New Zealand to compensate Samoa $3.6M for navy ship wreck after vessel sank
New Zealand to Compensate Samoa $3.6M for Navy Ship Grounding
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The government of New Zealand has agreed to pay 10 million Samoan tala ($3.6 million) in compensation to Samoa following an incident where New Zealand sailors drove a navy ship aground on a reef off the Pacific Island nation. The vessel, HMNZS Manawanui, caught fire and sank about 1.6 kilometers off the coast of Upolu, Samoa’s second largest island, but all 75 people on board were safely evacuated.
An official inquiry attributed the sinking of the ship to failings of the crew and ship. The crew was unaware that the vessel was on autopilot, leading to the tragic incident. New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, announced the full compensation amount, which will be drawn from New Zealand military funds, as requested by Samoa’s government.
Samoa’s government is yet to respond to the announcement, but New Zealand officials have committed to working with them to decide the future of the wreck. The military has already taken steps to remove pollutants and fallen containers from the site.
Environmental studies and an independent wreck assessment are planned for the future, as the New Zealand Defense Force aims to address any potential impact on the local ecosystem. Despite initial concerns about contamination, recent monitoring has shown clear seawater in the area, prompting the lifting of fishing warnings.
The sinking of HMNZS Manawanui has had a significant impact on the communities of Samoa, particularly those on the South coast where the ship capsized. Villagers feared permanent damage to the fragile reef ecosystem but efforts are underway to address the aftermath of the incident.
The loss of HMNZS Manawanui marks the first time New Zealand has lost a vessel at sea since World War II. The military is actively working on implementing recommendations from a Court of Inquiry report and any potential disciplinary actions against those involved are pending.
