Final report released by Military Court of Enquiry for loss of New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui

On 4th of April 2025, the final report was released by the Military Court of enquiry which stated the reasons for sinking of vessel HMNZS Manawanui . This incidence was first of its kind of loss for the New Zealand Navy after World war II.

Summary of the Report – The reason for the vessel sinking was

•        Lack of experience and training of the crew members.

•        Lack of practice of Risk management and other reasons stated by the court.

Summary of the Incidence

On 5th October 2024, New Zealand’s navy vessel was conducting a survey near Samoa. At around 18:15 hours when the crew tried to change the course of the vessel but they could not get the control as the vessel was guided by autopilot. Even after trying several times the crew could not get the control which lead to misdiagnosis of a thruster control failure.

This whole issue led to vessel movement on a wrong path and hitting a reef at a speed of 10 Knots, later at around18:46 hours the crew decided to abandon the ship.

Later the ship got damaged and was sunk.

All crew members were safe.

 The court of enquiry also recommended several reforms like

•        Regular training programs

•        A Strong Risk management system and others

   

Conclusion

The loss of vessel HMNZS Manawanui gives a lesson to us all in terms of safety of crew / vessel / marine life.  The guidelines should always be followed to avoid such mishappening. A vessel sinking is actually a war like situation which gives very short time for action and many times the situation is not under control.

There should be global standards to be met for crew / vessels / autopilot systems etc. before the first voyage.