Friday, 30 May 2025, 4:35 pm Press Release: New Zealand Defence Force
We’ve reached an important stage in the Manawanui
response, with the salvors’ barge returning to New Zealand
from Samoa and commencing demobilisation, NZDF Senior
National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore
Andrew Brown said.
“On board was the equipment and
debris from in and around HMNZS Manawanui that could not be
repurposed, along with tanktainers containing the unusable
diesel fuel, oil, seawater mix. These will be processed for
safe disposal.”
Commodore Brown said, “In the
final days during the recovery work, the salvors carefully
lifted the azipod that detached from the ship in the
grounding, and the 3.3 tonne anchors with their chains, onto
the barge for transport back to New
Zealand.”
“It was a delicate operation to ensure
the least impact was made on the surrounding environment,
and removed any potential risk during a significant weather
event. The NZDF will take custody of these from the
salvors.”
Commodore Brown said, “We’ve also
taken the opportunity to officially acknowledge the salvors,
Pacific 7 Limited & Bay Underwater Services NZ Limited,
in a small ceremony. Their highly skilled and expert
capability ensured the success of what has been some
extremely technical diving and salvage
work.”
“With the focus clearly on the next steps
for Manawanui, we await the draft independent wreck
assessment for New Zealand agencies review. Expert studies
of the reef and environment in the vicinity of Manawanui,
will inform and sit alongside this assessment. These studies
will provide valuable advice to inform government decisions,
and it’s important the experts take the time to be careful
and thorough.”
Commodore Brown said, “Until a
decision is reached on next steps for the ship, and the work
required for that begins, every effort has been taken to
leave the Manawanui as safe and secure as possible. For
safety reasons the Government of Samoa’s Prohibited Area
of 2kms around Manawanui, remains in
place.”
“Directed by the Marine Pollution
Advisory Committee working group chair to carry on regular
monitoring to provide a level of assurance to the community,
the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa reports have
continued to show the seawater in the area clear and
uncontaminated from elevated
hydrocarbons.”
Commodore Brown said, “As we bid
farewell to salvors Pacific 7 and Bay Underwater Services,
we say thank you for the professional way you have carried
out the work to remove the diesel fuel and other
pollutants.”
