KD Pendekar Successfully Salvaged – Royal Malaysian Navy

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) announced tonight that KD Pendekar was successfully salvaged at 4:38 PM on October 12, 2024.

The vessel is now undergoing initial repairs before being handed back to the RMN.

“The salvage operation of KD Pendekar has been largely completed, although there were several challenges,” the statement from RMN’s Strategic Communications Division said.

The site where the vessel sank has been confirmed as safe, with no remaining ammunition or explosives that could pose a threat to the maritime community, particularly those frequently using the waters.

The future of the 45-year-old vessel will be decided in line with the RMN’s “Phasing In – Phasing Out” plan for decommissioning aging vessels, in accordance with the Navy’s 15 to 5 Transformation Plan.

The cause and factors contributing to the sinking of KD Pendekar are still under investigation by a Board of Inquiry.

On August 25, RMN confirmed that KD Pendekar had taken on water and flooded, believed to be the result of a collision with an underwater object while carrying out its duties.

The flooding was first detected in the engine room and quickly became uncontrollable.

However, all 39 crew members were rescued after efforts to contain the leak and stabilize the vessel failed.

A RMN mine diver from the Naval Diving and Mine Warfare Command (MSPPA) lost his life during the salvage operation.

The fallen diver has been identified as Leading Seaman Class I PLM Arman San bin Hermansa.

A special inquiry board has been established to determine the cause of the incident.

The 45-year-old KD Pendekar, a fast-attack craft of the RMN, sank completely at a position two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, at 3:54 PM.

The leak is believed to have occurred when the vessel struck an underwater object.

“The leak, first detected in the engine room, spread rapidly and became uncontrollable. All crew members were rescued after efforts to control the flooding and stabilize the ship failed,” the RMN statement said.

The RMN will immediately form a special board of inquiry to identify the cause of the incident, while also expressing its gratitude to the agencies involved for their swift assistance.

KD Pendekar, with pennant number 3513, was commissioned into RMN service on August 21, 1979, making the fast-attack craft 45 years old this year. — DSA