The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) says that all 39 crew members aboard the KD Pendekar were successfully rescued following the fast attack craft’s sinking on Sunday.
According to the RMN, KD Pendekar sank at 3.54 PM off the coast of Johor, two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, after a suspected collision with an undersea object around noon started a leak that was first noticed in the fast attack craft’s engine room.
Successfully rescuing
Damage control efforts to stop the resulting flooding failed, after which the order to abandon the ship was given. None of the crew members were injured in the incident.
The RMN credited nearby ships, the Royal Malaysian Police, and the Malaysian Coast Guard for their role in successfully rescuing the crew ( 39 Crew Members ), who have since been transferred ashore to KD Sultan Ismail in Pengerang, Johor. Following the sinking of the fast attack craft, Navy assets have been deployed to the site of the sinking to monitor the site.
Special investigative
In an earlier statement made before the KD Pendekar sank, the RMN said it would be creating a special investigative board to investigate the incident, with its priority on salvage of the fast attack craft. No comments have been made on how the sinking will affect plans to salvage KD Pendekar.
KD Pendekar, terkandas.
Awaiting detailed incident/accident investigation report. pic.twitter.com/cDibWRoZBT— Kaithi At Sea (@Kay4Kumar) August 25, 2024
On Monday, Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin downplayed whether the age of the 45 year-old fast attack craft could have been a contributing factor, telling reporters “we do not deny that some of our ships are too old, but that may not be the cause. The cause, as was earlier said, is the leak is believed to be from the vessel hitting an underwater object and we are investigating”.
The defense minister added that there were 10 to 15 other RMN ships that are over 40 years old, and that they would be inspected to ensure they were in good condition following the KD Pendekar’s sinking.
KD Pendekar, 1979-2024
The KD Pendekar was one of four Handalan-class fast attack craft in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy and was commissioned in 1979.
All four of the Handalan class were built by Sweden’s Kalskrona shipyard (still operating today under Saab Kockums), and are a modified variant of the Norrköping-class fast attack craft design, powered by diesel engines and equipped with Exocet anti-ship missiles in addition to its main armament of a single 57mm Bofors gun.
Another Handalan-class, the KD Perkasa, was the first Royal Malaysian Navy ship to complete the Obsolescence Programme, being delivered in May 2023 after receiving a total replacement of its hull and propulsion system.
Source : Naval News
