A Samoan man said oil from the sunk HMNZS Manawanui was identifiable along the coast for several kilometres which would have a 'massive impact'.
New Zealand 's defence force has launched a formal court of inquiry into the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui, which sank after striking a reef in Samoa 's south.
All 75 onboard — including seven scientists and four non-NZ military personnel — made it to shore in rough seas, which took at least 5 hours during the night.One life raft capsized on the reef, requiring those on board to walk to shore on the reef, where several required medical treatment.It has also launched an urgent clean-up job, and investigation into whether the wreckage can be salvaged from the sea floor.
"That part of the ocean is full of the grass that turtles eat. That's going to have oil all over it for sure."The Manawanui, a specialist hydrographic vessel, was in the region to map the ocean floor in the area for the first time in almost 40 years. Whether the wreckage will be salvaged will depend on how deep it is below the surface, which was being investigated.Acting Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio told a press conference he believed it was "not recoverable".
In 2023, four of the navy's nine vessels were unable to be staffed, which Ms Collins told AAP was a "real concern".
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