The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui is used for salvage and hydrography tasks around New Zealand and across the Southwest Pacific, according to the New Zealand Defence Force's website. Photo / NZDF
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui is used for salvage and hydrography tasks around New Zealand and across the Southwest Pacific, according to the New Zealand Defence Force's website. Photo / NZDF
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui has run aground near Samoa.
All 75 who were aboard are safe on lifeboats.
HMNZS Manawanui is a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel.
A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel has run aground near the southern coast of Upolu in Samoa, with all 75 who were aboard in life rafts and accounted for, Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell said.
The incident on the specialist dive and hydrographic vessel HMNZS Manawanui occurred on Saturday night while the ship was conducting a reef survey.
This morning, Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arnell said the 75 crew and passengers aboard HMNZS Manawanui made it to safety in Samoa after the ship grounded near the southern coast of Upolu. They are being supported in Samoa or on supporting vessels.
“The New Zealand Defence Force worked closely with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ), which co-ordinated rescue efforts.
“They are being supported in Samoa or on supporting vessels. Several vessels responded and assisted in rescuing crew and passengers.
“Several vessels responded and assisted in rescuing crew and passengers. A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was also deployed,” Arnell said.
It’s understood the cruise ship MS Queen Elizabeth may also have responded to assist.
Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui grounded on the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa last night. It could be seen on the Marine Traffic app, with cruise ship MS Queen Elizabeth, understood to be headed to help, shown to the south. Image / Screengrab via Marine Traffic App
Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui grounded on the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa last night. This screen grab from the Marine Traffic app shows the situation about 12.20am.
Defence Minister Judith Collins couldn’t immediately be contacted.
HMNZS Manawanui, which sailed out of Devonport Naval Base in Auckland last Saturday, has a core crew of 39 but bunks for 66, according to the NZDF website.
Commanded by Commander Yvonne Gray, it was built in 2003 and has been in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2019. Its home port is Gisborne.
Royal New Zealand Navy specialist dive and hydrographic vessel HMNZS Manawanui, as pictured on the New Zealand Defence Force's website. Photo / NZDF
The 5741-tonne, 84.7m-long ship, which has a beam of 18m and draught of 6.8m, is used by the navy for specialist diving, salvage and hydrography tasks around New Zealand and across the South West Pacific, according to the NZDF.
“Missions that the ship enables include coastal and harbour survey, underwater explosive disposal, underwater search and recovery, and limited mine countermeasures.”
The ship supported navy operations “across the maritime domain”, the NZDF said.
“The ship can survey harbours and approaches prior to larger support ships landing support equipment and personnel, whether for combat or disaster relief. It can support the ongoing mission to eradicate explosive remnants of war in the South Pacific.
“And it can undertake salvage operations to find and recover submerged objects.”
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
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