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HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa

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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5 November 2024

Update: 5.50pm NZDT

  • Due diligence continues on a fuel removal plan for HMNZS Manawanui which ran aground and sunk off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa on 5 October 2024. 
  • A site visit has been conducted by salvors, in partnership with Samoan authorities, and detailed analysis of site surveys from where the vessel lies is being used to inform the plan to remove fuel.
  • Daily monitoring continues along the coastline and marine environment near the Manawanui. To date, shoreline assessment teams have not found any contamination or affected wildlife on the shoreline.
  • Minimising any potential environmental impact remains our absolute priority.

27 October 2024

HMNZS Manawanui assessment and monitoring continues

The latest update on the HMNZS Manawanui incident response.

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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.

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