The NZDF has launched a formal inquiry after HMNZS Manawanui sank near Samoa over the weekend.
The ship grounded near the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa on Saturday evening while conducting a reef survey. The ship caught fire and sank on Sunday morning.
"The 75 crew and passengers on board HMNZS Manawanui have made it to safety in Samoa after the ship grounded near the southern coast of Upolu. They are being supported in Samoa or on supporting vessels," Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Shane Arndell, said.
"The incident occurred on Saturday evening while the ship was conducting a reef survey. The 75 left the ship in life rafts and sea boats after the ship grounded.
"The New Zealand Defence Force worked closely with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) which coordinated rescue efforts. Several vessels responded and assisted in rescuing crew and passengers.
"A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon was also deployed."
"At this stage the exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation," the NZDF said in a statement. "At 6.40am Sunday, the ship was listing heavily and smoke was visible from the ship. At 9.00am it was known to have capsized and was below the surface. The NZDF is working with authorities to understand the implications and minimise the environmental impacts.
"Support is being provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Samoan authorities to the crew and passengers from Manawanui and they are being accommodated in Samoa. The NZDF will be sending aircraft to Samoa to bring them back to New Zealand.
"This was HMNZS Manawanui’s third deployment to the South West Pacific this year. The ship had a series of activities scheduled including in the Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue. They sailed from Devonport on 28 September and were due to return home on 1 November."
HMNZS Manawanui was acquired to close the capability gap created with the decommissioning of the survey ship HMNZS Resolution in 2012 and the dive tender HMNZS Manawanui in early 2018. The ship was purchased by the Ministry of Defence in 2018 and entered service with the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2019.
The ship was originally a Norwegian oil and gas survey vessel built in 2003.