Independent 'draft assessment' of the Manawanui wreck circulates govt agencies' for feedback

RNZ News

3 days ago

UAS footage of RNZN Divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the Southern Coast of Upulo as part of Op Resolution. 25 October 2024
Photo:
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force is circulating a draft assessment of the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui to New Zealand government agencies but there's no date for public release.
"I'm getting their advice and providing advice on the initial draft ... They're other agencies such as Maritime New Zealand, MFAT - you know all key agencies that are part of the sort of multi-agency response that is responding to the Manawanui," Commodore Andrew Brown, from the Royal New Zealand Navy, said.
Commodore Brown has led the recovery operation of the wreck of the Manawanui for the New Zealand Defence Force since it hit the Tafitoala Reef, set on fire and sank off the south coast of Upolu Samoa on 6 October, 2024.
Diesel fuel slicks from HMNZS Manawanui observed from aerial shots.
Photo:
Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure Samoa
NZDF conducted more than 284 dives of the wreck, including checking its 55 tanks and compartments.
"We are as confident as we can be that we have removed as much of the diesel fuel and other pollutants from the vessel. If there is anything remaining from the vessel it would be very small amounts... Only traces I would expect of any fuel," Brown said.
"We've also completed work to recover important equipment and weapons and ammunition, and debris from in and around the ship. We've left the ship as secure as possible until a decision is reached on the next steps for the ship and the work required for that."
The salvors have returned to New Zealand bringing back diesel fuel, pollutants, debris and equipment including the azipod and the Manawanui's anchors and chains.
What happens next to the Manawanui will be informed by the independent wreck, reef and environmental impact assessments.
"We're pushing that as hard as we can, but as you could imagine these types of assessments need to be very carefully progressed. They're being carried out by independent experts. One of them is a Singaporean based," Commodore Brown said.
"They're providing the technical advice on the wreck and the wreck assessment and alongside them are independent experts on the reef, and environment experts. They've also subcontracted some work to New Zealand agencies in progressing that."
Commodore Brown said the initial draft of the wreck assessment is being circulated for advice but there is no timing for when the assessments will be completed, nor the names of the assessors.
"There is some commercial sensitivities related to the contracting of those experts" and they are "being tasked in association with our insurers," he said.
NZ Navy Commodore Andrew Brown.
Photo:
RNZ/ Susana Lei'ataua
A 2km prohibitive area around the Manawanui has been legislated by the Government of Samoa "for safety reasons".
"We've worked hand in glove with the Samoan government officials who you know have the lead on the response, and certainly have the lead on monitoring the environment. It's been very pleasing as we've worked alongside the likes of the Samoan science and research organisation who have been conducting seawater environmental testing," Commodore Brown said.
Water testing has gone from twice a week after the HMNZS Manawanui sank, to once a week and now monthly and "all of the results are coming back with the area clear and uncontaminated from elevated hydrocarbons".
NZDF continues to assist Samoan officials with monitoring the environment and testing the seawater but will not release these results.
"Not at this stage. They're owned by the Samoans. And if those results are to be made public I would expect that would be something that the Samoan authorities would release," Commodore Brown said.
He cannot say for sure if the independent wreck, reef and environmental impact assessments will be made public either "but certainly we have got an absolute focus on being as transparent as we can with respect to this response", he said.
This is Commodore Brown's 46th year with the Royal New Zealand Navy.
"I personally feel the loss of a ship like the Manawanui as if I have lost a colleague or a family member almost, and I know many of my sailor colleagues that have been involved in the response feel the same," he said.
"We also feel, I also feel that bond around the Manawanui and the loss of Manawanui from the Samoans as well. And the wonderful relationship that I've been exposed to through the work I've done with Manawanui working with the Samoan government and the people of Samoa has been an incredible privilege.
"No one ever, ever, ever wants this to occur again and never wanted it to occur in the first place, but it has occurred and we're doing our very, very, very best and I'm very proud to be part of the team that is responding to the Manawanui loss."
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