New Zealand navy ship sinks after crew errors during stormy conditions

A military inquiry has revealed that the HMNZS Manawanui sank due to crew errors, including not realizing the ship was on autopilot. The vessel hit a reef near Samoa on October 5, leading to a dangerous evacuation of its 75 crew members. The ship, valued at NZ$147 million, caught fire and sank the following morning. The inquiry, ordered by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding, is ongoing and will continue into 2025. Golding has taken responsibility for the incident and initiated audits of the navy's fleet. Prime Minister Chris Luxon has apologized to Samoa and arranged for a salvage operation. The New Zealand navy is facing challenges, with several ships grounded due to attrition and budget cuts.