The Royal New Zealand Navy has lost its first vessel to the sea for the first time since WW2 after the HMNZS Manawanui capsized off the coast of the Samoan island Upolu.
The $100 million vessel was on fire after running aground at about 7pm last night.
HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist diving and ocean imaging ship, came into dire straits about one nautical mile off the coast of Upolu while surveying the reef, it then caught fire before ultimately capsizing.
Fortunately, all 75 crew members on board were safely rescued overnight, two people needed hospital treatment for minor injuries, one with a dislocated shoulder and the other with a hurt back.
Defense Minister Judith Collins told media there will be a court of inquiry launched to find out why the ship ran aground, caught fire then capsized.
“The immediate focus right now is on mitigating the environmental impacts and salvaging what is left of the Manawanui.”
HMNZS Manawanui is the first of our naval vessels to unintentionally sink since New Zealand participated in naval battles during World War II.
Photo Credit: Profile Boats
