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Fuel recovery underway at wreck of HMNZS Manawanui

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Fuel recovery from the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui began today. (Source: NZDF)

The recovery of fuel from the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui has begun off the coast of Samoa today.

The Navy vessel sank after it ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Upolu and caught fire on October 6 last year. All 75 crew and passengers were safely evacuated.

An interim Court of Inquiry released on November 29 found that the direct cause of the grounding was determined to be a “series of human errors” which meant the ship’s autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been.

Remaining in autopilot resulted in the ship maintaining a course toward land until it grounded and stranded, the report read.

New Zealand salvage companies Pacific 7 Limited and Bay Underwater Services NZ Ltd have been tasked with the removal, recovery and disposal of fuel and other pollutants on board the vessel.

The barge Cronus over the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui off the reef near Upolu Island.
The barge Cronus over the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui off the reef near Upolu Island. (Source: NZDF)

A large quantity of automotive gas, oil, and other pollutants held on board would take a “number of weeks” to remove, said NZDF senior national representative for Operation Resolution Commodore Andrew Brown.

“I can report the salvors’ divers have begun the process of extracting fuel and other pollutants from the ship and transferring it into tank-tainers on the barge. As always, progress is dependent on favourable sea and weather conditions which the salvors monitor daily.”

Brown said the barge would periodically return to Apia to offload and store the contents of the tanks while the Government worked through the disposal processes.

“This stage of the fuel removal process is complex and technical and it is extremely important we do a careful and thorough job. While the salvors’ fuel recovery work is progressing, our NZDF staff continue to support sea water sample collection and monitoring above and around the Manawanui.”

Lockheed Martin Delivers Final Super Hercules to New Zealand Air Force

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The Royal New Zealand Air Force has received the fifth and final C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin as part of a US foreign military sale to replace the service’s C-130H fleet.

It will be operated by the 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, where it will be deployed for moving troops and tactical equipment in support of domestic and overseas missions.

Lockheed handed over the first Super Hercules under the 1.5-billion-dollar ($844.2-million) program in August, the second and third in September, and the fourth in November.

C-130J Super Hercules. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
C-130J Super Hercules planes. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

“The arrival of the fifth Hercules is a significant milestone for the team, who have been working hard to bring all the aircraft home before Christmas – ahead of schedule, on budget and to specification,” New Zealand Capability Delivery Deputy Secretary Sarah Minson stated.

“From the moment the first C-130J arrived in September, the aircraft have been put to work and are already proving their value as a national asset.”

“They have made a number of successful flights to Antarctica, carrying cargo to support the work of the New Zealand and United States scientific research programmes at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. They have also made multiple flights to deliver mission critical supplies and personnel across New Zealand and the Pacific region.”

The completion of Wellington’s Super Hercules systems will be followed by the delivery of a flight simulator to RNZAF Base Auckland in 2025 that will help the fleet’s aircrew prepare for future transport flights.

Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30

The C-130J-30 is a stretched version of Lockheed’s C-130J Super Hercules base hull model, adding 15 feet (5 meters) of length compared to its predecessor’s fuselage.

It is powered by four Rolls-Royce engines with about 4,600 horsepower each for a flight speed of 410 miles (660 kilometers) per hour, an altitude of 26,000 feet (7,925 meters), and a range of 2,100 nautical miles (2,417 miles/3,889 kilometers).

The aircraft can carry up to 128 troops or approximately 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms) of payload.

C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft
C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

Navy reserve unit celebrates 100 years – HMNZS Ngapona

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Reservists, colleagues and sailors past and present celebrated the centenary of Auckland-based reserve unit HMNZS Ngapona over November 22-24.

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04 December, 2024

Events included a pōwhiri at Te Taua Moana, base tours, a Beat the Retreat ceremony and reception at the Navy Museum, and a memorial service at St Christopher’s Chapel.

Ngapona’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Chetan Sawyer said it was an “awesome” weekend, following on from Ngapona’s public-facing highlights of the Whangārei Maritime Festival in October.

“The whole weekend was amazing, but the combined service and ‘end of year function’ was a real highlight of the weekend,” he said. “Everyone was in a really good mood and there was some fantastic humour.”

A particular item of nostalgia was visits to ex-RNZN Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) ‘Paea’, now in private ownership. Ngapona’s divisional coxswain Chief Petty Officer Combat System Specialist Shane Kennedy and relief coxswain Petty Officer Naval Policeman Mike ‘Buck’ Taylor helped crew the boat from Whangārei to a mooring in Bayswater, North Shore where it was made available for viewing.

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According to the Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was established in October 1924, based in Auckland. It was renamed the Auckland Division in 1928, in keeping with the creation of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin Divisions.

In October 1941 all Divisions were renamed as Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. At this point the Divisions were not active; all personnel were mobilised as part of the war effort.

In November 1951, the Division was commissioned as a ship: HMNZS Ngapona. The ship’s name is taken from a Māori proverb relating to the three peaks of Rangitoto. The ship’s badge denotes the kaka, a native bird that was originally found on Rangitoto. The ship’s motto is “we serve together”.

Ngapona moved from its long-time position in St Mary’s Bay in 2007 and is now located in within Devonport Naval Base.

A popular souvenir for the centenary was Ngapona’s Centenary challenge coin. Ngapona’s own Lieutenant Commander Graeme ‘Frosty’ Frost designed the coin based on the ship’s crest. It quickly sold out.