HMNZS Manawanui: Clarity sought over conflicting reports

While concerns remain about the environmental effects of the sunken New Zealand naval ship in Sāmoa, there is no evidence reported of that having happened.

HMNZS Manawanui hit a reef while conducting a survey just off the southern coast of Upolu Island over a week ago.

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The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel was carrying about 950 tonnes of fuel in the ship's main tanks at the time of the incident.

Residents and the Sāmoan government are concerned about the impacts on marine life from the leaks reported at three locations on the Manawanui.

The Royal New Zealand Navy says it is committed to supporting the ship's removal including the process of salvaging the sunken vessel.

However, the navy and insurers have yet to decide whether to try to recover the ship.

A team of more than 60 people is part of Aotearoa's Operation Resolution who are in Sāmoa for the recovery and cleanup.

The Labour Party wants the government to explain what it knows and what it does not know about salvaging the Manawanui.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reportedly apologised to the Sāmoan government for the unfortunate accident.

While oil leaking from the wreck of the vessel is not from its main tanks, the Defence Force says removing them is a priority for the recovery teams.

About 200,000 litres of diesel fuel has seeped into the sea. However, the NZDF says it's a small quantity and is being monitored.

Samoa's government agencies, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and New Zealand officials are part of the Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC) which also includes support from the Sāmoan Ocean Strategy.

They also have the services of an insurance surveyor with expertise in salvage and recovery.

MPAC says divers are scanning the seafloor for debris from the Manawanui and tests for any water contamination have been done. The results have yet to be released.

MPAC chair Fui Tupai Mau Simanu says Sāmoa would like to see the remaining fuel removed.

He told journalists there is substantial damage to the reef, with the primary area of damage covering some 5000 square metres.

Sāmoa's Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) says it's been a tough week for everyone involved in the incident.

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Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga told Pacific Mornings his staff were among the first responders to the stricken ship.

"Well, 5th of October, which was Saturday and approximately 7 o'clock in the evening, that's where we got calls from local ship agency around Apia that they've picked up the distress signal.

"Immediately, I called the Commissioner of Police just to see if he had some information and that's where we found out about this vessel.

"We agreed that we would send the first responding team just to go and have an assessment and report back. So, we sent the first team of four, and then another team which is about five crew for that second response."

Tanuvasa said they didn't know what to expect and it was at night, in windy conditions and rough seas.

He said the rescue teams were prepared for the worst and while it was frustrating to have the ship sink and leak fuel, it was also nervewrecking.

"We are first responders. We're always frustrated. We always nervous, what to expect when we get to the site of an incident. We're worried. We're also frustrated, especially that kind of incident and time of the day.

"All other factors start to play in and bring all those feelings, especially myself, as I'm sending out my crew and I worry about the safety of the crew. I'm worried every time they go out.

"We find it very hard especially trying to relay the information, sometimes the information comes in quite good and some of the time the information it's different from different sources. So it makes it a lot harder to confirm.

"But as the Commissioner, it's my responsibility to ensure the safety of my team out there. We're proud of ourselves and we're proud of our team. It was very risky, it was windy, it was rough. Even the local villages, local fishermen that we took on board as they know the way in and out the reef, they find it very, very rough that night."

Newsmakers in Sāmoa have also been working overtime since the Manawanui sunk and for many of them, this is the first time they are covering a potential environmental disaster in their backyard.

Veteran journalist Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia was not in the area when the Manawanui went down but has been watching developments closely from town.

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He says there have been conflicting reports about "what's actually happening".

"Of course, I met one of the Navy personnel last weekend where I was briefed with other local journalists here on the situation.

"We were told that it's only a very small amount of diesel coming out of the ship and then that was followed by another report telling us that about 200,000 litres of diesel has leaked and it's not going along the beach but it's going to the open sea.

"And then last night on the latest write-up from those naval personnel people who are dealing with the environmental disaster there, they didn't say anything about the 200,000 litres of leaked oil. Hopefully, there will be more information coming out.

"I received an update from the New Zealand High Commission, where they revealed that they have recovered some of the equipment belonging to the Manawanui and they are working on trying to clear those three containers floating right there at the location where the sunk ship is.

"Commodore Andrew Brown says that they've set up a dedicated hotline for people to report any debris they see around the area."

Sāmoa is preparing to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia next week. More than 50 leaders, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, will attend the talanoa from 21-26 October.