It has been revealed that the HMNZS Manawanui wreckage would not be removed from its resting place outside Tafitoala on the South Coast of Upolu in Samoa. The New Zealand navy ship sank on the morning of 6 October 2024, after hitting a reef the previous evening. The government has plans to leave the ship where it is as this could be an opportunity to increase tourism activity by promoting it as a dive site. The ship lies just off the reef at Tafitoala at a depth of 35 metres. This makes an idyllic diving spot. New Zealand’s Minister for Defence Judith Collins says the Samoan Government wants the Manawanui wreck to remain off the coast despite ongoing concerns about residual oil slicks and pollution. The ship ran aground on a coral reef during survey operations in October. Collins says most of the oil has been removed, and the wreck could eventually become a tourist attraction. “The Samoan government has decided it wants it to stay where it is. It suits the government for that to happen; it’ll become a great part of the reef, and it’ll be probably an excellent diving spot at some stage,” said Collins. The Samoa Conservation Society has backed the idea provided all environmental hazards are removed. “As long as all the oil and any other toxins are removed from the hull and the boat is stable and won’t move around in storms then it will be a good addition to reef life and a good dive site for Samoa. Corals will grow up on the wreck very fast and it will be claimed by nature, so I am for it,” said SCS president James Atherton. Owners of the Sina PJ Beach Fales in Tafitoala have also welcomed the idea. For them, this would mean an increase in business. The operation is still at a standstill. The business is based on surf operations but the area where surfing takes place is inside the restricted two-kilometre zone to safeguard the salvage works that is being currently carried out. Last month, the fishing village of Safata reported continued fuel odours in the region, despite the precautionary ban being lifted, allowing villagers to resume fishing near the disaster site. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has also given $50,000 (US$17,810) to the Safata District to be used to help families whose livelihood had been affected by the fishing ban. Meanwhile, Fuel and toxins may still be on board the sunken HMNZS Manawanui as the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) claims the salvage company has completed their work. According to NZDF, over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel mixed with seawater has been removed with only just over 300,000 litres of usable diesel fuel extracted. Another 45,000 litres of liquid including waste oils and diesel fuel/seawater has also been removed and will be returned to New Zealand and processed for safe disposal. Final amounts would be confirmed once assessments are complete. When the sink sank, it was reported that the Manawanui was carrying more 900,000 litres of diesel and the leakage was estimated to be around 200,000 litres. NZDF’s Commodore Andrew Brown said the objective at the start of this work was to remove as much of the fuel and other pollutants on board as possible and this had been achieved. He said the salvors using their considerable knowledge and expertise reached and checked all tanks and in some cases compartments, and other locations that could contain diesel fuel, oil and other pollutants. In total 55 tanks or compartments were reached and checked. Ten tanks were not accessed as they were known to be either empty or not to contain pollutants. A total of 284 dives were made, with typically two divers for each dive. “This was some of the most challenging diving operations – accessing the ship’s hardest-to-reach tanks – those at the very bottom of where Manawanui lays on its side. As liquids have been extracted, tanks have been sealed,” Commodore Brown said. “The recovery work has given us a clearer picture of the damage sustained to tanks during the grounding. We know diesel fuel escaped through damaged tanks and pipes. Some were consumed in the substantial fire on board before the ship sank. Our Navy divers also worked hard to contain and capture ongoing leaks. “Continuous environmental monitoring has shown earlier diesel fuel that did escape to sea, dissipated relatively rapidly, evaporating from wind and wave action, as this type of light diesel fuel is known to do. This was also confirmed by an independent international assessment.” NZDF said there may be small amounts of residual diesel fuel remaining somewhere in the vessel but were confident the salvors had been extremely careful and thorough, checking tanks and in some cases compartments and other locations that could contain diesel fuel, oil and other pollutants. “Regular testing by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has reported consistently low hydrocarbons and confirmed the seawater and marine life in this area are clear and uncontaminated. As a result, the precautionary zone in the area that carried a warning on fishing was reduced and then removed – a very welcome outcome for local communities,” said Commodore Brown. “Significant efforts have got us to this stage and the work doesn’t stop here. The salvors have turned now to the removal of equipment, weapons, ammunition and debris from in and around the ship and then making it secure.” “Our priority continues to be to minimise any possible environmental impacts, and to do a careful and thorough job. As I have always said, this Operation will take time, but we are committed to doing the right thing, said Commodore Brown.