The HMNZS Manawanui, a $63 million Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa on October 5, following a series of human errors that left the ship on autopilot during critical operations. Preliminary findings from a military Court of Inquiry released on Friday have shed light on the sequence of events that led to the disaster, which marks the first loss of a New Zealand naval ship since World War II.
The Manawanui was conducting a hydrographic survey near the island of Upolu when it struck a reef approximately 1.6 kilometers from shore at a speed of 10 knots (11 mph). Believing the ship’s failure to respond to direction changes was due to a thruster control malfunction, crew members attempted multiple maneuvers but did not verify whether the autopilot was disengaged. The ship remained on autopilot and continued on its path until grounding and becoming stranded.
#LATEST: NZ Navy ship, HMNZS Manawanui, a dive and hydrographic vessel that sank accidentally was left on autopilot before sinking, inquiry finds
New Zealand Navy chief Garin Golding admitted a “series of human errors” was to blame for the HMNZS Manawanui crashing into a coral… pic.twitter.com/fx5TI3Jo2d
— Defence Matrix (@Defencematrix1) November 29, 2024
The vessel suffered catastrophic fires and ultimately sank the following morning. All 75 personnel aboard were safely evacuated within 30 minutes of the initial grounding.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, described the incident as a result of “a series of human errors.” The court found that crew members failed to follow standard protocols that required verifying the ship’s manual control status. Rear Admiral Golding emphasized the role of muscle memory and inadequate checks, stating that the crew’s reliance on faulty assumptions contributed to the grounding.
The interim report also identified broader issues such as gaps in training, planning, supervision, and risk assessment. Three individuals on the ship’s bridge at the time of the incident—the officer in control, a supervising officer, and the commanding officer—may face disciplinary actions pending further investigation.
The sinking of the Manawanui raised concerns about potential environmental damage. The ship was carrying 950 tons of diesel fuel, leading to fears of pollution along the nearby coastline. However, New Zealand officials have reported minimal leakage, with most of the fuel believed to have burned off in the fire. Divers continue to monitor the wreck for any persistent leaks, and specialized equipment is being deployed to remove remaining fuel and pollutants from the vessel.
The Manawanui’s loss has also impacted New Zealand’s naval capabilities, reducing its fleet to eight ships. The vessel, built in 2003 and acquired by New Zealand in 2019, was primarily used for hydrographic surveys, underwater explosive disposal, and search-and-recovery missions.
Rear Admiral Golding and Defense Minister Judith Collins acknowledged the reputational damage caused by the incident. Golding pledged to implement lessons learned from the inquiry, including updates to training protocols, risk management practices, and operational procedures.
“This has had an impact on our reputation,” Golding stated. “We will own it, fix it, and learn from it. It is on me, as Chief of Navy, to earn back public trust.”
Defense officials have committed to further investigations to identify additional contributing factors, with the full Court of Inquiry report expected in early 2025.
