THE New Zealand navy officer who led the response to the grounding and sinking of a ship off the Samoan coast in 2024 has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
Commodore Andrew Brown has been awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration.
Brown was described as the “strategic interface” between New Zealand and Samoan authorities and other stakeholders as the potential environmental disaster was brought under control.
The Naval dive and hydrographic vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground off Upolu with 75 people on board while surveying a reef October 5, 2024, and sank the next day. No lives were lost.
For five months, Brown coordinated the initial impact assessment, environmental protection, salvage operations, diplomacy, and strategic implications of the sinking.
The final stages of compensation for environmental damage from the incident will take place in the coming weeks.
The citation states that he recognised that the support of the Samoan Government and community was critical in the management of the sinking.
“He facilitated the Samoan-led response with an inclusive approach, engaging with leaders and providing constant progress feedback to Samoan authorities. This resulted in a high degree of trust being placed in New Zealand’s response, in a situation where the local community were concerned about the threat to their environment and livelihoods,’’ the citation read.
“He was Strategic Contract Manager for the NZDF’s oversight of salvage operations, had oversight of the deployed NZDF Task Group, and was a key advisor to the Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee that managed the Samoan national response. Commodore Brown’s leadership and diplomacy within the [Samoan] Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee and support to the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, with development and deployment of a water testing capability, positively influenced the decision to remove the precautionary zone and permit the community to return to fishing in the vicinity.”
Commodore Brown said that he was honoured and humbled to be recognised for his contribution to the response.
He acknowledged the work of New Zealand Defence Force personnel, government agencies, civilian contractors, and Samoan officials during the response
“It was a very challenging and technical operation and there were not many days that I did not call upon my previous years of experience, training, and leadership, so I have many to thank and acknowledge,” he said.
Commodore Brown recently retired from regular service in the Navy but remains a member of the Reserve Force.