New Zealand\u2019s navy lost its first ship since World War II after the HMNZS Manawanui sank on a reef off the coast of Samoa on Sunday creating a potential environmental disaster in waters used for fishing and tourism. <\/p>\n
The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel lost power and ran aground on Saturday evening while conducting a reef survey one nautical mile off the southern coast of the Samoan island of Upolo, according to New Zealand authorities. <\/p>\n
By Sunday morning, the vessel was \u201clisting heavily,\u201d the navy said. Smoke was spotted around 6:40 a.m., and by 9 a.m. the ship had slipped below the surface. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s the first unintentional sinking of a New Zealand naval vessel since the Second World War, authorities said, as they opened a court of inquiry into what happened. <\/p>\n
Local businesses and conservationists now fear the potential environmental impact of the accident, which occurred in waters off Samoa\u2019s most populated island. <\/p>\n
New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins told Newstalk ZB that authorities\u2019 first priority was assessing the depth of the vessel and the risk of a spill. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s got a lot of oil on board. \u2026. It\u2019s got lubricating oil, hydro oil, diesel, urea. It\u2019s got a lot of stuff in it. And I don\u2019t think we can just sort of leave it like that,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Divers were sent to the scene on Sunday night, she said. \u201cThey\u2019ll be having a look to see what they can, but it\u2019s going to be quite a big job,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n
Acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio said in a press statement Sunday that an oil spill was highly probable. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe HMNZS Manawanui is not recoverable and has sunk into the ocean,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Samoan police received a distress call just before 7 p.m. on Saturday night, according to local authorities. Small boats were dispatched with the warning that the ship was taking on water and its crew would likely need evacuating. <\/p>\n
Numerous vessels and aircraft were sent to help, including a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon and C-130J aircraft, the New Zealand navy said. <\/p>\n
By 5 a.m. Sunday, all 75 passengers and crew had been rescued, but witnesses said they soon saw smoke rising from the sinking wreck. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt took 15 minutes for the boat to be fully ablaze and then sink,\u201d he said, adding that local villagers left a Sunday church service to watch the ship. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey were visibly upset and concerned for their beach, reef, marine reserve and income as fishermen,\u201d Poole said. <\/p>\n
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said that \u201cenvironmental spill kits\u201d had been sent from New Zealand to help mitigate and minimize the effects. <\/p>\n
The HMNZS Manawanui was a relatively new addition to the New Zealand navy, having been purchased in 2018 for around $100 million NZD ($61 million), though it was built in the early 2000s. <\/p>\n
According to the navy, the ship was designed to \u201csurvey harbours and approaches prior to larger support ships landing support equipment and personnel whether for combat or disaster relief.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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