Salvage Operation Recovers Fuel from Sunken HMNZS Manawanui

Salvors hired by the New Zealand Defence Force have successfully recovered a substantial amount of fuel from the lost survey ship HMNZS Manawanui, which sank off Samoa in October 2024 after running aground on a reef.

Over the course of 17 days, the salvage divers worked tirelessly from a moored deck barge to pump out diesel and oily water from the vessel’s tanks. Their efforts resulted in the retrieval of over 340,000 liters of liquid, with an estimated 320,000 liters being diesel fuel mix from the ship’s fuel tanks.

Commodore Andrew Brown, the NZDF on-scene representative, expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the salvors. He mentioned that the team has emptied the larger and more accessible tanks and is now focused on draining the remaining 54 tanks, which include fuel, lube oil, and bilge water tanks.

While the exact composition of the recovered liquid is yet to be determined, Commodore Brown noted that a significant portion is believed to be diesel fuel. Additionally, around 18,000 liters of lubricating oil have been successfully extracted from the Manawanui.

Environmental Concerns and Community Response

As the salvage operation nears completion, discussions between the governments of Samoa and New Zealand are underway to address potential environmental concerns and consider the next steps, which may involve wreck removal or compensation for affected parties.

Local fishermen, who were prohibited from fishing near the wreck site due to the risk of fuel contamination, have voiced their concerns and sought financial assistance. In a bid to alleviate the impact of the incident on their livelihoods, villagers have called for compensation from their respective governments and have reached out to the Chinese embassy in Apia for additional support.

A spokesperson for the affected community highlighted the urgency of their situation and expressed gratitude for the willingness of the Chinese embassy to provide immediate assistance. Discussions have encompassed various forms of aid, including monetary support to help individuals and families cope with their losses.

The collaborative efforts of salvage teams, government officials, and international partners underscore the importance of swift and effective response measures in mitigating the environmental and socio-economic repercussions of maritime incidents.