New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins has fiercely criticised online trolls for blaming a female naval captain’s gender for the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.
The naval ship ran aground near the Samoan island of Upolu on Saturday night while surveying a reef, later catching fire and capsising. Fortunately, all 75 people on board were rescued safely, according to New Zealand’s Defence Force.
British-born Commander Yvonne Gray, the captain of HMNZS Manawanui, previously served in the UK’s Royal Navy.
In a statement, she expressed her devastation over the incident, calling it her “very worst imagining.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Cdr Gray praised her crew for their professionalism and courage during the emergency.
The cause of the shipwreck is under investigation, and a court of inquiry has been established to determine the sequence of events that led to the sinking. Minister Collins emphasised that gender had nothing to do with the disaster, condemning the “armchair admirals” making unfounded assumptions online.
“The one thing we already know did not cause this incident is the gender of the ship’s captain,” Collins stated.
She further expressed dismay at the trolling directed at women in uniform, saying it was “outrageous behavior” and not representative of New Zealand’s values.
HMNZS Manawanui is the first ship the New Zealand Navy has lost since World War Two. Collins noted that the ship had been operating in an area not surveyed since 1987.
The environmental impact of the sinking is also under scrutiny. Samoa’s Marine Pollution Advisory Committee reported that oil had leaked from three locations on the wreck, though no oil has been found onshore. Some locals, however, have expressed concerns about the potential damage to marine life and ecosystems.
Manu Percival, a resident near the wreck site, told Radio New Zealand that he had seen oil along the coastline, raising fears about the effects on green sea turtles, stingrays, and other wildlife in the region.
New Zealand’s Defence Force has mobilised a team to manage any contamination and clean up debris. Divers from Samoa’s Ministry of Resources and Natural Environment have confirmed damage to the reef.
As the inquiry continues, the incident has sparked broader conversations about gender equality and the treatment of women in leadership. Despite being the first country to grant women the right to vote, New Zealand remains plagued by misogynistic rhetoric, even at the highest levels of public service, as seen during former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s tenure.
Approximately 20% of New Zealand’s defence force personnel are women, and Collins’ defense of their contributions signals a refusal to tolerate sexist narratives surrounding their performance in critical roles.
The inquiry into HMNZS Manawanui’s wreckage will examine both the circumstances of the grounding and the safety protocols followed by the crew. Meanwhile, efforts to minimize environmental damage and investigate the shipwreck’s impact on Samoa’s coastal waters remain a priority.
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