HMNZS Manawanui hits reef and sinks off Samoa

Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Manawanui hit a reef off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, on Saturday evening while the ship was conducting a reef survey.

FILE PHOTO (July 2020): HMNZS Manawanui at sea for the first time under Royal New Zealand Navy Control, in the Hauraki Gulf. NZDF photo. 

Photos circulating on social media today show the ship listing heavily and emitting smoke.

New Zealand Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell said all crew and passengers from the ship were rescued in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“The 75 crew and passengers on board HMNZS Manawanui have made it to safety in Samoa and are being supported in Samoa or on supporting vessels,” Commodore Arndell said.

“The 75 left the ship in life rafts and sea boats after the ship grounded.

“New Zealand Defence Force worked closely with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) which coordinated rescue efforts.

“Several vessels responded and assisted in rescuing crew and passengers.

“A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was also deployed.”

Commodore Arndell said the incident occurred on Saturday evening while conducting a hydrographic survey 1 nautical mile from shore.

“The 75 crew and passengers began evacuating into lifeboats at 7.52 pm on Saturday 5 October,” he said.

“Rescuers battled currents and winds that were pushing the life rafts and sea boats toward the reefs, and swells made the rescue effort particularly challenging.

“We are very grateful for the assistance of everyone involved, from RCCNZ who coordinated rescue efforts, to the vessels which responded and took our crew and passengers from Manawanui to safety.

“At this stage the exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation.

“At 6.40am Sunday, the ship was listing heavily and smoke was visible from the ship.

At 9am it was known to have capsized and was below the surface.

“NZDF is working with authorities to understand the implications and minimise the environmental impacts.”

Support is being provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Samoan authorities to the crew and passengers from Manawanui, who are being accommodated in Samoa.

NZDF will send aircraft to Samoa to bring them back to New Zealand.

This was HMNZS Manawanui’s third deployment to the South West Pacific this year.

The ship had a series of activities scheduled including in the Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue.

She sailed from Devonport on 28 September and was due to return home on 1 November.

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