
(DailyChive.com) – Officials are looking into how a captain with no prior experience leading a vessel. To make matters even more controversial, the captain, Yvonne Gray, is a lesbian, and some critics are claiming her appointment was more about diversity than merit. This incident marks New Zealand’s first naval loss since World War II, and it’s sparked plenty of debate online.
The disaster unfolded on Saturday night, when Captain Gray ordered the crew to abandon the HMNZS Manawanui after it struck a reef in waters south of Samoa. Thankfully, all 75 crew members were rescued, and no one was hurt. However, an oil spill is now spreading along the coastline, adding an environmental problem to an already tense situation.
Critics on social media were quick to point out Captain Gray’s lack of experience commanding ships. Many noted that she herself admitted her move to New Zealand was part of a plan to live in the country. In a 2022 interview, Gray said she and her wife fell in love with New Zealand during a campervan holiday and decided joining the navy would be their ticket to moving there. This, according to her critics, suggests her motives for joining the Navy might not have been entirely professional.
Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding defended Captain Gray’s decision to evacuate the ship, saying that abandoning a vessel at night is a dangerous task, but she made the right call.
Even so, the critics haven’t let up. Some are suggesting that Captain Gray was hired simply to meet diversity quotas, and they blame this hiring decision for the shipwreck. One angry commentator said, “You don’t start learning to command ships on a $100 million vessel.” Another accused Gray of causing an environmental disaster despite being part of a group that often talks about protecting the environment.
It remains to be seen how this investigation will unfold, but it’s clear the fallout from this shipwreck is just beginning.
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