US Navy
HMNZS Manawanui capsized after running aground off Samoa
The Royal New Zealand Navy has lost its first ship at sea since World War II, after one of its ships ran aground off the coast of Samoa.
The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist diving and ocean imaging vessel, encountered problems about a nautical mile from Upolu Island on Saturday evening local time while carrying out a survey of a reef.
It then caught fire before capsizing.
All 75 people on board were evacuated to lifeboats and rescued early Sunday, the New Zealand Defense Force said in a statement.
Officials said the cause of the stranding was unknown and would be investigated.
Reuters
All 75 people on board have now been safely rescued.
The incident occurred during a period of bad weather and wind.
Military officials said rescuers were “struggling” against currents and winds that were pushing life rafts and sea boats toward the reefs, and that swells were making rescue efforts “difficult.”
Authorities said the area had not been surveyed since 1987.
The ship's crew and passengers, including seven scientists and four foreign military personnel, are being accommodated in Samoa before being repatriated to New Zealand.
At 06:40 local time on Sunday (18:40 BST Saturday), the ship was seen listing heavily with smoke coming from it.
By 09:00 (21:00 BST Saturday) it was below the surface.
Reuters
The ship was seen Sunday morning with a heavy list and smoke coming from it.
Defense Minister Judith Collins called the incident “a truly sad day for the Navy” at a press conference.
She added: “But everyone got through it, and that, I have to say, is due to (the crew's) professionalism, training and their own courage.”
Dave Poole, who saw the ship on fire, told the Reuters news agency: “When we entered the bay we saw the ship and no smoke. After 15 minutes there was fire and smoke. smoke were visible. It sank shortly afterwards.”
HMNZS Manawanui is the first New Zealand naval vessel to be unintentionally sunk since the country participated in naval battles during World War II.
Several other ships have been intentionally sunk in the meantime for various reasons, including to serve as diving wrecks or artificial reefs.
Military officials said their efforts now turned to salvaging the ship and minimizing the environmental impacts of the sinking.
Reuters
The ship's crew and passengers are now accommodated in Samoa
