>>1350304HMNZS Manawanui sinking: Two people treated in hospital in Samoa, commander praised in rescue effort after NZ Navy ship ran aground
The actions of the commander of the HMNZS Manawanui have been credited with saving lives during a nighttime evacuation in heavy seas and winds on a reef near the southern coast of Upolu in Samoa last night.
The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, said the ship ran aground at 6.46pm and tried unsuccessfully to get off the reef.
It then began to list and at 7.52pm Commander Yvonne Gray decided to evacuate the ship.
Golding said the 75 people on board, including seven citizens on scientific work and four foreign personnel, got on liferafts and tried to move away from the reef so they could be rescued.
Most of the personnel were evacuated from the life rafts onto rescuing ships. But one small boat capsized on the reef, so the personnel walked to land.
“Evacuating a ship at night is an incredibly complicated and difficult task,” Golding said.
Two people sought hospital treatment – one with a dislocated shoulder and one had a hurt back. Another 12-15 people have minor cuts and abrasions.
Golding praised the leadership of the experienced Gray, saying she made the right call to order the evacuation and would have “saved lives”.
