A vessel from the New Zealand navy ran aground on a reef near Samoa and subsequently sank after its crew inadvertently left it on “autopilot,” according to findings from a military inquiry.In October, numerous sailors were rescued from the HMNZS Manawanui after it collided with a reef, caught fire, and eventually sank south of Upolu, Samoa’s largest island.
The Manawanui, one of only nine commissioned ships in New Zealand’s limited naval fleet, had been assigned to survey the ocean floor.
The military court of inquiry determined that the survey vessel sank because its “autopilot was not disengaged when it was supposed to be.”
Crew members became aware that the ship was off its intended course and attempted to redirect it, mistakenly believing they had lost control due to a “thruster control failure.”
However, they neglected to verify whether the autopilot had been disengaged, as noted by the tribunal.
Instead of maneuvering away from danger, the vessel “began to accelerate toward the reef.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins commented that the incident had “really knocked Navy for six.”
“It was a dreadful day. The navy and the defence force are not evading responsibility for this.”
“It was incredibly disappointing. But that is the reality of what transpired.”
The wreck settled on a stable part of the reef approximately 30 metres below the water’s surface.
At the time it sank, the ship was carrying 950 tonnes of diesel, raising concerns about a potential oil slick that could harm wildlife and contaminate vital food sources.
New Zealand’s navy previously stated that the primary fuel tanks seemed to be intact.
Salvage teams are currently working to recover the fuel without significant leaks.
No fatalities occurred during the incident, although a few sailors sustained minor injuries.
