6-10-2024 (WELLINGTON) A Royal New Zealand Navy ship has run aground and subsequently sunk off the coast of Samoa, prompting a swift rescue operation that saw all 75 crew members and passengers safely evacuated. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) confirmed the event in a statement released on Sunday, marking a significant blow to the nation’s naval capabilities.
The ill-fated vessel, Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic ship, encountered trouble near the southern coast of Upolu on Saturday evening while conducting a routine reef survey. Commodore Shane Arndell, the maritime component commander of the NZDF, reported that several vessels responded to the distress call, assisting in the rescue of personnel who had taken to lifeboats.
In a display of rapid response, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft was dispatched to support the rescue efforts. The cause of the grounding remains undetermined and will be subject to a thorough investigation, according to NZDF officials.
Local media captured dramatic footage of the Manawanui listing heavily, with plumes of thick grey smoke billowing from the stricken vessel. The ship, which had been acquired by the New Zealand government in 2018 for a sum of NZ$103 million, eventually capsized and slipped beneath the waves by 9 a.m. local time on Sunday.
The NZDF has pledged to work closely with authorities to assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts resulting from the sinking. Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, addressed the media in Auckland, announcing plans to repatriate the rescued crew and passengers to New Zealand via a specially arranged flight.
While the majority of those rescued escaped unscathed, Rear Admiral Golding acknowledged that some individuals had sustained minor injuries, primarily from traversing the treacherous reef during the evacuation.
Defence Minister Judith Collins characterised the incident as “really challenging for everybody on board” and emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences. “I look forward to pinpointing the cause so that we can learn from it and avoid a repeat,” Collins stated, adding that immediate efforts would focus on salvaging any recoverable parts of the vessel.
Tragic news – Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS Manawanui (A09) support vessel runs aground off of Samoa and then later burns and sinks – good news is all crew has made it to Samoa with just minor injuries – October 5, 2024 #hmnzsmanawanui #a09
SRC: INT- the https://t.co/fDOuRy3rLV /… pic.twitter.com/uyedjjaTOL
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) October 5, 2024
