New Zealand Navy’s specialist dive and hydrographic vessel Manawanui ran aground and sank off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, late last night. Fortunately, all 75 crew members and passengers aboard were rescued and are safe, according to a statement released today by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The incident occurred as the Manawanui was conducting a routine reef survey, but the situation escalated after the vessel struck an underwater obstruction. Commodore Shane Arndell, the maritime component commander of the NZDF, confirmed in his statement that emergency response operations were swift, involving multiple vessels and air support to evacuate the crew and passengers from lifeboats. The cause of the grounding is currently unknown and is under investigation.
The Manawanui was conducting hydrographic survey work, a critical operation aimed at charting underwater topography, when it hit the reef late in the evening. With quick thinking and coordination, the crew was able to abandon the vessel and board lifeboats as part of their emergency evacuation procedures.
Several nearby vessels responded promptly, assisting in the evacuation process. In addition to the efforts at sea, the Royal New Zealand Air Force deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, a highly advanced maritime surveillance plane, to provide aerial support and assist in the coordination of the rescue. The rapid response helped ensure that all aboard the Manawanui were safely rescued, avoiding any casualties or serious injuries.
“The professionalism and efficiency of the response teams, both from New Zealand and Samoa, was outstanding,” Commodore Arndell stated. “We’re relieved to report that all crew and passengers were safely evacuated and that minor injuries were quickly treated.”
Local media outlets have published video footage and photographs that capture the extent of the damage to the Manawanui. Images show the vessel listing heavily on its side, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky shortly after it ran aground. By early morning, the situation had worsened as the Manawanui capsized and was completely submerged by 9 AM local time.
The Manawanui, which cost the New Zealand government NZ$103 million (RM267 million) when it was commissioned in 2018, was a highly specialized vessel designed for diving, salvage, and hydrographic survey missions. The vessel’s loss represents a significant blow to New Zealand’s naval capabilities, particularly at a time when the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) is already operating with limited resources. Currently, three of its nine ships are inactive due to personnel shortages, compounding the impact of the Manawanui’s sinking.
In addition to the immediate concern for human safety, the grounding of the Manawanui has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact. The Manawanui was conducting a reef survey when the incident occurred, and the area around Upolu’s southern coast is known for its fragile coral ecosystems.
The NZDF stated in its official release that it is “working with authorities to understand the implications and minimize the environmental impacts” of the incident. However, with the vessel now lying beneath the surface, the risk of fuel spills and other contaminants affecting the surrounding marine environment remains a critical issue that will need to be addressed in the coming days.
Samoan authorities, along with Australian Defence personnel and New Zealand’s rescue coordination center, are now closely monitoring the area and planning the next steps to mitigate any environmental damage. Salvage operations will be complicated by the ship’s position and the challenging underwater terrain, but Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of the New Zealand Navy, expressed optimism that the salvage team would be able to recover as much of the vessel as possible.
As the immediate rescue operation winds down, attention is now turning to the investigation into what caused the Manawanui to run aground. Speaking at a press conference in Auckland, Rear Admiral Golding confirmed that a full investigation would be launched to determine the factors leading to the accident. “We need to understand what happened here so we can prevent anything like this from occurring in the future,” he said.
Defense Minister Judith Collins also addressed the media, calling the incident “really challenging for everybody on board.” She expressed her sympathy for the crew, who had to evacuate the ship under perilous circumstances, and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation.
“I know that what has happened is going to take quite a bit of time to process,” Collins said. “I look forward to pinpointing the cause so that we can learn from it and avoid a repeat.” Collins also highlighted the importance of focusing on salvaging what remains of the vessel. The Navy’s salvage and dive teams are expected to begin work soon, once the safety of the surrounding area is confirmed.
While the Manawanui is designed for complex diving and salvage operations, recovering its own wreckage presents a unique challenge, especially in the difficult conditions around the reef where it sank.
The loss of the Manawanui comes at a particularly difficult time for the Royal New Zealand Navy, which has been operating at reduced capacity due to personnel shortages. Currently, three of the Navy’s nine ships are docked and inactive because of a lack of qualified sailors. The sinking of the Manawanui further diminishes the Navy’s operational capabilities, and the strain is being felt across the force.
Despite these challenges, the Navy’s leadership remains confident in their ability to overcome the incident and continue serving both New Zealand and the broader Pacific region. Rear Admiral Golding emphasized that while the loss of the Manawanui is a setback, the Navy’s other vessels remain ready to take on the critical roles the Manawanui once filled.
The rescue and recovery efforts have highlighted the importance of regional cooperation between New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia. The Samoan Police, Prison and Corrections Service, along with Australian Defence personnel, played a crucial role in coordinating the rescue alongside the New Zealand rescue coordination center. This cooperation underscores the close relationships that New Zealand maintains with its Pacific neighbors, particularly when responding to crises at sea.
Samoa’s emergency services have continued to work with the NZDF to assess the situation and monitor the environmental impact. “The collaboration with the Samoan authorities has been crucial to the success of the rescue operation,” Rear Admiral Golding said. “We’re grateful for their partnership and continued assistance as we begin the next phase of recovery.”
As the Navy and Defence Force begin to process the events surrounding the sinking of the Manawanui, there are several immediate priorities. First, the repatriation of the 75 crew and passengers who were rescued. Rear Admiral Golding confirmed that a plane will depart for Samoa on Sunday to bring them back to New Zealand, where they will undergo medical evaluations and debriefing.
Once the crew and passengers are safely home, the focus will shift fully to investigating the incident and determining the exact cause of the grounding. Given the complex nature of hydrographic surveying and the challenging conditions in the South Pacific, it may take some time to gather all the necessary data.
In the long term, the Navy will need to assess how to replace the specialized capabilities that the Manawanui provided. The vessel played a key role in conducting diving, salvage, and survey missions around New Zealand and across the South West Pacific. With its loss, there will likely be increased pressure on the Navy’s remaining ships to cover a wide range of tasks, further exacerbating the challenges posed by the ongoing personnel shortages.
The sinking of the Manawanui off the coast of Samoa marks a significant event for the Royal New Zealand Navy, both in terms of the immediate operational impact and the longer-term implications for the Navy’s capabilities. The successful rescue of all 75 crew and passengers, thanks to the coordinated efforts of New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia, is a testament to the professionalism and preparedness of the teams involved.
As the investigation into the cause of the grounding unfolds, the Navy and Defence Force will face the dual challenges of salvaging the vessel and addressing the environmental concerns surrounding the wreckage. Despite these difficulties, there remains a strong sense of resilience and determination within New Zealand’s armed forces to overcome the loss and continue their critical missions in the region.
