Oil spill fears after fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship sinks in Samoa

Containing any oil spill from a fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship that sank on Sunday just off-shore from Samoa’s most populated island has been declared a priority by both governments.

All 75 personnel aboard the HMNZS Manawanui were rescued after it ran aground on Saturday night before it caught fire and sank the next morning. 

The 20-year-old survey ship lies at an unknown depth off the south-west coast of Upolu, the island where the capital Apia is located.

New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins told broadcaster TVNZ that the environmental impacts were now the main focus. 

“This ship had a lot of fuel on board, so yes, there is a risk and that’s why we need to work quite quickly,” she said on Monday.

Collins said specialist navy divers had flown to Samoa to assess the situation to “work out exactly where the ship is and exactly what depth of water.”

Samoa Conservation Society president James Atherton said there were already some reports of limited oil pollution on the coast nearby.

“Immediate action is needed to deal with any oil spill and longer term action (is needed) to deal with oil still in the sunken hull,” Atherton told BenarNews. 

“Options must be investigated to salvage the hull, or if that's not possible, to siphon off the oil or to ensure there are no oil leaks over time as the hull rusts and deteriorates.”

“Oil can kill turtles, seabirds and other marine life. We don't know what other hazardous material was on board.”

Acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio in a statement on Sunday night said the ship “is not recoverable and has sunk into the ocean.” 

“The possibility of an oil spill is highly probable,” he said, adding New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had “offered to provide assistance as required to assist the Samoan government.”

The U.S. $61 million HMNZS Manawanui – a specialist dive, salvage and hydrographic vessel – was conducting an in-shore seabed survey when it hit the reef.

Collins denied it was “embarrassing” that a survey ship had run aground or that it left New Zealand’s Navy with a defense capability gap.

“It’s a navy ship but not a battleship,” she said but added, “It’s a big gap for the navy so they will be hurting.”

“Apparently it lost power, I’m aware of that, and ended up on the reef, and the particular reef was being mapped because it hadn’t been since 1987.”

Collins said she would “never be embarrassed” by the New Zealand Defence Force and their quick action had averted a “massive tragedy.”

The Manawanui’s commanding officer, Yvonne Gray, ordered all hands to abandon ship on Saturday night, a decision praised by the navy’s top brass and Ponifasio.

Samoan emergency services and police worked throughout Saturday night in difficult conditions at sea to rescue the crew off lifeboats on the reef.

“Fortunately, no one was heavily injured and no lives were lost. We’re proud to say we saved them,” the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority posted on social media.

“If you’re unsure about our sea areas, please be careful, take caution and stay safe.”

A New Zealand navy court of inquiry has been established with findings due in a matter of months, depending on the complexity of the investigation, Collins said.

The 85-meter-long Manawanui was bought in 2019 from a Norwegian company using it as a survey vessel in the oil and gas industry. 

The ship was a week into a five-week deployment when it ran aground and is thought to be New Zealand’s first navy ship to unintentionally sink since the Second World War.