Massive New Zealand Navy Vessel Goes Down
On Sunday, the New Zealand Navy experienced a significant setback with the loss of one of its newest ships. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A Royal New Zealand Navy ship has capsized and sunk in the Pacific Ocean after hitting a reef, according to the New Zealand Defence Force.
In a statement issued on Sunday, officials reported that the hydrographic survey and diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground near the southern coast of Samoa’s Upolu Island on Saturday evening while conducting a surveying mission.
The vessel caught fire and subsequently capsized as heavy smoke was observed by onlookers. “The exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation,” the Navy stated, emphasizing their efforts to "minimize the environmental impacts."
All 75 individuals on board were rescued and taken ashore under challenging weather conditions by Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Three sailors were reported hospitalized.
“They’re all on land. They are safe and sound apart from just a few individuals that… have some minor injuries, and so we treated them at the site and transferred them to the hospital,” Samoa fire commissioner Tanuvasa Petone said, as reported by Radio New Zealand. He also noted that the weather was “quite rough and windy.”
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was dispatched to support the rescue efforts. “We are very grateful for the assistance of everyone involved,” remarked Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell.
Defence Minister Judith Collins referred to the loss of the ship as “a truly terrible day,” adding that there was “not much chance” of salvaging the vessel.
The HMNZS Manawanui, constructed in 2003, was acquired by the Navy for $103 million in 2018. Its primary functions included surveying oil and gas deposits, in addition to scanning the ocean floor for WWII-era munitions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
In a statement issued on Sunday, officials reported that the hydrographic survey and diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground near the southern coast of Samoa’s Upolu Island on Saturday evening while conducting a surveying mission.
The vessel caught fire and subsequently capsized as heavy smoke was observed by onlookers. “The exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation,” the Navy stated, emphasizing their efforts to "minimize the environmental impacts."
All 75 individuals on board were rescued and taken ashore under challenging weather conditions by Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Three sailors were reported hospitalized.
“They’re all on land. They are safe and sound apart from just a few individuals that… have some minor injuries, and so we treated them at the site and transferred them to the hospital,” Samoa fire commissioner Tanuvasa Petone said, as reported by Radio New Zealand. He also noted that the weather was “quite rough and windy.”
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was dispatched to support the rescue efforts. “We are very grateful for the assistance of everyone involved,” remarked Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell.
Defence Minister Judith Collins referred to the loss of the ship as “a truly terrible day,” adding that there was “not much chance” of salvaging the vessel.
The HMNZS Manawanui, constructed in 2003, was acquired by the Navy for $103 million in 2018. Its primary functions included surveying oil and gas deposits, in addition to scanning the ocean floor for WWII-era munitions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
