Government and environmental agencies in Samoa are on high alert following a fire that caused the HMNZS Manawanui, a New Zealand Navy ship, to sink off the southern coast of Upolu. The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel was engaged in a reef survey when it struck the reef on Saturday night.
All 75 crew members and passengers were evacuated using liferafts and other rescue boats. Samoa’s fire commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone, reported that the fire broke out and the ship sank on Sunday morning after a successful rescue operation. He noted that three individuals from the ship required hospital treatment.
Petone described the weather conditions as “quite rough and windy.”
A local resident, Manu, expressed confusion as to why the ship was navigating so close to the reef, emphasizing the dangers posed by the rocky underwater terrain. He raised concerns about potential environmental damage resulting from the grounding and hoped there were no oil leaks from the ship.
In response to the incident, Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed her sorrow over the situation and announced plans for a Court of Inquiry to investigate the grounding’s cause, acknowledging it was too soon to draw conclusions.
She emphasized immediate efforts to address environmental concerns and the potential salvage of the HMNZS Manawanui. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been informed about the ongoing situation.
The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, confirmed that two crew members had been hospitalized — one with a dislocated shoulder and another with back pain — with additional personnel suffering from minor injuries.
Labour’s Defence spokesperson Peeni Henare labeled the incident devastating and expressed relief at the crew’s safe evacuation, commending those involved in the rescue operations.
The Defence Force plans to share further details on Sunday.
The HMNZS Manawanui, which specializes in diving and hydrographic tasks, frequently operates throughout the Pacific. It underwent significant conversion in 2019, costing around $103 million. Tracking data indicated the ship was aground near Siumu around 10:45 PM on Saturday.
Maritime component commander Commodore Shane Arndell reported the grounding occurred during a reef survey. The New Zealand Defence Force collaborated with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre to facilitate the rescue, with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon also deployed for assistance.
Images released by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority depicted crew members being transported to ambulances and the successful evacuation efforts. Despite the incident, the crew appeared to be in good spirits.
The HMNZS Manawanui left Auckland’s Devonport naval base for the Pacific on September 29. The vessel’s core crew consists of 39, and it has been operational since November 2019, with a maximum speed of 14 knots (26 km/h). In November 2023, it participated in a major operation to conduct underwater surveys and help dispose of World War II-era submerged bombs in Niue, Fiji, and Vanuatu. Commanding Officer Yvonne Gray previously highlighted the significance of such deployments for crew members hailing from Pacific nations as a means to contribute to their communities.