A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, HMNZS Manawanui, ran aground and sank off Samoa, but all 75 crew and passengers were safely rescued, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said on Sunday. The Manawanui, a dive and hydrographic survey ship, grounded on Saturday night near the southern coast of Upolu while conducting a reef survey.
After the ship ran aground, rescue operations were launched, with several vessels and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft assisting in evacuating the crew and passengers into lifeboats. By Sunday morning, the Manawanui had capsized and was submerged. An oil spill is feared, and local officials are conducting an environmental assessment.
The incident marks the first time since World War II that New Zealand has lost a naval ship. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation. Meanwhile, a plane has been dispatched to bring the rescued personnel back to New Zealand. The Manawanui had been on its third deployment since entering service in 2019.
New Zealand’s navy is already facing operational challenges due to personnel shortages, with three of its remaining eight ships currently idle. The NZDF is working with authorities to assess environmental impacts and understand the incident’s broader implications.
Expanded Coverage:
