HMNZS Manawanui Runs Aground and Sinks off Samoa Coast

The Royal New Zealand Navy ship, HMNZS Manawanui, ran aground on a reef off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, on Saturday evening. The incident occurred during a hydrographic survey operation approximately one nautical mile from the shoreline.

All 75 crew members and passengers onboard the vessel were safely evacuated into lifeboats shortly before 8:00 p.m. local time. The emergency efforts were led by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in collaboration with the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ). Several vessels, including a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon, were deployed to assist in the rescue operation, which was complicated by strong currents and challenging weather conditions.

Commodore Shane Arndell, the Maritime Component Commander, expressed gratitude for the coordinated rescue response. “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,” Arndell stated. The passengers and crew have been provided with support and accommodation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Samoan authorities, pending their return to New Zealand.

The vessel began listing heavily on Sunday morning, and by 9:00 a.m., it had capsized and was submerged. The New Zealand Defence Force is working closely with local authorities to investigate the cause of the grounding and to mitigate any potential environmental impacts resulting from the incident.

This deployment marked the third mission for HMNZS Manawanui to the South West Pacific in the year. The ship was scheduled to conduct activities in various regions including the Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, and Niue, and had departed from Devonport on September 28. It was anticipated to return to New Zealand on November 1.