The Royal New Zealand Navy has lost its first ship to the sea since World War Two after HMNZS Manawanui ran aground off the coast of Samoa. The specialist diving and ocean imaging ship encountered trouble approximately one nautical mile from Upolu island on Saturday night while surveying a reef. The vessel later caught fire and capsized. All 75 people onboard, including the crew, scientists, and foreign military personnel, were evacuated safely to lifeboats and rescued early Sunday morning, according to a statement from New Zealand’s Defence Force.

The cause of the grounding remains unknown and will be investigated. The incident occurred amid rough weather conditions, with strong winds and currents complicating the rescue efforts. Rescuers struggled with swells that pushed life rafts and boats toward nearby reefs, making the situation more challenging. Officials also noted that the area had not been surveyed since 1987.

Those onboard the ship are currently being housed in Samoa and will be flown back to New Zealand. Witnesses reported seeing the vessel heavily listing with smoke rising from it on Sunday morning. By 9 a.m. local time, the ship had sunk beneath the surface.

New Zealand’s Defence Minister, Judith Collins, expressed sorrow over the incident, calling it a “sad day for the Navy.” She praised the professionalism, training, and courage of the crew, emphasizing that their skills helped ensure everyone’s safe evacuation. Eyewitnesses described the ship catching fire shortly before it sank.

HMNZS Manawanui is the first naval vessel New Zealand has lost unintentionally since World War Two, though several ships have been purposefully sunk in the years since, often to create artificial reefs or diving wrecks. Military officials are now focused on salvaging the vessel and minimizing any environmental damage from the sinking.