Three New Zealand Navy Officers Charged Over Sinking of HMNZS Manawanui

Three senior officers of the Royal New Zealand Navy have been charged in connection with the loss of the hydrographic survey vessel HMNZS Manawanui, after the ship grounded and later sank off the coast of Samoa in October 2024.

The charges, which are set to be heard at a court martial, relate to the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s grounding on a reef off the southern coast of the Samoan island of Upolu.

Reports indicate the ship struck the reef and eventually sank after a serious onboard fire following the impact.

The Manawanui was conducting a survey mission at the time, and all personnel aboard were rescued.

According to official sources, the three officers have been charged with various counts including

Negligently causing the loss of the ship,

Negligently permitting the loss of the ship,

And in one case, negligently failing to perform a duty, or alternatively negligently

The officers charged include the vessel’s former commanding officer and two other senior members of the crew.

Formal court martial proceedings are expected as the case moves through the military justice system.

The sinking of the Manawanui was one of the most serious maritime incidents for the New Zealand Defence Force in recent years.

The vessel ran aground on a reef near Upolu while conducting a routine hydrographic survey. After striking the reef, the ship caught fire and sank.

An earlier Court of Inquiry attributed the grounding to a “series of human errors, including navigational missteps and procedural failures rather than mechanical faults on the vessel itself.

The loss of the Manawanui also triggered a significant salvage and environmental response effort due to the release of fuel and equipment into the surrounding waters, as well as compensation discussions with the government of Samoa.