The New Zealand Defence Force released a statement saying that a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground on the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, on Saturday.

Commodore Shane Arndell of the New Zealand Defence Force's maritime component said that all 78 people aboard the dive and survey vessel HMNZS Manawanui were in life rafts.

He added that an Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft was sent to help with the rescue effort.

He said that the incident occurred while the vessel was performing a survey of the reef.

HMNZS Manawanui, the navy's dive and hydrographic specialist vessel, is used for a variety of specialist diving, survey and salvage tasks around New Zealand, and throughout the South West Pacific.

(source: Reuters)