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Operation Resolution

Updates on Operation Resolution - New Zealand Defence Force's response to the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui near Samoa.

Imagery and video can be found at
nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf-samoa-media

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2 December 2024

Update: 6:21pm NZDT

The latest update on the HMNZS Manawanui response.

The latest update on the HMNZS Manawanui response.

  • The New Zealand Defence Force contracted ocean-going tug and barge, being used to remove the fuel and other pollutants from HMNZS Manawanui, sailed from Whāngarei late Friday 29 November.
  • Appropriate authorisations and permissions from Samoan authorities for the vessels to operate in Samoan waters, are well advanced and will be in place by the time they arrive in Apia.
  • Concurrently, the salvor will be conducting pre-installation work of the anchoring system at Manawanui’s location.
  • “The underwater anchoring installations are critical to this phase of the operation” said Commodore Andrew Brown, the NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution.  “They must be able to secure the barge in place over Manawanui in a range of sea states during the fuel removal process, while at the same time ensuring the reef and seabed are protected.”

29 November 2024, 3.10pm

Details from interim court of inquiry report into HMNZS Manawanui incident released

HMNZS Manawanui grounded and sunk off the coast of Samoa as a result of human error, the interim Court of Inquiry report shows.

Read Full Media Release

18 November 2024, 2.29pm

Removal of HMNZS Manawanui fuel and other pollutants to get underway

Work will start soon on the removal of fuel and other pollutants from the HMNZS Manawanui, which sank last month off the coast of Samoa.

Read Full Media Release

15 November 2024, 9.07am

Chief of Defence Force recognises international responders in HMNZS Manawanui rescue efforts

The Chief of Defence Force AM Tony Davies has awarded high-level commendations to those involved in the immediate response to the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.

Read Full Media Release

14 November 2024

Interim Court of Inquiry report into HMNZS Manawanui sinking received

Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding has received the interim Court of Inquiry report into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.

Read Full Media Release

27 October 2024

HMNZS Manawanui assessment and monitoring continues

The latest update on the HMNZS Manawanui incident response.

Read Full Media Release

23 October 2024, 2.22pm

Video: Operation Resolution update

The latest on Operation Resolution from our NZDF Senior National Representative in Samoa, Commodore Andrew Brown.

All three containers from HMNZS Manawanui have been removed from the reef, daily shoreline monitoring continues, and more.

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21 October 2024, 5.20pm

Two containers successfully removed from reef after HMNZS Manawanui sinking

New Zealand and Samoan teams have today removed a second shipping container from the reef off Samoa’s Upolu, one of three that came off the sunken Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui on 6 October.

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17 October 2024, 5.40pm

Containers to be removed from reef after HMNZS Manawanui sinking

Three shipping containers that came off the sunken Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui will be removed from the reef, with work starting on Friday.

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17 October 2024, 3.31pm

Video: Operation Resolution update

CDRE Andrew Brown and the HCR to Samoa are attending a community engagement meeting in the Safata District in Upolu to hear from the people of the nine villages most impacted by the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.

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10 October 2024, 3.35pm

NZDF to hold Court of Inquiry into HMNZS Manawanui sinking

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has announced details of its Court of Inquiry (COI) into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa.

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8 October 2024

RNZN divers assess sunken ship in Samoa

HMNZS Manawanui is in water about 30m deep and a light oil sheen from its initial capsize is being dispersed by wind and waves, Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arnd...

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7 October 2024

HMNZS Manawanui crew to return home tonight

Crew and passengers from Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui are being flown home to Auckland tonight aboard a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130J Hercules.

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6 October 2024, 12.42pm

HMNZS Manawanui crew and passengers rescued after ship runs aground in Samoa

Crew and passengers of Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Manawanui were rescued in the early hours of the morning on Sunday in Samoa after the vessel was grounded off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa.

Read Full Media Release

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