New Zealand experiences its first naval ship loss since World War II, with the vessel posing a risk of an oil spill near the Samoan coastline.

The crew of the HMNZS Manawanui were successfully rescued from the sinking ship by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

New Zealand's navy experienced its first ship loss since World War II when the HMNZS Manawanui sank on a reef near Samoa on Sunday, raising concerns about a potential environmental crisis in an area vital for fishing and tourism.

The specialized dive and hydrographic vessel lost power and ran aground on Saturday evening while performing a reef survey approximately one nautical mile off the southern coast of Upolu, as reported by New Zealand officials.

By Sunday morning, the ship was reported to be "listing heavily." Smoke was observed around 6:40 a.m., and by 9 a.m., the vessel had completely submerged.

This incident marks the first accidental sinking of a New Zealand naval ship since World War II, prompting authorities to initiate a court of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event.

Local businesses and environmental advocates are now expressing concerns about the potential ecological consequences of the incident, which took place in waters adjacent to Samoa's most densely populated island.

"We have a significant population of sea turtles that inhabit our lagoon, and people take pleasure in that. I hope nothing happens to them," stated Brian Rose, manager of Coconuts Beach Club at Maninoa, in an interview with CNN affiliate RNZ.

New Zealand's Defense Minister Judith Collins informed Newstalk ZB that the immediate focus is on evaluating the vessel's depth and the risk of an oil spill.

"It contains a substantial amount of oil, including lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, diesel, and urea. We cannot simply leave it as is," she remarked.

Divers were dispatched to the site on Sunday night, she noted. "They will assess the situation, but it is expected to be a significant undertaking," she added.

Acting Samoan Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio stated in a press release on Sunday that an oil spill is highly likely.

"The HMNZS Manawanui is irretrievable and has sunk into the ocean," he confirmed.

The research vessel experienced a power failure and subsequently ran aground on a reef before ultimately sinking. Fortunately, all 75 individuals on board, including passengers and crew, were successfully rescued by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

A Maritime Crisis

Local authorities reported that Samoan police received an emergency call shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday. In response, small boats were deployed after receiving alerts that a vessel was taking on water and that its crew would likely require evacuation.

A range of vessels and aircraft were mobilized for assistance, including a P-8A Poseidon and a C-130J from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as confirmed by the New Zealand navy.

By 5 a.m. on Sunday, all 75 individuals aboard, including passengers and crew, had been successfully rescued. However, witnesses later observed smoke rising from the submerged wreckage.

Dave Poole recounted to CNN that he spotted smoke emanating from the ship’s bridge on Sunday morning while in the village of Tafitaola. 

“It took just 15 minutes for the vessel to become fully engulfed in flames before it sank,” he noted, mentioning that local residents had interrupted their Sunday church service to witness the incident.

“They were visibly distressed and worried about the impact on their beach, reef, marine reserve, and livelihoods as fishermen,” Poole added.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Luxon announced that "environmental spill kits" have been dispatched from New Zealand to assist in reducing and alleviating the impacts.

The HMNZS Manawanui is a relatively recent asset in the New Zealand navy, acquired in 2018 for approximately $100 million NZD (around $61 million), despite being constructed in the early 2000s.

As stated by the navy, the vessel was intended to "survey harbors and approaches before larger support ships deliver equipment and personnel for either combat operations or disaster relief."