Findings Reveal Crew Mistakes Led to Sinking of New Zealand Navy Ship Off Samoa Coast

According to initial reports from a military court of inquiry, the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui, a New Zealand navy vessel, was primarily due to mistakes made by its crew. The crew failed to recognize that the autopilot was activated and mistakenly assumed that a different malfunction was at fault. As a result, they did not verify that manual control was being exercised, allowing the ship to continue its course towards land until it struck a reef.

The crew's evacuation was successful, with all 75 individuals onboard safely making it ashore when the ship sank approximately 1.6 kilometers off the coast of Upolu in Samoa last October. This incident marked a significant loss for the New Zealand navy, being the first naval asset lost at sea since World War II. Rear Admiral Garin Golding, the Chief of Navy, had ordered a court of inquiry to determine the causes of the incident after initial investigations could not pinpoint the reasons for the sinking.

The inquiry highlighted several important factors contributing to the accident, including deficiencies in training protocols, planning, supervision, and risk assessments. It is expected that the inquiry will take several months and conclude by early next year. Given that human error was identified as a critical factor, a disciplinary process is likely to ensue for the three crew members directly involved in the incident, including the officer at the helm and the supervising officers.

In the aftermath, New Zealand's defense minister criticized online abuse directed towards the ship's captain, which was fueled by her gender. The HMNZS Manawanui, which had been operational since 2019, was engaged in surveying the reef when the accident occurred. Concerns arose about potential environmental damage from diesel leaking into the water, although New Zealand officials report that most fuel was consumed in the ensuing fire, causing no significant ecological harm.

To address the environmental situation, specialized equipment will be shipped from New Zealand to Samoa to mitigate any ongoing fuel leaks. There are currently no publicized plans for the removal of the wreck from the reef. Rear Admiral Golding acknowledged the incident's impact on the navy's reputation, pledging to learn from the event and make the necessary improvements moving forward.