An oil spill from the wreck of the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui is “highly probable”, said acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio in a press conference this evening.
The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel worth $100m, sank this morning after it ran aground on a reef off the coast of the Samoan island of Upolu and caught fire last night.
It was conducting a survey around one nautical mile offshore when it hit the reef.
Seven civilians and four military personnel from foreign forces were among the 75 on board.
Tuala said the Manawanui was “not recoverable” and had sunk into the ocean.
Samoa’s National Emergency Operation Centre is conducting an environmental impact assessment alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment into the marine ecosystem and surrounding areas, he said.
“Earlier today, I visited the crew to give moral support and assured of their comfort and other assistance the Samoa government can provide.”
Tuala said he also spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who “expressed his gratitude to Samoa for its efforts to rescue the crew, especially in difficult conditions and during darkness”.
“I would also like to commend our Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Fire, Emergency and Rescue services for their great efforts to rescue the crew of the Manawanui.”
The New Zealand Defence Force earlier said heavy seas and strong winds made the rescue “particularly challenging”.
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, said the decision of Captain Yvonne Gray to abandon ship was the “right decision” and would have “saved lives”.
“I would also like to acknowledge all those involved on how they handled this challenging situation, evacuating a ship at night is an incredibly complex and dangerous task.”
One of the life boats capsized on the reef during the rescue, he added, with those on board walking to land.
Golding said that two on board were taken to hospital, one with a dislocated shoulder and another with an injury to their back. Around 12 to 15 others received minor cuts and abrasions from walking across the reef.
