The Royal New Zealand Navy has lost its first ship to the sea since World War Two, after one of its vessels ran aground off the coast of Samoa. The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist diving and ocean imaging ship,

A New Zealand navy ship carrying 75 crew members and passengers caught fire and sank off Samoa, but all on board are safe, the New Zealand Defence Force said on Sunday. The Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground near the southern coast of Upolu Island in Samoa while conducting a reef survey.

A New Zealand Navy ship has capsized off Samoa after running aground and catching fire. All 75 crew of the HMNZS Manawanui were rescued, with two people taken to hospital. The ship, which is based in Gisborne was conducting a survey. The Royal New Zealand Navy said in a statement the ship was one nautical mile from shore.