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HMNZS Manawanui (2019)

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For other ships with the same name, see HMNZS Manawanui.

HMNZS Manawanui during RIMPAC 2020
History
Norway
NameEdda Fonn
BuilderMyklebust Verft AS[1]
Launched2003[1]
AcquiredMay 2003
New Zealand
NameHMNZS Manawanui
CostNZ$147 million 2018[2]
Sponsored byJacinda Ardern
Christened7 June 2019
Commissioned7 June 2019
HomeportGisborne[3]
Identification
Fate
General characteristics
Type
  • Littoral operations vessel
  • Hydrographic and diving support
Displacement5,741 tonnes full load[4]
Length84.7 m (277 ft 11 in)[4]
Beam18.0 m (59 ft 1 in)[4]
Draught6.8 m (22 ft 4 in)[4]
Propulsion
  • 4 × 1,920 kW (2,570 hp)
  • 7,680 kW (10,300 bhp) total[1]
Speed13 knots (24 km/h)[4]
Range7,000 nmi (13,000 km)[4]
Capacity
  • 700 m2 (7,500 sq ft) deck area[1]
  • 800 tonnes deck cargo[1]
  • 100 tonne crane[1]
  • 66 passengers[4]
Complement39 core crew[4]

HMNZS Manawanui was a multi-role offshore support vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). She had previously served as the civilian survey vessel MV Edda Fonn in the Norwegian oil and gas industry. The ship was purchased for the RNZN in 2018, and commissioned on 7 June 2019, replacing the hydrographic survey ship HMNZS Resolution and diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui (A09).

Manawanui entered operational service in early 2020 and undertook multiple deployments in the Pacific over subsequent years, participating in RIMPAC 2020 and supporting operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Manawanui sank on 6 October 2024 after running aground while surveying a reef off the coast of Samoa. All 75 people on board Manawanui were rescued.

Civil career and conversion

MV Edda Fonn at Rotterdam in 2003

The ship was built in 2003 by Myklebust Verft and delivered in May as MV Edda Fonn to Østensjø Rederi to serve as a survey vessel for work in the oil and gas industry. She was based in Haugesund, Norway.[5][6] Edda Fonn was chartered out to the Norwegian subsea service provider Reach Subsea in December 2014,[7] completing survey and inspection tasks in the North Sea.[8] In February 2017 the ship was tasked with inspecting pipelines in the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Spain.[9]

In August 2018 Edda Fonn was purchased by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) at a cost of $103 million to replace the hydrographic support ship HMNZS Resolution and the diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui (A09).[10] The New Zealand government had originally planned to purchase a newly-built ship for these roles, with work on this project beginning in 2013.[10][11] After NZ$148 million of funding for the project was diverted in 2017 to cover the unexpectedly high costs of upgrading the RNZN's two Anzac-class frigates it was decided to acquire a second-hand vessel instead.[10][12] New Zealand Ministry of Defence officials reviewed 150 vessels before identifying Edda Fonn as suitable for conversion.[13]

Edda Fonn underwent initial work at Orskov Yard in Frederikshavn, Denmark. The moonpool and Remotely operated underwater vehicle hangar were remodelled, and specialist equipment including a multibeam echosounder, diving launch and recovery system, and davits were installed. She was also repainted in RNZN colours.[14][15]

Operational history

The ship arrived in New Zealand in May 2019.[16] Renamed, HMNZS Manawanui was commissioned into the RNZN on 7 June. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the ship's sponsor.[17] At the time of commissioning it was intended that the ship would serve with the navy for 15 years.[18] Manawanui was based at the Devonport Naval Base.[19] Her honorary home port was Gisborne.[20] The ship's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander Andy Mahoney.[18]

US Ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown on the bridge of HMNZS Manawanui in November 2019

After being commissioned, Manawanui required further modifications to be fitted with communications equipment and items specific to a military role.[21] These works were originally scheduled to be completed by November 2019 but were delayed due to technical problems and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The inability of foreign contractors to travel to New Zealand during the pandemic was one of the causes of the delays. Bad weather and difficulties with fitting new equipment to the ship also contributed. Most of the modifications had been made by mid-2020 but the project was not completed until September 2023. Manawanui was able to be used for much of this period, with new capabilities being added as elements of the modifications were completed.[22]

Manawanui completed her initial safety and readiness checks in February 2020.[23] She received interim operational release that month, which was earlier than the initially planned date of April 2021. This change was made to allow the ship to participate in that year's RIMPAC military exercise off Hawaii.[24] Manawanui took part in this exercise during August 2020.[25][26] During the exercise Manawanui operated with warships from Australia, Brunei and Singapore. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions her crew was unable to disembark the ship during the deployment.[26]

Manawanui sailing in formation with other vessels during Exercise RIMPAC 2020

During 2021 Manawanui received a range of modifications and two new engines. These works were delayed by the strict COVID-19 lockdown in Auckland that year. Sea trials were undertaken in March 2022.[27]

In September 2022 Manawanui was part of a multinational operation to remove World War II ordnance in Tuvalu.[28] On 9 December 2022, Commander Yvonne Gray took the command of Manawanui. Gray, originally an officer in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, moved to New Zealand in 2012.[19]

During February 2023 Manawanui provided support to the area around Gisborne in New Zealand in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. This included assessing damage to Gisborne's port and transporting supplies.[29] During the same month the ship was used to carry 3.2 tonnes of cocaine to New Zealand after it was seized by the police during an operation in which the drugs were intercepted after they had been dropped in the Pacific Ocean ahead of being smuggled into Australia.[30] In November 2023 she conducted undersea surveys and disposal of World War II bombs in Niue, Fiji, and Vanuatu.[31]

In 2024 the vessel carried out three deployments to the South West Pacific, including visits to Kermadec Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue. In its final deployment the vessel sailed from Devonport on 28 September, intending to return to port on 1 November.[32]

Sinking

On the evening of 5 October 2024, Manawanui lost power and ran aground around one nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) off Siumu, on the south coast of Upolu island, Samoa, whilst carrying out survey work to a reef in rough seas and high winds.[33] Commander Yvonne Gray gave the order for everyone to abandon the ship.[34] All 75 crew on board were evacuated by four of the vessel's life rafts and two rigid hull inflatable boats early on 6 October.[35][36][37] Rescue efforts were managed by the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre and the Royal New Zealand Air Force deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft to assist. The evacuation began at 7:52 pm on 5 October.[32] Due to challenging weather conditions it took five hours for the lifeboats to reach the shore. One of the rescue boats flipped over during the journey and its occupants walked to shore on the reef.[35] At 10:00pm the British cruise ship MS Queen Elizabeth and Norwegian cable-laying ship MS Lodbrog responding to the mayday arrived on scene to render aid.[38][39]

The vessel caught fire by 6:40 am on 6 October and capsized and sank by 9:00 am.[40][41][36] At least 17 people were injured in the incident,[42] many from cuts and abrasions from walking on the reef, and three received hospital treatment, including one for a dislocated shoulder.[35][43] The crew and passengers, including seven scientists and four personnel from foreign militaries, were accommodated in Samoa before being flown to New Zealand. The RNZN was carrying out works to salvage the vessel and mitigate the environmental impact of the sinking.[36] On 7 October, local residents reported seeing and smelling oil near the wreck.[44] The acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio said in a press statement, "The HMNZS Manawanui is not recoverable and has sunk into the ocean.”[45]

The sinking will be investigated by a naval Court of Inquiry.[46] The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, has said that some parts of the inquiry will be public and others, such as where commercially sensitive information is discussed, will be confidential.[47] The court of inquiry will be headed by Commodore Melissa Ross, who is a former Deputy Chief of Navy. The other members of the court of inquiry will be Captain Andrew Mahoney from the RNZN, Group Captain John McWilliam from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Captain Dean Battilana from the Royal Australian Navy.[48]

The vessel is the first New Zealand naval vessel to be unintentionally sunk since World War II and the first to be lost in peacetime.[36][43]

At the time of the sinking, the vessel was carrying 950 tonnes of diesel.[49] On 8 October local Samoan residents reported that the sinking caused an oil spill which threatens tourism and fishing in the local area.[50] On the same day the RNZN stated that while oil had leaked from Manawanui as it sank naval divers who had inspected the wreck had not detected anything leaking from it. The Samoan Government concurred with this assessment. At this time the wreck was 30 metres (98 ft) below the surface, with the ship lying on its side. The RNZN was considering options to remove fuels and other chemicals from the wreck.[51] On 11 October local fishers reported fish covered in oil, and Samoan authorities confirmed a leak of 200,000 liters of diesel and damage to the reef.[52][53]

The sinking of Manawanui led to female members of the NZDF being subjected to abuse online and in person. Commander Gray was also abused by online commentators and was accused of being hired due to her gender.[54] On 10 October the New Zealand Minister for Defence Judith Collins condemned these activities, labelling them a "deeply concerning misogynistic narrative".[55] Rear Admiral Golding also called on the attacks to stop.[56]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f Edda Fon Archived 30 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Østensjø Rederi website. Retrieved: 30 August 2018.
  2. ^ "The Government has approved the purchase of a dive and hydrographic support vessel for the Royal New Zealand Navy Official website of the New Zealand Government, 22 August 2018.
  3. ^ Gisborne home port for navy’s new vessel Gisborne Herald, 28 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h RNZN website. Accessed 30 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Edda Fonn". Ship Technology. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ Giske, Kim Idar (10 April 2003). "Edda Fonn (04/2003)". Maritimt Magasin. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Reach Subsea awards more time to Edda Fonn vessel". Offshore Energy. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Reach Subsea Secures More Work for Its Vessels". Offshore Energy. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  9. ^ "MMT to Survey Algeria – Spain Subsea Pipeline". Offshore Energy. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Laura Walters (22 August 2018). "Govt buys new navy ship with remaining money after frigate blowout". Stuff. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  11. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Defence 2024, pp. 64–65.
  12. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Defence 2024, p. 65.
  13. ^ "Edda Fonn offshore vessel sold to New Zealand Navy". Offshore Energy. 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  14. ^ Harrison Christian (7 June 2019). "New ship a 'game changer' for NZ Navy – Defence Minister". Stuff. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Conversion of Edda Fonn – from Research Vessel to Diving Support Vessel". Orskov Yard. 12 April 2019. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  16. ^ "'I name this ship, Her Majesty's New Zealand ship, Manawanui'". RNZ. 8 June 2019. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  17. ^ "HMNZS Manawanui". Royal New Zealand Navy. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  18. ^ a b Hartigan, Brian (7 June 2019). "HMNZS Manawanui commissioned by PM Jacinda Ardern". CONTACT magazine. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Yorkshire woman takes command of Royal New Zealand Navy Ship". New Zealand Defence Force. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  20. ^ "New Zealand Navy chooses Gisborne as homeport for new vessel". Naval Today. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  21. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Defence 2024, p. 69.
  22. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Defence 2024, pp. 70–71, 73.
  23. ^ New Zealand Defence Force 2020a, p. 89.
  24. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Defence 2024, pp. 70–71.
  25. ^ New Zealand Defence Force (29 July 2020). "HMNZS Manawanui heads to Rim of the Pacific exercise around Hawaii". Medium. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  26. ^ a b New Zealand Defence Force 2021, p. 64.
  27. ^ New Zealand Defence Force 2022, p. 84.
  28. ^ "International naval team finds 22 huge World War II bombs in Tuvalu lagoon". RNZ. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Cyclone Gabrielle: Navy ship with supplies diverts from Tolaga Bay". RNZ. 17 February 2023. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  30. ^ Graham-McLay, Charlotte (8 February 2023). "New Zealand intercepts 3.2 tonnes of cocaine worth $500m floating in Pacific Ocean". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  31. ^ "NZ Navy conduct Pacific operation to dispose submerged World War II bombs". RNZ. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  32. ^ a b "HMNZS Manawanui crew and passengers rescued after ship runs aground in Samoa". New Zealand Defence Force. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  33. ^ Yee, Isaac. "New Zealand loses first naval ship since WWII; vessel threatening oil spill off Samoan coast". CNN. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Ex-Royal Navy commander praised for saving lives after New Zealand naval ship sinks". Forces News. 7 October 2024.
  35. ^ a b c "HMNZS Manawanui: What we know about the ship's sinking". RNZ. 6 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  36. ^ a b c d "New Zealand loses first naval ship to sea since WW2". BBC News. 6 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  37. ^ "NZ Navy ship runs aground off Samoa". RNZ. 5 October 2024. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  38. ^ Mercogliano, Sal. "The Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Manawanui, Grounded, Then Sank Off the Coast of Samoa". Youtube. What is Going on With Shipping?. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  39. ^ Howie, Cherie (6 October 2024). "Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui runs aground near Samoa". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Stricken Navy ship on fire, plumes of black smoke seen on Samoa reef". The New Zealand Herald. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  41. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (6 October 2024). "NZ navy ship sinks, oil smell fills village air". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  42. ^ Charlotte Graham-McClay (7 October 2024). "Samoa warns of 'highly probable' fuel spill after New Zealand navy ship caught fire and sank". Associated Press. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  43. ^ a b "Captain's decision to abandon HMNZS Manawanui 'saved lives' – Navy Chief". 1News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Locals fear damage, report smell after HMNZS Manawanui sinking". RNZ. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  45. ^ "New Zealand loses first naval ship since WWII; vessel threatening oil spill off Samoan coast". CNN. 7 October 2024.
  46. ^ Glenn McConnell (6 October 2024). "Evacuation of Manawanui after Samoa grounding 'saved lives', says navy chief". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  47. ^ "Manawanui was 'in a maintenance period' before being deployed – NZDF". RNZ. 8 October 2024.
  48. ^ "Australian Officer joins HMNZS Manawanui Court of Inquiry - Australian Defence Magazine". Australian Defence Magazine. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  49. ^ "'Small' oil leaks detected in Samoa after NZ navy shipwreck". France 24. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  50. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (8 October 2024). "Oil on the ocean: Ecological disaster looms". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  51. ^ "Navy dispels concerns HMNZS Manawanui is leaking oil". RNZ. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  52. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (11 October 2024). "Manawanui sinking: Fish covered in oil, huge leak confirmed". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  53. ^ "Manawanui: 200,000 litres of diesel has leaked from wreck, says Samoan authorities". RNZ. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  54. ^ "Sexism and Homophobia Can't Diminish Commander Gray's Heroic Actions". Gay Express. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  55. ^ "Watch: Judith Collins faces questions amid conflicting reports about Manawanui leak". RNZ. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  56. ^ McKay, Ben (10 October 2024). "Female captain of NZ ship that sank subjected to vicious online abuse". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

Works consulted

Wikimedia Commons has media related to IMO 9273662.
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