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Operation Resolution

New Zealand Defence Force

13 December 2024

Update: 2.22pm NZDT

The latest update on the HMNZS Manawanui response.

• NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown said, "Today is a key milestone in Operation Resolution with the arrival into Apia, Samoa, of the salvors' tug and barge contracted by NZDF to remove the fuel and other pollutants from HMNZS Manawanui."
• On board the barge is equipment required for the fuel removal including the work boats, pumping gear, diving equipment, mooring and anchoring systems, and the 'tank tainers' required for the recovered fuel and other pollutants.
• Over the next few days and once clearing customs, the salvors will be completing engineering configuration changes and equipment preparation in port in Apia. This work is essential to the removal process and once completed the barge will be towed to the location of the HMNZS Manawanui on the south west coast.
• Simultaneous to the barge work, the salvors will survey to confirm locations for the barge's anchoring installations. Commodore Brown said, "The underwater anchoring installations are critical to this phase of the operation. They must be able to secure the barge in place over Manawanui in a range of sea states during the fuel removal process while at the same time ensuring the reef and seabed are protected."
• Once the barge is in place and site and equipment preparations are complete, work will commence on the fuel removal.
• Commodore Brown said, "This response is complex and technical, and it's extremely important we do a careful and thorough job. How long things take will be very dependent on factors such as weather and sea conditions."
• "As we move into this next phase of the operation, the focus is on enabling the fuel removal process, continuing technical monitoring, surveillance and continuing to do everything we can to mitigate any possible impacts on the environment. Our people working on the ground and our Navy dive team (from HMNZS Matataua) have specific skillsets aligned with this phase of the operation."
• Commodore Brown said, "We know how important the coastal and marine environments are to the people of Samoa, especially those on the south west coast of Upolu. This is why the removal of fuel and other pollutants from the Manawanui is so important.
• "While the recovery efforts will take time, New Zealand is absolutely committed to doing the right thing and will continue to provide regular updates on the progress we're making."