(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) fast attack craft, KD Pendekar, experienced significant flooding and leakage at 12:00 PM today, at two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, while on duty.
According to a statement released by the RMN today, the leakage is believed to have occurred after the 45 year-old warship collided with an underwater object.
“The leakage, initially detected in the ship’s engine room, spread rapidly and uncontrollably,” the statement from the Strategic Communications Division of the Naval Headquarters said.
“All crew members were successfully rescued after efforts to control the leakage and stabilize the ship were unsuccessful,” it added.
The RMN’s primary focus at this time is to carry out salvage operations to save the ship.
(THE ABOVE VIDEO WAS SOURCED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING)
According to the statement, the RMN will immediately establish a special board of inquiry to determine the cause of the incident.
The RMN also extended its deepest gratitude to the agencies involved for their swift response in providing assistance during the incident.
Among the agencies that promptly provided assistance were the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the surrounding maritime community.
The RMN also advised the public to refrain from speculating about the incident and to refer to official RMN sources for the latest updates and accurate information.
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.
The vessel has an overall length of 43 meters and a width of seven meters.
Previously, the RMN’s fast attack craft was equipped with MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
However, it is uncertain whether the anti-ship missile system is still retained, as reports indicate that the system may have been decommissioned.
Ship Name: KD Pendekar
Pennant Number: 3513
Commissioning Date: August 21, 1979
Length: 43.62 meters
Width: 7.1 meters
Displacement: 2,600 tons
Operational Endurance: 7 days
Main Armament: Bofors 57mm and Bofors 40mm/70
Crew: 40 personnel
— DSA