South Pacific Ocean,
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) suffered a significant loss this weekend when its research vessel, HMNZS Manawanui, sank after running aground off Samoa’s southern coast, marking the first RNZN vessel lost at sea since World War II. The ship was conducting a hydrographic survey near Upolu Island on Saturday evening when it encountered rough conditions and grounded about one nautical mile from shore.
Despite the crew’s efforts to refloat the ship, the vessel began listing, prompting the evacuation of 75 crew members and passengers into lifeboats. Responders, led by the NZ Rescue Coordination Centre, battled high winds, strong currents, and heavy swells during the rescue operation. All personnel were successfully evacuated, though 14 sustained injuries, including one serious case of a dislocated shoulder.
By Sunday morning, the Manawanui capsized and sank. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation. Authorities are assessing the risk of a fuel spill, with Samoan officials warning that a spill is “highly possible.”
Commissioned in 2019, the Manawanui had been carrying out critical tasks, including humanitarian missions and ordnance disposal, across the Pacific. Its loss is a blow to the already understaffed New Zealand Navy, which continues to face personnel shortages.
Jayashree Viswanathan
