After an interim report found the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui was because of human error, Samoans say they are still looking for better answers on the environmental and economic costs of the disaster.
Details from the interim Court of Inquiry report concerning HMNZS Manawanui were released yesterday and found the ship grounded and sank off the coast of Samoa because of human error.
The Samoan community in Samoa and Aotearoa reacted strongly to the report.
People of Tafitoala, one of the villages in Safata, have already spoken about their livelihood being affected by the Manawanui disaster on October 5.
Royal New Zealand Navy divers survey HMNZS Manawanui off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, in October. Photo / NZDF
A meeting was also scheduled to take place last month in Vaiee, another coastal village in the district, to present their case to the Samoan Government and suggest that New Zealand should be responsible for compensating them.
Tuia Pu’a Leota, a former Samoan MP, said food supplies in the district are now low.
“We really don’t know where we are between the two governments, our Government hasn’t relayed much information.
“Coming to Christmas, this is a sad story for our district, especially for people who fish every day to provide food and income for their families.”
The ship grounded and sank off the coast of Samoa due to human error. Photo / Profile Boats
Tuia saidhe was not surprised the report found the incident was due to human error.
“I knew from the beginning that this was a human error-caused accident, I am happy that the answer has come to light.”
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship hit a reef on the southern side of Samoa while conducting survey operations.
Tuia urged the Samoan Government to provide people with the answers they are still waiting for.
The impact of the shipwreck at Tafitoala affects a number of people, including those in the neighbouring district of Si’umu, where King Charles stayed during his visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
Nanai Dr Iati Iati, a Samoan international relations expert, called for an international inquiry last month into the sinking of the Manawanui rather than solely relying on the New Zealand investigation.
The senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Victoria University of Wellington said the incident has posed significant concerns about environmental and economic repercussions.
“I think it’s taken too long and the investigation into what happened in Samoa is being done by the wrong people.
“It should not be up to the party that committed the offence to carry out the investigation.”
A photo of the HMNZS Manawanui, taken by one of the rescuers on October 5 off the coast of Upolu, Samoa. Photo / Ark Marine
He was also surprised by the Samoan Government’s response to the Manawanui.
He said it was ironic that Chogm, which focused on marine security, was taking place when one of the ships of its founding members, New Zealand, was leaking oil into Samoa.
Mary Afemata, a New Zealand-born Samoan, is from Sataoa, a village in the district of Safata.
Royal New Zealand Navy divers on the scene where the HMNZS Manawanui sunk. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
She said she is concerned for her family back home.
“Thinking of my Aiga back home is distressing during this time, especially with Christmas around the corner, my heart sunk when I read about the news about what’s happening back in my district, I want it to be over.”
“The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship’s autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been,” Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Garin Golding said yesterday as the interim findings were released.
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said the finding was “extremely disappointing”.
“I think that New Zealanders can know that it was a terrible day. Fortunately, it wasn’t a mess [or] a tragic day. Lives were not lost.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins, pictured, and Chief of Navy Rear -Admiral Garin Golding yesterday addressed the media about the findings from the inquiry into the HMNZS Manawanui sinking in Samoa in October. Photo / Alex Burton
