(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) 45-year-old fast attack craft, KD Pendekar, has fully sunk at a position two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, at 3:54 PM today, according to an official statement from the RMN this evening.
Salvage operations are currently underway to recover the vessel, but nevertheless, it was a sad end to the warship after 45 years of services to the country.
The swift actions of the maritime community successfully rescued all 39 crew members of KD Pendekar before the ship was completely submerged, with no injuries reported.
“They are now safe and have been relocated to KD Sultan Ismail in Tanjung Pengelih, Johor. RMN assets have been deployed to the scene to monitor the situation and ensure the surrounding area’s safety,” according to a statement issued by the Strategic Communications Division of the Naval Headquarters, RMN.
The public is advised not to disseminate unauthorized information about the incident, and any updates will be provided through official RMN channels.
Earlier, the RMN stated that KD Pendekar began taking on water after suffering a significant leak at 12:00 PM today at a position two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, while on duty.
The leak is believed to have been caused when the 45-year-old warship struck an underwater object.
“The leak, initially detected in the ship’s engine room, spread rapidly and uncontrollably. All crew members were safely evacuated after efforts to contain the leak and stabilize the vessel proved unsuccessful,” the RMN statement read.
The RMN will promptly establish a special investigation board to determine the cause of the incident, while also expressing their gratitude to the agencies involved for their swift response in assisting with the situation.
A Singaporean authority vessel was also spotted at the incident site.
Among the agencies that provided immediate assistance were the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the surrounding maritime community.
KD Pendekar, with the pennant number 3513, was commissioned into RMN service on August 21, 1979, marking its 45th year in service this year. — DSA