Specialists Assess if any Oil Spill from sunk HMNZS Manawanui

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 08 October 2024 – A team of specialists is assessing the extent of any damage to the ecosystem and marine life around the immediate area where the HMNZS Manawanui sank on Sunday morning.

Led by the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) which includes all Government ministries and experts in the ecological system, science experts from the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) and a team from New Zealand that arrived after the HMNZS Manawanui sank to the ocean floor.

The team has been at Saanapu-tai today to investigate the impact of any oil spill to the immediate and surrounding areas given the high winds and fast moving current in the area.

An official from DMO told Talamua they are expecting another team of specialists from New Zealand to arrive later this week to assist with the assessment.

Village children with retrieved Boards bearing the names of the Officers and Crew of the sunk HMNZS Manawanui.

The HMNZS Manawanui that costs $NZ103 million, is a survey and dive vessel. The vessel hit a reef off the coast of Sa’anapu on the south-western side of Upolu Island at 1.00am on Sunday and caught fire.

Naval Commander Yvonne Gray called for help and later abandoned ship, and all 75 crew were brought to safety.

The vessel sank to the ocean floor by 0900 on Sunday morning and nearly 1000 tonnes of diesel fuel was onboard when it sank.

Two days later, oil, food stocks and other material from the wreck are floating freely on the sea prompting concerns of the impact and harm to the ecosystem and marine life and setting back Samoa’s tourism industry.

A huge mangrove and marine reserve is around the area as well as a thriving surfing, snorkelling and diving tourism business located at Sa’anapu village and will be impacted by any oil spill if not already.

A major Mangrove and Marine Reserve is close to where the vessel sank.