First video of sunken New Zealand Navy ship reveals diesel leak in Samoa

Underwater footage of the wreck of the survey ship HMNZS Manawanui, which ran aground off the southern coast of Samoa, has shown a slow diesel leak from an engine room pipe.

The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) said the fuel leak caused a slight sheen on the surface of the water, but there was no sign of a leak from the ship’s main fuel tanks.

The NZDF said the accessible fuel tanks were still intact and officials believed the amount of diesel spilled was less than initially thought.

However, they were unable to provide an accurate estimate of how much fuel had spilled as further investigations were underway.

The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground on October 5, 2024 while conducting a hydrographic survey approximately one nautical mile from shore. Rough seas and strong winds worsened the situation, forcing the ship to hit the bottom, slam, catch fire and ultimately sink.

All 75 crew members and scientists on board were able to evacuate the ship safely, but some suffered minor injuries on the way to shore.

Video credit: NZ Defense Force/Facebook

Since the sinking, the New Zealand Navy has been monitoring the area to ensure no further environmental damage occurs.

Regular beach surveys and drone overflights found no signs of pollution along the coast. An aerial survey conducted on Thursday confirmed the presence of a 350-meter-long oil slick that appears to be disappearing into the sea.

The NZDF is cautiously optimistic, saying the diesel leak came from a much smaller source than thought, as the main fuel tanks appear to be undamaged.

The ship was carrying diesel fuel, which is less polluting than heavy fuel oil and reduces the risk of long-term pollution.

Efforts to clear rubbish from the wreck site have begun, with locals helping to recover three containers that washed up on a nearby reef. The NZDF has set up an emergency number for Samoan residents to report further debris that may wash ashore.

The NZDF is still considering options to remove the remaining 950 tonnes of diesel fuel on board the wreck. The ship is at a depth of 30 meters near a reef, raising concerns about the possibility of costly rescue efforts.

Commodore Andrew Brown of the New Zealand Defense Force said the force wanted to work closely with the Samoan authorities in its ongoing response operations.

Reference: NZ Defense Force

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