HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist diving and oceanographic New Zealand survey vessel, sank off the coast of Samoa on October 5, 2024, during a reef survey mission.
The ship, which happens to currently be one of New Zealand's most important naval assets, grounded near the island of Upolu, caught fire, capsized, and sank. Thankfully, all 75 crew members were safely evacuated, but there have been speculations of a potential environmental disaster.
By Sunday morning, the vessel was “listing heavily,” the navy said. Smoke was spotted around 6:40 a.m., and by 9 a.m. the ship had sunk below the water surface.
What is The HMNZS Manawuni?
The Manawanui, which was originally a Norwegian vessel, was purchased by New Zealand in 2018 and commissioned in 2019 after being retrofitted for its new role in diving and hydrographic operations.
Ever since its purchase, the HMNZS Manawuni was important for missions that involved underwater recovery, survey operations, and supporting scientific research in the South Pacific. It played an important part in New Zealand's environmental efforts in the region.
How Did The Incident Happen?
Samoan police received a distress call just before 7 p.m. on Saturday night, according to local authorities. Small boats were dispatched with the warning that the ship was taking on water and its crew would likely need evacuating.
Numerous vessels and aircraft were sent to help, including a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon and C-130J aircraft, the New Zealand navy said.
Effect of the New Zealand Naval Ship Capsize
The HMNZS Manawuni’s sinking is the first unintentional sinking of a New Zealand naval vessel since World War Two, authorities said, as they opened a court of inquiry into what happened.
Local businesses and conservationists now fear the potential environmental impact of the accident, which occurred in waters off Samoa’s most populated island.
“We have a large population of sea turtles that swim around our lagoon, and people enjoy that. I'm hoping that nothing happens to them,” the manager at Coconuts Beach Club at Maninoa said following the sinking of the ship.
In response to the potential environmental effect, New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins stated that the authorities’ first priority was assessing the depth of the vessel and the risk of a spill.
“It’s got a lot of oil on board. …. It’s got lubricating oil, hydro oil, diesel, urea. It’s got a lot of stuff in it. And I don’t think we can just sort of leave it like that,” she said.
“Divers were sent to the scene on Sunday night,” she continued. “They’ll be having a look to see what they can, but it’s going to be quite a big job.”
Acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio said in a press statement Sunday that an oil spill was highly probable.
“The HMNZS Manawanui is not recoverable and has sunk into the ocean,” he said.
In response, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said that “environmental spill kits” had been sent from New Zealand to help mitigate and minimize the effects.
Closing Note
With the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui, one can only be glad there were no lives lost and hope for better naval preparation to avoid damages that could affect the global climate.