HMNZS Manawanui is submerged in approximately 30 meters of water, and a light sheen of oil from its initial capsizing is being dissipated by the wind and waves, according to Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell.
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) divers began their assessment of the wreckage today at first light after the ship ran aground on a reef south of Upolu on Saturday night and subsequently sank early Sunday morning.
“The dive team has commenced evaluating the area where HMNZS Manawanui sank to gain a clearer understanding of the environmental effects and the necessary clean-up efforts in Samoa,” stated Commodore Arndell.
Various government agencies are collaborating to support the Samoan Government’s response to the incident. Experts from Maritime New Zealand, along with other agencies, are assisting in evaluating the environmental impacts and initiating clean-up measures.
Wildlife specialists from Massey University are contributing to the response, while the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), which has deployed 28 personnel to Samoa, is working in close coordination with the Samoan authorities. The NZDF dispatched a range of equipment to Samoa to aid initial response efforts and mitigate environmental impacts.
This equipment includes remotely operated vehicles to survey the debris field and spill response gear from Maritime NZ, which can be utilized in water and on land.
“Our teams have begun clearing debris from the beach, and environmental assessments and clean-up activities are ongoing,” Commodore Arndell reported.
He emphasized that a light oil sheen from the ship’s capsizing is being naturally dispersed by environmental factors. Maritime NZ responders are collaborating closely with Samoan authorities and NZDF personnel to devise plans for addressing the environmental response. The Royal Navy’s HMS Tamar is also providing security and logistical support in the vicinity.
“As more information is gathered from the responders on the ground, NZDF will transport additional equipment from New Zealand to assist with the response,” Commodore Arndell added.
The site of the wrecked vessel, resting about 30 meters below the surface, has been designated a “prohibited area” by Samoan officials. Late Monday night, 72 out of the 75 crew members and passengers rescued from Manawanui returned to New Zealand aboard a RNZAF C-130J Hercules.
They are currently receiving welfare support and reuniting with their families this afternoon. The three remaining individuals from another government agency are expected to return today via a commercial flight.
Commander Yvonne Gray, the commanding officer of HMNZS Manawanui, expressed her concern, stating this incident was her “worst imagining becoming a reality,” but praised her team’s response.
“However, my team responded exactly as I needed them to. They acted with commitment, comradeship, and, above all, courage.”