HMNZS Manawanui: What happened after the ship ran aground

Sunday, 6 October 2024

A New Zealand naval ship now lies underwater off the coast of Samoa, after it ran aground and capsized while conducting a survey of the area.

The HMNZS Manawanui left Auckland’s Devonport little more than a week before the commanding officer made the “swift” decision to evacuate the 75 crew and passengers from the listing ship on Saturday night.

It’s a decision which Defence Minister Judith Collins and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding say likely prevented loss of life.

Exactly what caused the vessel to become grounded is unknown at this stage, but in a press conference on Sunday, Collins and Golding released some detail known so far.

The timeline

On Saturday evening - October 5 - HMNZS Manawanui was conducting a hydrographic survey about 1 nautical mile from shore.

Collins said this was an area she believed had not been surveyed since 1987.

It was the HMNZS Manawanui’s third deployment to the South West Pacific this year.

The ship had a series of activities scheduled, including in the Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue.

On Saturday night, they’d completed their survey task, when the vessel “ran aground the reef” off the southern coast of Upolu in Samoa, Golding said.

6.46pm: HMNZS Manawanui ran aground

In the press conference, Golding said there were attempts to get the vessel off the reef, which were unsuccessful.

The ship then started to list (lean to one side).

7.52pm: The Commanding Officer made the decision to evacuate the ship

The 75 crew and passengers on board, including seven civilians from scientific agencies and four foreign military personnel, began evacuating into lifeboats just before 8pm.

Golding said evacuating a ship at night is an “incredibly complex” and “dangerous” task.

All personnel were evacuated using four life rafts and two small rigid hull inflatable boats, Golding said.

They were attempting to move away from the reef, so they could be rescued by other vessels.

The weather was described as “extremely challenging”— it was dark, and in “heavy sea”.

Rescue teams worked throughout the night to ensure those on board returned to land safely, Golding said, battling currents, swells and winds that were pushing the life rafts and sea boats toward the reefs.

Sunday 1am: The first people were rescued from life rafts

When people were starting to be rescued from life rafts, one of the small boats “flipped on the reef”, and those on board walked to land, Golding said.

By 5.35am: All personnel had been rescued

The New Zealand Defence Force worked closely with the Rescue Coordination Centre, who led the rescue effort.

Numerous vessels responded to provide assistance, and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was also deployed to assist.

Two people sought hospital treatment, including one who suffered a dislocated shoulder, and another who injured their back.

Golding said between 12-15 others had minor cuts and abrasions, and sore body parts.

6.40am: The ship was listing heavily and smoke was visible

The ship could be seen in the sea, leaning heavily to one side.

New Zealander Dave Poole, who was on holiday with his family in Samoa, and drove to the scene early on Sunday.

The ship did not initially appear to be sinking then, 'the boat was lying on its side, smoke pouring out'. He then watched the vessel 'slowly sink'.

9.00am: The HMNZS Manawanui had capsized and was below the surface of the water

On Sunday afternoon, Golding said efforts from all those involved were deserving of “much praise, given the conditions”.

“We thank you all.”

Collins acknowledged that the incident would have been “really challenging” for everybody onboard, and that it would likely take “quite a bit of time” for people to process.

Where to from here?

The Defence Force was working with authorities to understand the implications, mitigate any environmental impacts, and assess salvaging options at this stage.

It would be sending aircraft to Samoa to “bring our people home”.

The first aircraft was expected to fly from Aotearoa to Samoa on Sunday, Golding said.

There will be a dive team on board, with salvage equipment (depth-dependent), and welfare support for the crew.

Given it was now under the water, Golding noted that recovering the vessel, would be “very difficult” — depending on the depth.

“The primary focus, now that our people are safe, is to mitigate any environmental impacts.”

Collins said it is hoped that any environmental impacts would be “minimal”, and that they are working with relevant parties to establish what’s needed and how we can assist.

There will be a Court of Inquiry into what happened.

Collins said they recognise that this is an urgent situation, requiring a rapid response, “and we are doing everything possible to provide that”.

Golding said that at this stage it was “too early to speculate” on how the vessel came to be grounded.

“I’m very aware that we want answers, and I know that in time, following an investigation, we will have a full understanding of what occurred today.”

Collins said the recovery effort was an “extraordinary feat of keeping people together, and keeping them safe”.

She said the fact nobody lost their lives was “something of a triumph frankly, given the very, very difficult circumstances”.