Following many days of disparaging remarks about Commander Yvonne Gray’s gender on social media, Minister Judith Collins called on people to “be better.”
The defense minister of New Zealand has slammed “armchair admirals” for their “vile” and “misogynistic” statements made on the internet concerning the female captain of a navy ship that went aground, caught fire, and sank off the coast of Samoa.
On Thursday, Judith Collins told reporters, “Seriously, it’s 2024.” “What in the world is happening here?”
Collins pushed the public to “be better” following several days of remarks made on Commander Yvonne Gray’s gender on social media.
After the ship, one of nine in the nation’s navy, went missing on Sunday, Collins stated that female military personnel had also been the target of verbal abuse on the streets of New Zealand.
About a mile off the shore of Upolu, the most populous island in Samoa, the vessel came aground on the coral it was exploring, forcing all 75 persons on board to be evacuated to safety with only minor injuries.
The catastrophe’s cause is unknown.
Collins stated, “The gender of the ship’s captain, a woman with thirty years of naval experience who on the night made the call to get her people to safety, is the one thing that we already know did not cause it.”
Concerns about a significant gasoline leak
The sinking raised concerns about a significant fuel leak.
The ship was leaking oil from three locations, but according to Samoan officials on Thursday, the amount was decreasing daily and swiftly evaporating because of the strong winds in the vicinity.
According to a statement from the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee, it appeared that the majority of the ship’s fuel had burned out in the fire.
To discuss how to remove the ship’s anchor and three shipping containers from the coral without causing more harm to the delicate marine habitat, officials were scheduled to meet with residents on Thursday.
A military court of investigation into the incident has been established by the government of New Zealand, and it will be presided over by top military officials. On Friday, it will come together for the first time.
Following the sinking, New Zealand’s Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, told reporters that passengers, including civilian scientists and foreign military personnel, had departed the ship in “challenging conditions” and darkness using life boats.
Since then, those on board have taken an aircraft back to New Zealand.
The 20-year-old, specialized diving and hydrographic vessel had previously belonged to Norway before entering service for New Zealand.
The ship was bought for $100 million New Zealand dollars ($61 million Lion), but the military claimed replacement insurance did not cover it.
The defense department has issued warnings over the condition of New Zealand’s aged military gear. In a study from March, the agency called the navy “extremely fragile,” with ships dormant because of staffing shortages.
Five of the eight ships still in service with the navy are active at the moment.
Prior to deployment, HMNZS Manawanui underwent maintenance, according to Golding.
