On October 5, 2024, New Zealand’s HMNZS Manawanui, valued at NZ$147 million (AU$130 million), found itself on the wrong side of misfortune as it ran aground off the southern coast of Samoa during routine survey operations. The ship, which had only been commissioned for service since 2019, met its end after suffering catastrophic failures attributed to human error—a grim milestone marking the first naval vessel New Zealand has lost at sea since World War II. According to the Navy’s inquiry report, the calamity was precipitated by the crew’s unawareness of the ship’s autopilot system being engaged, which led them to mistakenly believe they were facing thruster control failure.
The HMNZS Manawanui was engaged in survey operations amid challenging weather conditions, with winds up to 25 knots and moderate swells. By around 6:15 PM local time, as the crew attempted to execute what should have been a straightforward maneuver, the ship’s unresponsiveness became evident. Despite several measures taken to regain control, the vessel accelerated uncontrollably toward the reef at speeds surpassing 10 knots, leading to the initial grounding incident just two minutes later.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding, New Zealand’s Chief of Navy, elaborated on the investigation, noting, “The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship's autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been.” This oversight allowed the vessel to maintain its course toward land, culminating in its disastrous grounding on the reef.
The crew’s failure to check the status of the autopilot system—a procedure deemed standard—emerged as the chief factor contributing to the tragedy. Golding commented, “Having mistakenly assessed a thruster control failure, standard procedures should have prompted the ship’s crew to check whether the ship was under manual control rather than autopilot. This check did not occur.”
This unfortunate sequence unfolded over just 12 minutes but had far-reaching consequences. After grounding several times on the reef, control was only regained shortly before the crew made the decision to abandon ship. By approximately 6:46 PM, with the ship lost and engulfed by flames soon after, all 75 crew members evacuated safely.
While evacuation was successfully executed without injury, the aftermath saw concerns raised about potential environmental repercussions due to diesel leaks caused by the sinking vessel. The New Zealand authorities have stated most of the fuel burned off during the subsequent fire; nevertheless, divers have been monitoring the situation for the remaining leaks.
Disciplinary actions are anticipated, particularly for the three officers responsible on the bridge during the incident, as the inquiry continues to unravel the layers of responsibility on board the HMNZS Manawanui. Golding reassured, “I want to reaffirm public trust. We will learn from this incident, and it is my responsibility as Chief of Navy to earn it back.”
Further stages of the inquiry are expected to conclude and provide more comprehensive findings by early 2025. It remains to be seen how this tragedy will impact naval operations and protocols going forward, but immediate steps include fleet audits and enhancements to training regimens.
Public reaction has been mixed, with harsh criticisms directed at the ship’s captain, Yvonne Gray, who has faced intense scrutiny and retribution online, often fueled by misogynistic rhetoric. New Zealand’s Defense Minister has vocally condemned such abuses, emphasizing the captain’s decisive actions helped save lives during the incident.
Overall, the future of HMNZS Manawanui seems lost, but the lessons it leaves behind might forge new paths for New Zealand’s naval practices. This tragic demise of the vessel serves as reminder of the pivotal importance of vigilance and adherence to protocols, especially on vessels traversing dangerous waters.