HMS Tamar thanked for charging through the sea to reach stricken New Zealand ship

The crew of HMS Tamar have been praised for helping a New Zealand survey and support ship which ran aground and sank off Samoa, endangering the 75 people on board.

His Majesty's New Zealand Ship Manawanui got into difficulties on 5 October, but received assistance from the Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel, which helped with the recovery effort.

"We are... grateful for the support provided by HMS Tamar of the Royal Navy and other partners," said New Zealand Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk.

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HMNZS Manawanui ran into difficulties near the southern coast of the Samoan island of Upolu while conducting a reef survey.

After running aground, she caught fire, listed heavily and 12 hours later was entirely submerged.

The captain of the Manawanui, former Royal Navy officer Yvonne Gray, ordered the crew to evacuate, a decision credited with saving all 75 crew members.

HMS Tamar was notified of the incident and travelled 650 miles at full speed to reach HMNZS Manawanui.

Tamar's crew were familiar with the New Zealand vessel, as they had been welcomed with a traditional Māori ceremony last month when they visited the country.

HMS Tamar's commanding officer, Commander Tom Gell, said: "Manawanui were our host ship during our recent visit to Devonport – we know the team well and have also worked with them previously in Tonga.

"They are our friends and they are highly professional fellow mariners."

He said of the grounding: "The phone call from our headquarters was truly shattering.

"Within one minute we had increased to maximum speed and were charging into the sea to reach them as quickly as possible.

"When we operate at sea, often a long way from help and support, we take a degree of risk.

"This is something that people who volunteer to serve in navies accept."

The crew of HMS Tamar were relieved to learn that all members of Manawanui's crew had abandoned the ship safely.

They reached the wreck on 6 October and began recovery efforts and searching for debris with the help of a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft.

HMS Tamar will remain in support of the diving and recovery operation as long as she is needed.