NZ Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui runs aground, crew and passengers rescued

All 75 crew members and passengers who were onboard a Royal New Zealand Navy ship that ran aground off the Samoan island of Upolu, have been rescued. See the pictures.

One of the HMNZS Manawanui 's life rafts. Picture: Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority

All 75 crew and passengers have been rescued from the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Manawanui, that ran aground in Samoa.

In a statement released by the New Zealand Defence Force, it was revealed that the crew and passengers began evacuating into lifeboats on Saturday night and the rescue was completed in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident occurred on Saturday night during a reef survey about a nautical mile from shore. HMNZS Manawanui, is the Navy’s specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, regularly conducts tasks across the Pacific.

Crew from the HMNZS Manawanui when they reached dry land on the coast of Upolu. Picture: Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority / Facebook

Maritime component commander Commodore Shane Arndell said the NZDF worked closely with the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, which led the rescue effort. Numerous vessels responded to provide assistance, and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was also deployed to assist.

Rescuers battled currents and winds that were pushing the life rafts and sea boats toward the reefs, and swells made the rescue effort particularly challenging, he said.

“We are very grateful for the assistance of everyone involved, from RCCNZ who co-ordinated rescue efforts, to the vessels which responded and took our crew and passengers from Manawanui to safety,” he said.

Rescuers worked in difficult conditions to get the 75 crew and passengers to safety. Picture: Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority / Facebook

Those onboard the lifeboats and sea boats were transferred to vessels that responded to the rescue call and were then transported ashore.

At this stage the exact cause of the grounding was unknown and would need further investigation, the NZDF said in a statement.

The ship ran aground while it was conducting a reef survey. Picture: X @pooliecoast

Support is being provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Samoan authorities to the crew and passengers from Manawanui and they are being accommodated in Samoa.

The NZDF will be sending aircraft to Samoa to bring them back to New Zealand.

This was HMNZS Manawanui’s third deployment to the South West Pacific this year. The ship had a series of activities scheduled including in the Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue. It sailed from Devonport on 28 September and were due to return home on 1 November.