that measures would be taken to regain trust and ensure safety moving forward. The sinking of the $100 million vessel was unfortunate, but no lives were lost, indicating resilience and commendable decision-making during a crisis. The incident serves as a crucial learning opportunity for the Navy in terms of safety procedures and effective communication among crew members.
Although the situation is serious, the commitment from the Navy and the support from the Samoan authorities illustrate a hopeful path toward improvement and recovery. This incident reinforces the importance of vigilance and accountability within military operations, ensuring similar occurrences are avoided in the future.
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