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  "description": "Iranian officials confirmed they are now studying the New Zealand model carefully. “If we cannot float the ships,” Admiral Abooat said, “we may simply lean into the scuba tourism angle.”",
  "path": "/iranian-navy-requests-advice-on-ships-as-tourist-attractions/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-09T23:00:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://goodoil.news",
  "tags": [
    "**Big Nigel**",
    "writer’s Facebook page"
  ],
  "textContent": "**Big Nigel**\n _Satire\nWest Coast NZ_\n\nTEHRAN/WELLINGTON – Following reports that several Iranian naval vessels have recently been sent to the bottom of the ocean, Iranian officials have reportedly contacted New Zealand seeking expert guidance on how to “make the most of a perfectly good shipwreck”.\n\nThe request specifically asked for assistance from the crew involved with the HMNZS _Manawanui_ , which sank off Samoa in 2024 after running aground during a reef survey.\n\nIranian naval spokesperson Rear Admiral Amin Abooat said the country is keen to explore “positive opportunities” arising from ships that are now resting permanently on the seabed.\n\n“We understand New Zealand has successfully demonstrated how a modern naval vessel can transition into a thriving underwater attraction,” he said.\n\n“This is the kind of innovation we’re looking for.”\n\nAccording to defence sources, Iranian planners are particularly interested in the “marine reserve approach”, where a destroyed vessel is reframed as an artificial reef and premium scuba-diving location rather than an operational mishap.\n\n“They’ve basically said, ‘If the ship’s already down there, you may as well sell dive tours’,” one Western analyst explained.\n\nEarly proposals reportedly include:\n• “Guided Revolutionary Reef Tours”\n• Underwater missile-shaped coral gardens\n• A souvenir kiosk on the nearest coastline\n\nBack in New Zealand, defence officials declined to comment on the request but confirmed the wreck of the _Manawanui_ now lies roughly 30 metres underwater after the vessel struck a reef and sank during survey operations.\n\nAll 75 people onboard were safely evacuated during the incident, which investigators later attributed to a series of human errors including confusion over the ship’s autopilot system.\n\nReaction on the West Coast has been mixed.\n\nLocal resident Lou Sarsoul said he was impressed the country’s naval mishap had achieved international recognition.\n\n“Look, if Iran wants tips, we’ve clearly got experience,” he said.\n\n“You don’t see many countries accidentally inventing a reef with a $100-million boat.”\n\nMeanwhile fisherman Mike Ockhurtz said the whole situation sounded familiar.\n\n“Typical Kiwi attitude,” he said.“If something breaks, sinks, or falls over – just call it a tourist attraction and move on.”\n\nIranian officials confirmed they are now studying the New Zealand model carefully.\n\n“If we cannot float the ships,” Admiral Abooat said, “we may simply lean into the scuba tourism angle.”\n\nThis article was originally published on the writer’s Facebook page.",
  "title": "Iranian Navy Requests Advice on Ships as Tourist Attractions",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-09T23:00:20.668Z"
}