Salvage crews have finished removing more than 300,000 litres of diesel fuel from the HMNZS Manawanui, according to the Defence Force.
A precautionary fishing zone around the vessel has now been removed, and salvors are now focusing on removing equipment, weapons, ammunition and debris from in and around the ship before making it secure, according to the Defence Force.
The Navy vessel sank after it ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Upolu and caught fire on October 6. All 75 crew and passengers were evacuated.
Local authorities said about 200,000 litres of diesel leaked from the wreckage in the week following the incident.
There is a lot to consider before any decisions are made, Nicole Bremner reports. (Source: 1News)
Defence Force senior national representative commodore Andrew Brown today said the salvage operation had achieved its objective of removing as many pollutants as possible.
A total of 284 dives were made, typically with two divers each time, he said.
Brown said: “This was some of the most challenging diving operations – accessing the ship’s hardest to reach tanks – those at the very bottom of where Manawanui lays on its side. As liquids have been extracted, tanks have been sealed.”
He added: “The recovery work has given us a clearer picture of the damage sustained to tanks during the grounding.
“We know diesel fuel escaped through damaged tanks and pipes. Some was consumed in the substantial fire on board before the ship sank. Our Navy divers also worked hard to contain and capture ongoing leaks.
“Continuous environmental monitoring has shown earlier diesel fuel that did escape to sea, dissipated relatively rapidly, evaporating from wind and wave action, as this type of light diesel fuel is known to do.”
Brown said: “Regular testing by Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has reported consistently low hydrocarbons and confirmed the seawater and marine life in this area are clear and uncontaminated.
“As a result, the precautionary zone in the area that carried a warning on fishing was reduced and then removed – a very welcome outcome for local communities.”
A Court of Inquiry into the sinking of the Mananwanui was due to be completed this month.