A military inquiry determined that human error caused the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui near Samoa last October. The ship, left on autopilot, struck a reef during a hydrographic survey. Crew believed there was a thruster malfunction, but failed to disengage autopilot, leading to a series of human errors. All 75 crew members were safely evacuated before the ship caught fire and sank. This incident marks New Zealand's first naval loss since World War II, prompting calls for improved training and operational protocols.