A devastating maritime accident involving a New Zealand navy vessel occurred due to a basic but costly mistake - forgetting to disengage the autopilot system, according to findings released Friday by a military inquiry.
The HMNZS Manawanui, deployed on an ocean floor mapping mission, struck a reef near Samoa in October, caught fire, and ultimately sank. This marked New Zealand's first naval vessel loss since World War II.
The investigation revealed that crew members noticed the ship veering off course and attempted to alter direction, believing they faced a thruster control malfunction. However, they failed to verify if the autopilot remained engaged.
"The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors," explained officials at a press conference in Auckland. Instead of averting danger, the vessel "started to accelerate towards the reef" while still under autopilot control.
The maritime disaster has deeply impacted New Zealand's small naval fleet, which previously consisted of nine vessels. Defense Minister Judith Collins acknowledged the severity of the incident, stating it "really knocked Navy for six" while emphasizing that the force is not avoiding accountability.
The shipwreck now rests about 100 feet underwater on a stable section of reef. Environmental concerns arose due to the vessel carrying 950 tons of diesel fuel, though initial reports indicate the main fuel tanks remain intact. Salvage teams are working carefully to remove the fuel while preventing major spills.
While no lives were lost in the incident, some crew members sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. The case drew additional controversy when social media users targeted the ship's female captain with gender-based criticism, prompting swift condemnation from New Zealand's defense minister.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how overlooking basic operational procedures can lead to catastrophic consequences, even in modern naval operations.