Following the sinking of the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui off the coast of Upolu, Samoa, Defence Minister Judith Collins has publicly condemned the online abuse directed at Commander Yvonne Gray, the ship's captain. Collins described the attacks as 'vile' and 'misogynistic,' asserting that Gray was appointed based on her qualifications and merit rather than her gender [abeabdaf].
The Manawanui sank on October 8, 2024, while conducting a reef survey, but all 75 crew members were safely evacuated. Collins emphasized the need for societal change in attitudes towards women in the military, highlighting that such attacks undermine the progress made in gender equality within the armed forces [abeabdaf].
The ship, valued at NZ$100 million (US$61 million), was 20 years old and previously owned by Norway. A military court of inquiry is set to begin on October 12, 2024, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the reasons for the grounding and subsequent sinking [abeabdaf].
This incident has raised broader concerns regarding the operational readiness of the New Zealand Navy, which is currently facing personnel shortages. The sinking of the Manawanui has not only sparked discussions about naval safety but also about the treatment of women in leadership roles within the military [afc2f52a].