New Zealand loses first naval ship to sea since WW2

The Royal New Zealand Navy has misplaced its first ship to the ocean since World Struggle Two, after certainly one of its vessels ran aground off the coast of Samoa.

The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist diving and ocean imaging ship, got here into hassle about one nautical mile from the island of Upolu on Saturday evening native time, whereas conducting a survey of a reef.

It later caught hearth earlier than capsizing.

All 75 folks on board have been evacuated onto lifeboats and rescued early on Sunday, in response to New Zealand’s Defence Pressure mentioned in a press release.

New Zealand mentioned the reason for the grounding was unknown and shall be investigated.

The incident occurred throughout a bout of tough and windy climate.

Navy officers mentioned rescuers “battled” currents and winds that pushed life rafts and sea boats in direction of the reefs, and swells made rescue efforts “challenging”.

Officers mentioned the world had not been surveyed since 1987.

The vessel’s crew and passengers – together with seven scientists and 4 international army personnel – are being accommodated in Samoa earlier than being flown again to New Zealand.

As of 06:40 native time on Sunday (18:40 BST on Saturday), the ship was seen itemizing closely with smoke billowing from it.

By 09:00 (21:00 BST on Saturday), it was beneath the floor.

Defence minister Judith Collins described the incident as “a really sad day for the Navy” throughout a information convention.

She added: “But everyone came through, and that, I have to say, is down to the professionalism [of the crew], the training and their own courage.”

Dave Poole, who witnessed the ship ablaze, informed the Reuters information company: “As we came into the bay we saw the ship and no smoke. Within 15 minutes fire and smoke were visible. It sank shortly after.”

The HMNZS Manawanui is the primary of New Zealand’s naval vessels to be unintentionally sunk for the reason that nation participated in naval battles throughout World Struggle Two.

A number of different ships have been deliberately sunk within the intervening interval for varied causes, together with to function a diving wreck or a synthetic reef.

Navy officers mentioned their efforts are actually turning in direction of making an attempt to salvage the vessel and minimising the environmental impacts of the sinking.