Diesel fuel from HMNZS Manawanui leaking slowly into the ocean

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 16 October 2024 – There is still a consistent slow leak of diesel fuel into the ocean from the HMNZS Manawanui as confirmed by the divers as of 8am Tuesday, 15 October 2024.

This is the latest report from the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC) that continues to monitor the situation at Tafitoala where HMNZS Manawanui sank, throughout the White Sunday public holiday.

The Committee said that Teams from MWTI, MNRE, MAF, SPA as well as SPPCS have been based at Tafitoala Response Headquarters since Sunday October 6, 2024 and conducting ongoing assessments.

However, ongoing shoreline assessment by the Committee confirms there continues to be no signs of oil slicks washing ashore or onto beaches (areas visited include Tafitoala, Vaie’e Bay, Salamumu, Nu’usuatia, Lotofaga, Sataoa and Sa’anapu). All claims of diesel fuel contaminated events are being verified by the Committee.

Samples of sea water, fish and algae from across this area have been taken and submitted to SROS for contamination testing.

The HMNZS Manawanui anchor still sitting on the reef, with its chain causing significant damage to the reefs as it sways with the currents. Photo/MPAC

The fishing precautionary zone at Safata continues to be enforced. The communities in the area are strongly advised not to fish from the area until further notice. We acknowledge and recognize the loss of income and loss of food source due to this incident.

Damage by containers
The 3 containers from the vessel continue to cause damage to the reef, as significant movement from one of these containers was observed over the weekend drifting some 100 meters inwards.

MPAC said the New Zealand Defense Force are currently looking into options to remove the said containers to ensure the damage to the reef is minimized, as well as developing a plan to safely remove the oil from the ship without further contaminating the environment.

One of three containers from HMNZS Manawanui that continue to cause damage to the reef. 

There is about 1,000 tonnes of diesel in the vessels tanks as it lies on the ocean floor and there is fear of major damage to the marine ecosystem and the environment if it leaks without being removed before a disaster happens.

Meanwhile, the villages of the Safata District are meeting at the end of this week to decide further action after a week without any response from the Samoan and New Zealand Governments on their request to remove the vessel as a matter of urgency.

The Committee said they will hold a second community consultation on Wednesday this week, 17 October 2024, at Tafitoala village.

So far, a total of 90 families in Safata have been consulted as part of follow up exercises with the affected community and consultations are continuing.