The Manawanui naval ship, known for its crucial role in the Royal New Zealand Navy, found itself in distress after an unexpected grounding, leading to its sinking in early October. The incident has triggered an extensive response from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), with efforts focused on mitigating environmental damage and ensuring the safe recovery of the vessel. This article delves into the background of the Manawanui, the events leading up to its sinking, and the ongoing recovery operation, aptly named “Operation Resolution.”

Watch NZDF Senior National Representative, Commodore Andrew Brown, share an update on Operation Resolution – the NZDF’s response to the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui. (The transcript is at the bottom of this article.) https://www.facebook.com/NZDefenceForce/videos/8824304144259902

The first underwater pictures of the boat, specifically near the vent from where a very small diesel leak is coming.

From New Zealand Defence Force Facebook page here are some key updates from the past seven days as part of their response:

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Background of HMNZS Manawanui

HMNZS Manawanui is an integral asset in the Royal New Zealand Navy’s fleet, serving as a dive and hydrographic support vessel. Commissioned in 2019, the Manawanui replaced two earlier ships and is designed to support a wide range of missions, including underwater search and recovery, explosive ordnance disposal, and hydrographic surveying. With its ability to support dive operations and subsea equipment, the vessel plays a key role in both national and regional maritime operations.

At the time of the incident, the Manawanui was conducting an underwater training and survey mission in Samoan waters. This mission aimed to strengthen New Zealand’s ties with Samoa and provide critical support for maritime safety and environmental protection in the Pacific. The ship’s presence was part of a broader initiative to enhance regional cooperation and support in areas such as disaster response and environmental monitoring.

Details of the Incident

The grounding of HMNZS Manawanui occurred under challenging weather conditions off the southern coast of Upolu. Reports suggest that the vessel encountered difficulties navigating the waters around the island, leading to an unexpected grounding. Despite immediate efforts to free the ship, the damage sustained was severe, ultimately resulting in the vessel’s sinking.

The 68 crew members and seven passengers aboard the Manawanui were swiftly rescued, thanks to the coordinated efforts of both local Samoan authorities and the New Zealand Defence Force. One notable act of heroism came from a local kayaker, who braved the adverse weather conditions to help rescue a crew member suffering from a dislocated shoulder. The quick thinking and bravery displayed by Samoan locals were instrumental in ensuring the safety of those on board.

Environmental Impact and Concerns

One of the most pressing concerns following the sinking of the Manawanui has been the potential environmental impact, particularly the risk of fuel leaks. Early underwater assessments revealed a slow diesel leak from the ship’s engine room, causing a slight sheen on the surface of the water. Fortunately, the main fuel tanks that were accessible for inspection remained intact, and the leak was much smaller than initially feared.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel, in collaboration with Samoan authorities, have been conducting daily underwater inspections to monitor the situation. Divers have been instrumental in sealing any gaps where residual fuel may have escaped, while aerial drone flights have provided a comprehensive view of the site and its environmental impact. This ongoing effort reflects a deep commitment to protecting Samoa’s marine environment from further harm.

The environmental monitoring also includes regular beach sweeps to collect debris and assess the shoreline for signs of contamination. These measures aim to ensure that the ecological impact of the sinking is minimised as much as possible.

Operation Resolution: A Coordinated Response

In the wake of the Manawanui’s sinking, the New Zealand Defence Force launched Operation Resolution, a comprehensive recovery and response mission. This interagency effort involves personnel from across the NZDF, including the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and support from Maritime New Zealand. Almost 60 NZDF personnel have been stationed in Samoa to manage the response.

Operation Resolution’s primary objectives include equipment recovery, environmental protection, and the collection of evidence to support a Court of Inquiry into the incident. One of the operation’s key tools has been the deployment of RNZN divers, who are conducting daily dives to assess the damage to the Manawanui and gather underwater imagery. The divers have also worked on sealing off areas where fuel leaks have been identified, further reducing the risk of environmental damage.

The NZDF’s response also involves high-tech equipment, including drones and the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which have been used to conduct aerial surveys and track fuel spills. These assessments are crucial in determining the extent of the environmental impact and guiding the next steps in the recovery operation.

Support from the Samoan Community

Throughout this crisis, the Samoan community has played a vital role in supporting the NZDF’s efforts. In addition to the heroic rescue efforts, local residents have continued to assist with the recovery and clean-up process. Commodore Andrew Brown, the Senior National Representative for the NZDF in Samoa, publicly thanked the people of Samoa for their unwavering support. From shop owners providing dry clothing to kayakers assisting in rescue operations, the generosity and bravery of the Samoan people have been acknowledged as integral to the response efforts.

Future Outlook and the Court of Inquiry

Looking ahead, the NZDF remains committed to working alongside the Samoan government to address the environmental concerns and ensure a thorough recovery of the Manawanui. The incident has prompted the establishment of a Court of Inquiry, which will investigate the cause of the grounding and the subsequent sinking. Five senior military officers have been appointed to lead this inquiry, which will also assess the NZDF’s response to the crisis and any potential areas for improvement.

The long-term goal of Operation Resolution is to not only recover the equipment and mitigate environmental damage but also to learn from the incident to prevent similar events in the future. Both New Zealand and Samoa are dedicated to ensuring that the lessons from this tragic event will inform future maritime operations and strengthen regional cooperation in the Pacific.

Moving Forward

The grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui is a significant maritime incident with far-reaching implications for both New Zealand and Samoa. While the immediate concern remains the environmental impact, the coordinated response from the New Zealand Defence Force, in partnership with the Samoan government, has demonstrated a strong commitment to resolving the situation. Operation Resolution continues to play a crucial role in recovering the vessel, mitigating environmental damage, and providing the necessary support for the affected communities. As the investigation unfolds, the incident will undoubtedly shape future naval operations and enhance regional collaboration in the Pacific.

Transcript of video

“I’m Commodore Andrew Brown, Senior National Representative for the New Zealand Defence Force, here in Samoa dealing with the response of the grounding and sinking of the HMNS Manawanui just over a week ago; an operation we’re calling Resolution. Can I start by acknowledging those brave people who assisted with the rescue and safe return of our crew and passengers. The heroic efforts of those who were there on the scene that night was amazing. Whether it was the kayaker who put to sea in challenging weather and tight conditions and returned with one of our sailors who had a dislocated shoulder or the shop owner who opened her shop and cleared the shelves to provide our sailors dry clothing. On behalf of our Navy and our nation, I say “thank you”. 

Now our sailors are safe back in New Zealand. Our priority on the ground is working with the Samoan government to mitigate the environmental impact of the loss of Manawanui. We are very aware that this is the biggest concern of the Samoan community. We have personnel on the ground representing the all-of-government response led by the New Zealand Defence Force. We have New Zealand Defence sailors, soldiers and aviators,  Maritime New Zealand and MFAT personnel and we are well supported by partner agencies back in New Zealand.

We are monitoring the Manawanui underwater. We’re conducting beach sweeps for environmental impact and debris collection. All the time collecting evidence. We’re monitoring the fuel spill and any leaks on a daily basis. All of that is occurring in support of the Samoan government who are working alongside us and leading this response. We’ve got NCDF personnel flying a drone to inspect the ship and the containers. They will also be tracking fuel in the water and monitoring the size of the sheen. Our divers are underwater as I speak, inspecting residual fuel leaks. The information they’re gathering is helping us work out the next steps. This is going to take time, and we know this will cause concern particularly for those in the communities most impacted by what is happening. But we are in for the long haul. New Zealand is committed to ensuring we do the right thing and we are resolute in that.”