KD Pendekar “Deviated from Course, Collided with Stork Reef” – RMN Board of Inquiry

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Board of Inquiry has released its report on the incident involving KD PENDEKAR on August 25, 2024, which led to the sinking of the fast-attack craft.

The 45-year-old vessel sank completely at a position two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, at 3:54 PM on the day of the incident.

The mishap occurred when the vessel experienced a violent jolt followed by severe flooding while approaching the coastline for a technical inspection.

According to the RMN’s statement, the Board of Inquiry identified several factors contributing to the incident:

“1. Navigational Error:
“Based on the vessel’s route logs, KD PENDEKAR deviated from its planned course and struck the Stork Reef (Terumbu Punggai).”

“2. Vessel Aging:
The ship’s age, exceeding 45 years and beyond the recommended service life, compromised its structural integrity. This made flood control difficult, allowing water to spread rapidly to other compartments,” the statement said.

KD PENDEKAR, bearing hull number 3513, was commissioned into RMN service on August 21, 1979.

Salvage operations to recover and refloat the vessel were successfully completed on October 15, 2024, by a local firm, and the ship is now undergoing a technical inspection.

Meanwhile, regarding the death of RMN diver Laskar Kelas I PLM Arman San bin Hermansa during the salvage operation, the statement confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.

“The operating area presented hazardous conditions, with unpredictable currents stirring up seabed silt, reducing visibility to approximately one foot on the day of the incident,” the statement noted.

“This environment posed significant risks to divers, placing them under extreme pressure. When the safety line used by the diver became entangled with the vessel, the diver’s emergency procedures failed, leading to his unfortunate drowning.”

The investigation confirmed that all diving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols were followed prior to the dive.

The diving equipment was inspected and found to be in good working order both before and after the operation, and the diver was certified competent for the task.

The RMN emphasized the seriousness of both incidents, stating, “The safety of personnel and fleet readiness are top priorities for the RMN, ensuring that all RMN members can perform their duties in accordance with established guidelines.”

On October 13, the RMN announced that KD PENDEKAR had been successfully refloated at 1638H on October 12, 2024.

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

“The salvage operation was successfully completed despite encountering several challenges,” the statement said.

“The site of the sinking has been declared safe, with no remaining ammunition or explosive materials that could endanger the maritime community, particularly those frequently using the area,” according to the Strategic Communications Division of the RMN headquarters.

The future of the 45-year-old vessel will be determined in alignment with the RMN’s comprehensive “Phasing In – Phasing Out” plan for decommissioning aging ships, as part of the Navy’s 15-to-5 Transformation Plan. – DSA