14 April 2025
Update: 2:58pm NZDT
The latest on Operation Resolution in Samoa.
The latest on Operation Resolution in Samoa.
Operation Resolution update 11 April | NZ Defence Force
- NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown said, “The salvors continue to use their highly-specialised diving and salvage capability to recover equipment, weapons, ammunition and some debris from HMNZS Manawanui. They also continue to work to make the ship as secure as possible.”
- “We recently returned our recovered equipment, including weapons, to New Zealand on a military flight and are working alongside local Samoan authorities on this, as work on the ship progresses.”
- “The Samoan and New Zealand Governments continue to work through the next steps with an independent expert assessment of the wreck underway, which will help inform that work. This includes studies of the reef and marine environment in the vicinity of Manawanui.”
- “With the risk of environmental damage reduced after the successful work to remove diesel fuel and other pollutants from HMNZS Manawanui, Samoan Government officials have approved the cessation of NZDF drone surveillance of the area.”
- “The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has continued to report the seawater and marine life in the area clear and uncontaminated. They have recommended to move the frequency of seawater testing in their monitoring plan, to monthly.”
- Commodore Brown said, “The findings of the Court of Inquiry into the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui was released last week and I reinforce the Chief of Navy’s commitment that Navy are ‘owning it, fixing it and learning from it’.”
- “I’m looking forward to returning to Samoa soon to continue high-level engagements with High Commission and Government of Samoa officials,” Commodore Brown said. “While in Apia, I will be honoured to stand shoulder- to-shoulder with Samoan veterans and serving military personnel at Anzac Day commemorations.”
- “The recovery efforts will take time – our priority continues to be to minimise any possible environmental impacts, and New Zealand remains committed to doing a careful and thorough job.”
