The sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui, New Zealand's first naval ship lost to the sea since WWII, has sparked significant backlash against sexist remarks directed at its female captain, Commander Yvonne Gray. Defense Minister Judith Collins has firmly stated that the ship did not sink due to the captain's gender, condemning the misogynistic comments from critics, referred to as 'armchair admirals.' The incident, which involved a fire in the engine room and led to a potential oil spill threat near the Samoan coast, has prompted a formal inquiry by the New Zealand Defense Force. Despite concerns about environmental impact, initial reports indicate no evidence of a major fuel spill. The former Royal Navy commander lauded the captain's decision to abandon the ship, which may have saved lives among the 75 personnel onboard.