Oil spill highly probable from sunk HMNZS Manawanui

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 06 October 2024 – The Ministry of the Environment, MNRE is now conducting an environmental impact assessment on the marine ecosystem and surrounding areas off the coast of Siumu village where the HMNZS Manawanui sunk a few hours after it ran aground at 1:00am this morning, Sunday 06 October 2024.

The HMNZS Manawanui is not recoverable and has sunk into the ocean.

“The possibility of an oil spill is high,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

“NEOC led by MNRE is now conducting an environmental impact assessment on the marine ecosystem and surrounding areas,” he said.

The Police patrol boat Nafanua III rescued 18 crew, 11 were rescued by LadbrogCable Vessel, 10 rescued by Ark Marine Company Ltd Vessel and 36 were rescued by SPPCS with assistance of SFESA small boats. All 75 crew members were transported to the New Zealand High Commission residence for welfare purposes.

Following is the sequence of events on the rescue mission after the distress call from the vessel.

• At 6.58pm Saturday evening 5 October 2024, Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services (‘SPPCS’) received a call from the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington New Zealand regarding a distress vessel which is now confirmed to be New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui run aground on the South West Coast of Upolu Island.

• SPPCS Maritime Wing on duty team were alerted and dispatched small boats to the Southern Side of Upolu as the Nafanua III crew were recalled to assist with the rescue operation. Samoa Fire and Emergency Service Authority (‘SFESA’) was also alerted and responded alongside Police Maritime Teams. The Disaster Management Office were also alerted and were on standby to assist when needed.

• At 7.19pm another call was received from Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand that the crew of the distress vessel will be abandoning the ship unto life rafts due to the deteriorating situation with HMNZS Manawanui taking in too much water and was sinking. At the same time first responders from both SPPCS and SFESA were deployed to rescue the HMNZS Manawanui crew.

• At 9.00pm the Nafanua III departed Matautu-wharf to assist with the rescue operation.

• At 5.00am Sunday morning 6 October 2024, SPPCS Commander who led the rescue coordination informed HQ that all 75 members of the crew were rescued with some receiving only minor medical assistance with no casualties.

“Earlier today I visited the crew to give moral support and assured them of their comfort and any other assistance the Samoa Government can provide,” said Tuala.

“I also spoke with the Rt Hon Prime Minister of NZ, Mr. Luxon, who expressed gratitude to Samoa for its efforts to rescue the crew, especially in difficult conditions and during darkness. Prime Minister Luxon has also offered to provide assistance as required to assist the Samoan government.

“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 Manawanui.

“A word must also go out to the ship’s commander for her call to abandon ship and to the crew for their courage and bravery during this difficult situation.”

More information will be made available once reports are received from frontline response agencies.