It's two months since the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa — and locals say they can still 'smell the fuel'.
Standing on rocks on the outskirts of his home village of Tafitoala, Samoa , Mr Pili points to the spot where the diesel comes in, at the back of the village, hidden by mangroves.Thursday marks two months to the day since the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui ran aground and sank off the coast of Tafitoala."We can still smell the fuel and even see it come in with the tides.")
But on the ground in Samoa, they are less worried about the cause and more concerned about environmental impacts — and when they can fish again."We are sad because it seems that we are being ignored and no one seems to worry about the sufferings our village is going through."The area surrounding the ship remains an exclusion zone, meaning no one is permitted to fish or swim.
It said there was no evidence of contamination on the shoreline and navy divers and drones were monitoring the situation.AFP: Dave Poole/File"The main fuel tanks accessible for assessment remain intact, and there is no evidence of any leaks from these," a spokesperson said. And local residents say despite letters and pleas, their calls for compensation over loss of revenue and impacts on their livelihoods remain unanswered.
New Zealand Ship Ship Sinking Samoa Ship New Zealand Navy Legal Action
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand navy ship sank off Samoa because autopilot was left on, inquiry findsInterim report into the October disaster blames human error, saying HMNZS Manawanui’s ‘autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been’
Read more »
Crew mistakes caused the sinking of a New Zealand navy ship off Samoan coast, inquiry findsMistakes by members of the crew caused a New Zealand navy ship to plough into a reef off the coast of Samoa, where it caught fire and sank, according to the preliminary findings of a military Court of Inquiry.
Read more »
Interim Report Attributes Human Error to HMNZS Manawanui DisasterNaval divers work on the scene above HMNZS Manawanui, off the coast of Samoa, where the ship caught fire and sank due to autopilot not being disengaged as per the interim report. The ship's crew did not realize the autopilot was engaged, leading to the disaster. All 75 people on board safely evacuated.
Read more »
Colombian Navy uncovers new Australian drug trafficking route after seizing 225 tonnes of cocaineA wood and fibreglass semi-submersible vessel was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean as part of a six-week operation that seized 225 tonnes of cocaine.
Read more »
Lions weigh up rolling dice on Las Vegas fixture for 2029 New Zealand tourAll Blacks have a growing status in the US and a fixture with the British & Irish Lions in Las Vegas or Los Angeles is being considered
Read more »
‘It was carnage’: students describe suspected mass food poisoning at New Zealand universityReports of vomit streaming down windows as more than 100 University of Canterbury students fall ill, with cause of stomach bug being investigated
Read more »