A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, the HMNZS Manawanui, tragically ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa, according to a statement released by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on Sunday. Despite the incident, all 75 crew members and passengers aboard the vessel were safely rescued. The Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, encountered the accident while conducting a reef survey near the southern coast of Upolu on Saturday.
According to Commodore Shane Arndell, the maritime component commander of the NZDF, several vessels responded quickly to the distress call, assisting in the rescue operation. The crew and passengers had already evacuated the ship using lifeboats by the time the responding vessels arrived. “All those rescued are being supported either in Samoa or aboard the assisting vessels,” said Commodore Arndell. Initially, it had been reported that there were 78 people aboard the ship, but later clarifications confirmed the number to be 75.
In addition to the maritime rescue efforts, the Royal New Zealand Air Force deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft to aid in the operation. The plane played a crucial role in providing aerial support and monitoring the situation as it unfolded. However, the cause of the grounding remains unclear, and an investigation is set to follow to determine the underlying factors that led to the vessel running aground.
The local media in Samoa captured dramatic images and videos showing the Manawanui listing heavily after the accident. Thick gray smoke could be seen billowing from the stricken ship, further highlighting the severity of the situation. By 9 a.m. local time, the vessel had capsized and was almost entirely submerged beneath the surface. The New Zealand Defence Force has since expressed its commitment to working closely with local authorities to assess the environmental impact and take appropriate action to minimize any potential damage caused by the sinking.
Rescue operations have been coordinated by Samoan emergency services in collaboration with Australian Defence personnel. Additionally, the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre has been involved in providing assistance to ensure the safe evacuation of the passengers and crew. In a statement posted on social media, the Samoa Police, Prison and Corrections Service thanked all agencies involved for their swift response in preventing any loss of life during the incident.
The Manawanui, acquired by New Zealand in 2018 at a cost of NZ$103 million, plays a vital role in the Navy’s operations, conducting a variety of specialist tasks, including diving, salvage, and hydrographic surveys. The vessel’s importance extends beyond New Zealand’s waters, as it is frequently deployed across the wider southwest Pacific region for various missions.
This incident comes at a challenging time for the Royal New Zealand Navy, which is already operating with reduced capacity. Currently, three of the Navy’s nine vessels are idle due to personnel shortages, a problem that has placed additional strain on the fleet. The loss of the Manawanui is expected to further exacerbate these operational challenges, reducing the Navy’s ability to respond to various maritime tasks in the near future.
As the investigation continues, authorities will focus on understanding the circumstances that led to the grounding and the subsequent sinking of the vessel. In the meantime, efforts will likely shift toward addressing the potential environmental risks posed by the incident. The New Zealand Defence Force has reassured the public that it will work diligently with both Samoan and international partners to mitigate any negative environmental impacts that may arise.
While the crew and passengers of the Manawanui were fortunately unharmed, the sinking of the vessel represents a significant loss for the New Zealand Navy. As investigations proceed, more information is expected to emerge, providing clarity on the causes of the grounding and the lessons to be learnt to prevent such incidents in the future.
