A New Zealand navy ship, the HMNZS Manawanui, ran aground and sank about a mile off the coast of Upolu, Samoa, early Sunday. All 75 individuals on board were safely evacuated as the vessel foundered. The incident marked the first time New Zealand lost a ship at sea since World War II.
Initial concerns of a major fuel spill were raised by Samoan Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, but subsequent assessments by divers and marine experts found no evidence of significant oil leakage onto the reefs or surrounding areas. Small oil leakages from the vessel were contained using specialized equipment.
The passengers, including civilian scientists and foreign military personnel, faced challenging conditions and darkness as they disembarked the ship on lifeboats. One individual was treated for minor injuries, while up to 17 others sustained cuts, bruises, or suspected concussions.
An Air Force plane transported 72 survivors from the ship to an air base in Auckland. The cause of the accident, suspected to be a loss of power leading to grounding, will be investigated in a court of inquiry.
The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, had been in service for New Zealand since 2019 but was 20 years old and previously owned by Norway. The ship was surveying a reef off Upolu when it ran aground and began taking on water.
Local reports indicated debris in the water and on the shoreline, with concerns about potential damage to the fragile reef ecosystem. Marine scientists are conducting water sample tests for any oil traces.
The vessel, purchased for $100 million NZ dollars in 2018, was not covered by replacement insurance. The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by New Zealand's aging military hardware, with the navy described as 'extremely fragile' in a recent report.
The HMNZS Manawanui had undergone maintenance before deployment, and the experienced captain had been with the vessel for two years.
