Despite salvage work wrapping up for the HMNZS Manawanui, the two-kilometre prohibition still stands, said the New Zealand Defence Force.

The New Zealand navy ship sank off the coast of Tafitoala in October last year, spilling more than 200,000 litres of diesel into the ocean. This led to a fishing restriction lasting five months affecting nine villages in the Safata district, whose livelihood was fishing.

NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown said the NZDF reached an important stage in the Manawanui response.

The NZDF has now shifted its focus to the next steps for Manawanui. They await the draft independent wreck assessment for the New Zealand agencies' review. Expert studies of the reef and environment in the vicinity of Manawanui will inform and sit alongside this assessment.

These studies will provide valuable advice to inform government decisions, and the experts must take the time to be careful and thorough.

“Until a decision is reached on next steps for the ship, and the work required for that begins, every effort has been taken to leave the Manawanui as safe and secure as possible. For safety reasons, the Government of Samoa’s Prohibited Area of two km around Manawanui remains in place,” Commodore Brown said.

“Directed by the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee working group chair to carry on regular monitoring to provide a level of assurance to the community, the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa reports have continued to show the seawater in the area clear and uncontaminated from elevated hydrocarbons.”

The salvors’ barge is returning to New Zealand from Samoa and commencing demobilization.

“On board was the equipment and debris from in and around HMNZS Manawanui that could not be repurposed, along with tanktainers containing the unusable diesel fuel, oil, seawater mix. These will be processed for safe disposal,” Commodore Brown said.

“In the final days during the recovery work, the salvors carefully lifted the azipod that detached from the ship in the grounding, and the 3.3 tonne anchors with their chains, onto the barge for transport back to New Zealand.

“It was a delicate operation to ensure the least impact was made on the surrounding environment, and to remove any potential risk during a significant weather event. The NZDF will take custody of these from the salvors.”