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The Royal New Zealand Navy’s sunken dive and hydrographic vessel, HMNZS Manawanui, is being made “as secure as possible”, with independent experts undertaking a wreck assessment on the possible tourism dive site.
It’s understood that the government of Samoa reportedly favours the ship becoming a permanent fixture as a tourism-focused dive site, after the vessel grounded itself off the coast of Samoa in October last year.
NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown, said diesel fuel and other pollutants have successfully been removed from HMNZS Manawanui to reduce environmental risk. Crews are now working to recover equipment, weapons, ammunition and some debris.
“The Samoan and New Zealand governments are now working through what the next steps are. A wreck assessment is being conducted by independent experts, which includes studies of the reef and marine environment in the vicinity of Manawanui. This will help inform the next steps,” said Commodore Brown.
“After a brief visit to the Port of Apia to reconfigure the salvors’ barge, it’s back moored over Manawanui and they are making steady progress.
“Using their highly-specialised diving and salvage capability, the salvors have cut access into the ship and retrieved weapons and ammunition from secure compartments.
“We’ve been careful and thorough, checking serial numbers and taking photographic records to ensure every item is accounted for.”
The Samoan Police Service has also reportedly assisted in safe and secure storage of weapons and ammunition recovered from the vessel as well as some safe disposal.
“Our specialist weapons and ammunitions advisors, overseeing the recovery, have assessed that some of the ammunition has deteriorated from exposure to seawater. This is being safely disposed of with Samoan Police Service assistance. The remaining ammunition, along with the weapons, equipment and debris is being returned to New Zealand,” said Commodore Brown.
“The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa is continuing to maintain regular monitoring and they report the seawater and marine life in the area are clear and uncontaminated.
“While the recovery efforts will take time and naturally be affected by sea and weather conditions as we have experienced. New Zealand remains committed to doing a careful and thorough job. Our priority continues to be to minimise any possible environmental impacts and we are committed to doing the right thing.”
