The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 29, 2025
Today: March 29, 2025

New Zealand Navy ship sank due to human error, inquiry finds

November 29, 2024
Alasdair Pal - Reuters

By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa last month as a result of human error, a government-initiated inquiry found on Friday.

HMNZS Manawanui, the navy's specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, grounded on a reef on the southern side of Samoa, on Oct. 5 while conducting survey operations. All 75 crew members on board survived.

โ€œThe direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship's autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been,โ€ the head of New Zealand's Navy Rear Admiral Gavin Golding said in a statement on Friday.

The crew did not realise the ship remained in autopilot and consequently thought its failure to respond to direction changes was the result of a thruster control failure.

The reasons why the crew failed to notice the error would be part of a wider inquiry expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, Golding said.

A separate disciplinary process into those involved would begin once that inquiry had concluded, he added.

New Zealand's Navy has been struggling with a lack of resources, three of its nine ships already idle due to personnel shortages before the sinking of the Manawanui.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Share This

Popular

Australia|Economy|Election|Health|Political

Australia's Albanese starts election campaign touting healthcare credentials

Australia's Albanese starts election campaign touting healthcare credentials
Australia|Political|Sports|World

Welcome Down Under: Russian-born Daria Kasatkina becomes an Australian citizen

Welcome Down Under: Russian-born Daria Kasatkina becomes an Australian citizen
Australia|Science

Fossilized fish up to 16 million years old found in Australia, with last meal still intact

Fossilized fish up to 16 million years old found in Australia, with last meal still intact
Australia|Environment|World

Vast areas of Australiaโ€™s Queensland under water after โ€˜unprecedentedโ€™ flooding

Vast areas of Australiaโ€™s Queensland under water after โ€˜unprecedentedโ€™ flooding

Australia

Australia|Economy|Health|Lifestyle|World

A remote Australian town seeks a doctor, offering a $400,000 salary and free rent

A remote Australian town seeks a doctor, offering a $400,000 salary and free rent
Australia|Crime|World

Former police officer spared jail over death of 95-year-old Tasered in a nursing home

Former police officer spared jail over death of 95-year-old Tasered in a nursing home
Australia|Economy|Election|Political

Trumpโ€™s trade war, China and cost of living dominate Australia election as campaigning kicks off

Trumpโ€™s trade war, China and cost of living dominate Australia election as campaigning kicks off
Australia|Business|Economy

Star Entertainment's Sydney casino licence suspension extended till September

Star Entertainment's Sydney casino licence suspension extended till September