The HMNZS Manawanui, aground in Samoa. Photo: Supplied / Profile Boats
Locals in the coastal village of Tafitoala in Samoa are demanding compensation from New Zealand, saying they have lost their livelihood as result of the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.
Up to 200,000 litres of fuel leaked into the sea when the vessel sank off the southern coast of Upolu just over a week ago.
The area around the wreck has been closed off as authorities continue to monitor for potential chemical leaks.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said the priority of the Manawanui salvage operation is to remove all fuel from the ship.
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However, local fisherman Fatu Totua told ABC's Pacific Beat that he has been without a source of income since the ship went down.
"For one day, my son and I would earn $200 from the fish we catch," Totua told Pacific Beat.
"Right now, we don't have the means to earn a living for our family because we depend on the sea."
Samoan's marked White Sunday, a national holiday dedicated to children.
Totua, who has six children, said he did not have the money to celebrate they day and treat his children.
"We haven't bought any white outfits for our children up till now," he said.
Another local, who would normally be showing tourists around the area for water activities, told Pacific Beat that he had to cancel bookings due to the impact of Manawanui sinking.
He believes the New Zealand government should compensate everyone in the area who has lost income because of the location where the vessel sank, according to Pacific Beat's report.
Another surf tour operator in Samoa's south coast told RNZ Pacific his business has taken a hit from the Manawanui incident.
Owner of offshore adventures Brent Ross said food has been coming out of containers which have been attracting sharks.
He said guests were only surfing a spot for 10 minutes before they had to come back on the boat for safety.
Ross said he has considered closing his business down.
The NZDF said based on the size of the diesel sheen on the water, the leak is much less - but it could not give a new figure for how big it might be.
The Defence Force is working with the insurer on the next steps of the process, including timeframes, but is not able to comment at length on the insurance process or potential salvage options, the NZDF spokesperson said.
