A New Zealand naval ship met a tragic fate off the coast of Samoa, with investigations pointing to human error as the primary cause of the incident. The HMNZS Manawanui, which was one of New Zealand’s nine commissioned naval vessels, struck a coral reef before catching fire and eventually sinking.
On October 5, during surveying operations near Upolu, the ship’s crew mistakenly believed they were operating under manual control. Little did they realize, the autopilot feature remained engaged, keeping the ship on a steady course toward the reef. The military court’s inquiry revealed this oversight was not just careless, but indicative of multiple human errors.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding, New Zealand’s Chief of Navy, explained, “The crew did not realize Manawanui remained on autopilot and, as a consequence, mistakenly believed its failure to respond to direction changes was the result of a thruster control failure.” This misunderstanding led the crew to attempt changes they believed would regain control. Unfortunately, it did not occur to them to check the autopilot system, resulting instead in the ship's relentless approach toward danger.
Once the ship struck the reef, the urgency of the situation increased significantly. Commander Yvonne Gray, the ship's captain, ordered the crew to evacuate approximately half an hour after the grounding incident, and thankfully, all 75 personnel aboard the vessel were successfully rescued. They faced perilous conditions during their evacuation, with the local Samoan seafarers offering assistance as they reached safety using life rafts and inflatable boats.
The HMNZS Manawanui sank early the following day, October 6, casting off concerns about the environmental impact of the sunken vessel. With its cargo of around 950 tonnes of diesel, fears ran high for local communities who relied on the sea for their livelihood. Reports confirmed the vessel began leaking oil, raising alarms among nearby coastal villages worried about their food sources. Golding addressed these concerns, stating, “There was still a persistent slow leak” and indicated they were monitoring the situation daily with divers.
The inquiry also uncovered procedural shortcomings within the Navy. Golding indicated the standard protocols, which would normally prompt the crew to check the autopilot status, had not been followed. He regarded this failure as unacceptable and took immediate responsibility for the blunder, ordering audits across the navy’s fleet and ensuring all necessary measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents.
New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins described the sinking as “extremely disappointing” and emphasized the need for accountability following the tragedy. A disciplinary process will follow, focusing on key officers involved, particularly the one in charge at the time of the incident.
Golding reassured the public, saying, “I want to reaffirm our commitment to learning from this tragic event, earn back your trust, and implement any lessons we can derive.” The inquiry is expected to evolve over the next few years, focusing on thorough investigations of training, risk management, and operational protocols.
The loss of the HMNZS Manawanui marks the first incident of its kind for New Zealand since WWII. This bewildering scenario has not only led to despair over the loss of the ship but has raised pressing concerns about the safety and operational efficiency of New Zealand’s navy fleet.
Both the navy officials and the government have received backlash from the incident, with Prime Minister Chris Luxon having to apologize to Samoa—New Zealand’s former colony—for the mishap. Community concerns continue to mount as locals worry about how the spill may impact marine life and their food sources.
The recovery efforts involve salvage operations to secure the remaining fuel and prevent any disastrous oil slicks from polluting the waters. Although New Zealand authorities have mobilized support, apprehension remains among the residents of surrounding coastal areas about the long-term effects of the incident.
The HMNZS Manawanui was initially commissioned to serve various maritime functions, including harbor surveys and explosive disposal. It entered service for the Navy after being purchased from the oil and gas industry, and until this incident, it had performed admirably. Continuous monitoring and recovery operations are set to begin shortly, with teams arriving to assess the situation. While the navy's main fuel tanks reportedly remain intact, there’s still significant work to be done to recover and mitigate the situation.
The court of inquiry continues to look extensively at additional contributing factors, including the readiness of personnel and evaluation of protocols. With results expected to take time to finalize, the coming months will be pivotal for New Zealand's naval operations and its long-standing commitment to safety and community trust.
The ramifications of the HMNZS Manawanui’s grounding and sinking are yet to be fully realized, but one thing remains clear: accountability and reform will be necessary to restore faith among the public and safeguard future naval missions.
