The government of New Zealand has compensated Samoa with 10 million Samoan Tala (approximately NZD 6 million or £2.6 million) following a maritime incident in which one of its naval vessels, the HMNZS Manawanui, crashed into a reef in Samoan waters, subsequently catching fire and sinking last year.
After the sinking incident, the HMNZS Manawanui began leaking oil into the surrounding ocean, leading to reports of environmental damage, including the death of sea turtles and the appearance of oil slicks on nearby beaches in Samoa. In response to the environmental concerns, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed that the compensation was made at the request of the Samoan government.
Details of the maritime incident
The HMNZS Manawanui was a significant vessel in New Zealand’s naval fleet, being the first ship the country lost at sea since World War II. The ship was part of a small fleet of nine vessels and had been conducting surveys of an uncharted area of the sea floor when it ran aground. Fortunately, all 75 crew members aboard were rescued as the vessel began to list off the coast of Upolu, Samoa, exactly one year ago.
Despite the visible smoke as the ship sank, officials later reported that not all the fuel had ignited, resulting in oil leaking from multiple locations, which raised alarming concerns regarding the local marine ecosystem. Following the grounding, the HMNZS Manawanui has remained on the reef, but efforts have been made to remove diesel, oil, and other pollutants from the wreckage by a New Zealand naval team assigned to clear the debris.
Investigation and response
Peters emphasized the ongoing collaboration between New Zealand and Samoa regarding the future of the ship and its impact on local communities, stating, “We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused.” He also highlighted that “minimising any possible environmental impacts and supporting the response” were the government’s primary objectives moving forward.
While disciplinary actions related to the incident are still under consideration, the investigation by the New Zealand Defence Force is nearing completion. Initial findings of the inquiry revealed that a series of human errors, including a failure to disengage the ship’s autopilot, led to the crash.
In the aftermath, social media discussions have sparked controversy, particularly targeting the ship’s female captain, with some commenters irresponsibly attributing blame to her gender. Such remarks were met with strong disapproval from New Zealand’s Defence Minister, who referred to these critics as “armchair admirals.”