A search for answers over the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui - off Samoa's southern coast.

The $100 million naval ship was running a survey off the area when it hit a reef on Saturday night.

All 75 people onboard were rescued - it caught fire and sank yesterday morning

Former Defence Minister Ron Mark told Ryan Bridge he's gutted as his team fought hard to bring the refurbished ship from Norway in 2019.

He expects the Court of Inquiry to be very quick.

“They’ll want to ascertain exactly how and why the ship ended up in peril and sinking the way it did.”

LISTEN ABOVE

• HMNZS Manawanui catches fire and listing after it runs aground off the coast of Samoa