Government and environmental agencies in Samoa are on high alert following an incident involving a New Zealand Navy ship that caught fire and subsequently sank off the southern coast of Upolu. The HMNZS Manawanui, recognized as a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, was performing a reef survey when it struck the reef on Saturday night.
A total of 75 crew members and passengers were successfully evacuated using liferafts and other boats that arrived for assistance. Samoa’s fire commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone, reported that the ship ignited and sank on Sunday morning after the rescue operation, with three individuals requiring hospital treatment.
“They’re all on land now. They are safe and sound, with just a few individuals suffering from minor injuries, which were treated on-site before being transferred to the hospital,” Petone stated. He noted that the weather conditions were “quite rough and windy.”
One concerned local, Manu, witnessed the HMNZS Manawanui navigating perilously close to the reef before running aground. He expressed confusion over why the vessel was so close in the first place. “He crashed on a bommie. A bommie is a piece of reef that is much deeper than surrounding areas, which only breaks during significant swells. We just experienced a major swell, and there would have been residual sets,” he explained. Manu voiced concerns about potential environmental damage from the ship striking the reef and hoped there was no oil leak.
Defence Minister Judith Collins, from Devonport Naval Base, described the incident as “a very sad day for the Navy.” She announced plans for a Court of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the grounding, emphasizing that it’s too early to speculate on the reasons behind it. Her immediate focus remains on minimizing environmental impact and possibly salvaging the remnants of the HMNZS Manawanui.
Collins stated that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had been updated on the situation. Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, confirmed that two individuals were hospitalized, one with a dislocated shoulder and another with a back injury, while an additional 12-15 suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Labour’s Defence spokesperson Peeni Henare characterized the event as devastating, extending his best wishes to the crew onboard the HMNZS Manawanui. “I’m relieved to hear they are all safe and out of harm’s way,” he said. Henare acknowledged the commendable effort of those involved in coordinating the rescue of the New Zealand crew and expressed confidence that New Zealand and its partners would provide timely support to Samoa during this challenging period. Additional information from the Defence Force is expected on Sunday afternoon.
The HMNZS Manawanui, specialized for dive and hydrographic operations, frequently undertakes missions across the Pacific. In 2018, it was reported that the ship would cost $103 million for purchase and conversion, which was finalized in 2019. According to tracking data, the vessel was grounded near Siumu village on Upolu’s southern coast at 10:45 PM on Saturday while conducting the reef survey.
Commodore Shane Arndell, commander of the maritime component, confirmed the grounding occurred during survey operations. Initially, the 75 crew and passengers were evacuated to liferafts before being transported ashore. Arndell noted that they are being supported in Samoa or on nearby vessels. The New Zealand Defence Force collaborated closely with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) to manage the rescue efforts, which included several vessels and a deployment of a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon.
Photographs released by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority depicted crew members being assisted into ambulances and liferafts. Overall, they appeared to be in good spirits.
The HMNZS Manawanui set sail from Auckland’s Devonport naval base for the Pacific on September 29. According to the Defence Force website, the ship has a standard crew of 39 and has been operational since November 2019, with a maximum speed of 14 knots (approximately 26 km/h). In November 2023, the vessel was utilized in a seven-week operation for underwater surveys and to help dispose of submerged World War II bombs in Niue, Fiji, and Vanuatu. Commanding Officer Yvonne Gray has noted that some crew members hail from Pacific nations, making deployments a way for them to give back to their communities.