The Latest Update On The HMNZS Manawanui Response
Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force
The rest of the debris, along with tanktainers of unusable diesel fuel, pollutants, and oil mix will return to New Zealand on the salvors' barge for safe disposal.
· NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown said, 'Another important milestone in Operation Resolution has been reached with the work to retrieve important equipment, weapons, ammunition and some debris from in and around HMNZS Manawanui now complete.' This follows the successful removal of diesel fuel, oil and other pollutants from the ship.
· 'I'd like to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge the salvors, Pacific7 Limited & Bay Underwater Services NZ Limited for their careful and thorough work. We also appreciate the local Samoan Authorities and Government officials, who have continued to provide their oversight, expertise and assistance throughout this important work.'
· 'All the equipment, weapons and the ammunition has now been returned to NZ on military flights, and much of the scrap metal debris has gone to be repurposed locally,' said Commodore Brown. 'The rest of the debris, along with tanktainers of unusable diesel fuel, pollutants, and oil mix will return to New Zealand on the salvors' barge for safe disposal.'
· While sea conditions have delayed lifting the specialised anchoring and mooring installations critical to securing the barge in place over Manawanui, the salvors have spent time in the Port of Apia reconfiguring the barge from a salvage diving setup, to allow for the transport of equipment safely back to NZ.
· Commodore Brown said, 'Every effort has been taken to leave the Manawanui as safe and secure as possible, until a decision is reached on next steps for the ship and the work required for that. In the meantime the Government of Samoa's Prohibited Area of 2kms around the Manawanui will remain in place.'
· 'With our focus on the next steps for Manawanui, reef and environmental studies are progressing to inform and sit alongside the independent wreck assessment. These will take time, but will provide essential expert advice, to inform government decisions.'
· Commodore Brown said, 'A core NZDF task group remains in Samoa to support the ongoing response, allowing for skilled people to come in at the right point, as we progress the next steps.'
· 'The work to remove potential environmental risks has been extremely technical and challenging, but incredibly important for the marine and coastal environment on Upolu's south coast and we continue to be absolutely committed to doing the right thing into the future.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Independent 'draft assessment' of the Manawanui wreck circulates govt agencies' for feedback
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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
1st NZSAS Regiment Marks 70th Anniversary
Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. For 70 years the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on some of the most complex, challenging and dangerous missions faced by the New Zealand Defence Force, with the ultimate goal always being to protect New Zealand, its people and interests. The NZSAS was raised as a response to a strategic dilemma in the 1950s, when the New Zealand Government wanted to support the British in defending Malaya against the threat of communist expansion, whilst recognizing our comparatively small Defence Force and resources. As a result, a single NZSAS Squadron was raised and deployed to give New Zealand a credible impact across both military and political circles. From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. Chief of Army Major General Rose King says NZSAS operators have played a pivotal role in a number of significant engagements over the course of the unit's existence. 'Our Special Forces personnel are among the best in the world at what they do. They deploy into places that others can't, they can achieve things that larger conventional units simply couldn't. Their sense of service over self is second to none, and their will to succeed and achieve their mission is extraordinary,' Major General Rose King said. Throughout its history, members of the NZSAS have been deployed throughout South East Asia and the Pacific, from Malaya to Timor Leste, Thailand to Papua New Guinea. The Unit has also contributed to global peace keeping and peace monitoring missions, with NZSAS operators later being heavily involved in the Middle East, including reconnaissance operations and partnering with Special Police Forces in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan campaign was bookended with a NZSAS team leading the ground evacuation of nearly 400 people to safety following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The Commanding Officer of 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment says the Regiment can only succeed with the support and sustainment of a world-class army and Defence Force. 'From the jungles of South East Asia and the Pacific, to the deserts, mountains and alleyways of the middle east and beyond, New Zealand's Special Air Service Regiment has always stood ready for New Zealand, and always will be,' the Commanding Officer said. 'For 70 years SAS, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Commando, and Special Operations enablers have delivered whenever Government has asked, and whenever the Chief of Defence Force has tasked. From its early focus on special reconnaissance and deep infiltration in the jungle, the Regiment has developed counter-terrorism, direct action and special recovery capabilities in recent decades. Commando and EOD trades have been established in order to support Police and other agencies when responding to new threats at home, with further advances across intelligence, communications, logistics, female engagement and medical specialties to provide special forces commanders with the broadest range of options and support. 'Whenever they're called upon, whatever the task, our NZSAS members are always ready to deploy at immediate notice in order to uphold the values we hold so important in New Zealand. They are a huge credit to not only Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army and the wider Defence Force, but should be a source of pride for the country as a whole,' Major General King said. The Regiment's Commanding Officer says this weekend is a special occasion to reflect on what has been a significant legacy by those who went before and will be marked with a series of events for both current and former members. It included the unveiling of new pou at Papakura Military Camp's memorial area earlier this week. 'The memorial area is where the Regiment records its whakapapa. It's where we thank those who have gone before and remember those who have paid the ultimate price. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and so these new pou carry a huge significance for us,' the Commanding Officer said. 'We will reflect not just on the operational successes, but also the vigilance and dedication it takes to train and prepare at home, to maintain standards, to develop new tactics, and to 'hold the pager' for crisis response.' Major General King said a lot has changed within the Regiment over the course of its seven decades, including evolved training methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, the physical locations of its home base and the hundreds of personnel and staff who have supported, enabled and maintained the Regiment over the decades. 'But many things have not, and will not change; the operational experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that embodies every member of New Zealand's Special Forces.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
NZDF Prepares For Major Warfighting Exercise In Australia
Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force Held every two years, the exercise is designed to improve and strengthen interoperability and combat readiness in complex, multi-domain operations. New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel and assets have begun to deploy to one of the largest multi-national military exercises in the world. Featuring more than 30,000 military personnel and platforms from 19 nations, Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 is being held from 13 July to 4 August across Australia. Held every two years, the exercise is designed to improve and strengthen interoperability and combat readiness in complex, multi-domain operations. In preparation for the exercise, close to 35 New Zealand Army vehicles, including Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAV) and the new Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, along with 150 personnel, boarded HMNZS Canterbury today, ready for the transit to Queensland. Once there, the NZ Army combat team will link up with the Australian Army's 7th Brigade for a preparatory exercise to hone their interoperability in the build up to Talisman Sabre. They will soon be joined by the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, three NH90 helicopters, P-8A Poseidon aircraft, mine warfare divers, military police, medics, logistics and others to support a range of intense land, air, and maritime operations alongside key partners. In total, more than 680 NZDF personnel will deploy on the exercise. 'Talisman Sabre provides an invaluable opportunity for us to train with some of our closest defence partners in a realistic and demanding environment,' said Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Rob Krushka. 'Exercises like this ensure we remain a credible, capable and combat-ready force, ready to respond to regional and global challenges.' Participating alongside ally Australia and defence partners including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others, the NZDF's involvement reflects New Zealand's ongoing commitment to collective security, regional stability, and defence cooperation. 'One of our real capabilities is force integration,' Major General Krushka said. 'We have a well-proven ability to seamlessly embed our personnel and platforms into multi-national, multi-domain tactical forces and this exercise gives us another opportunity to demonstrate this.' Talisman Sabre 25 will incorporate joint training scenarios including amphibious landings, maritime identification and interception, air operations, live-fire exercises, and logistics support across a vast training area, including in Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland, and in the Coral Sea. For the first time, Papua New Guinea will also be hosting an event.
