A fire on board the doomed Royal New Zealand Navy ship that sank off the southern coast of Samoa started in the engine room, authorities say. 

Samoan officials have also confirmed that HMNZ Manawanui is leaking oil from three separate locations and that the residual oil is from the service tanks of the vessel, where the engine room is. 

In a statement released last night, the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee said it is working closely with the NZ Defence Force and Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 

“Whilst the leak continues, it is reducing each day,” it said. 

A photo of the HMNZS Manawanui, taken by one of the rescuers on Saturday night (October 5, 2024) off the coast of Upolu, Samoa. Photo / Ark Marine 

“It is believed the majority of the fuel was burnt out and it is the residual oil that is emanating from the sunken vessel. 

“The oil sheens observed on the surface of the ocean has been observed to naturally evaporate and dissipate quickly due to the strong winds in the area,” the committee said. 

Despite that information, there had been no trace of oil contamination washing up onshore - as of yesterday - it said. 

“It is imperative to contain the persisting leakages. Whilst it is reducing, the goal is to stop it as soon as possible.” 

Reports from Samoan authorities conflict with that of Kiwi authorities, however. Deputy Chief of Navy Commodore Andrew Brown told RNZ yesterday there were no oil leaks coming from the vessel and that the oil was contained. 

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HMNZS Manawanui got into trouble last Saturday night after it ran aground on a reef off the southern coast of the island of Upolu and the crew was forced to evacuate. 

The stricken HMNZS Manawanui with smoke coming from it. Photo / Profile Boats 

Samoan police, fire and emergency teams and at least one group of friends made up of divers and boaties helped to get all 75 members of the crew back to shore safely by the early hours of Sunday morning. 

By sunrise that day, large plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the ship. By 9am, the vessel had capsized and sunk. 

5000sq m of reef damaged 

The advisory committee also said it had been in discussions about the removal of the Manawanui’s anchor and three shipping containers still on the reef. The focus was to ensure this was done without causing more damage to the reef. 

Chief executive of Samoa’s Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Fui Tupa’i Mau Simanu, earlier said the vessel’s anchor and the shipwreck itself had caused significant damage to the reef. 

“Assessments show that physical destruction to the reef is approximately 5000 square metres.” 

Meanwhile, there continues to be worry among local villagers, after a tapu - prohibited ban - was put in place at Tafitoala Coast by the Samoan government, as work continues at the shipwreck site. 

Villagers have spoken out about their fears that the sea life will be affected - something they rely heavily on for food and income. 

Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.