A Royal Malaysian Navy Ship Completely Sank Off The Coast Of Johor Due To Severe Flooding
A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ship sank after colliding with an underwater object off the coast of Johor on August 25, 2024. All 39 crew members on board were safely evacuated with no casualties.
The ship, named KD Pendekar, developed a leak at around 12 noon. It was first discovered in the engine room. It then spread uncontrollably, causing dangerous flooding.
Despite efforts to stop the leak and stabilize the ship, the situation worsened, causing the 260-ton vessel to sink.
The Royal Malaysian Navy said the collision with the unidentified underwater object occurred two miles southeast of Tanjung PenyuSup.
The RMN has launched a salvage operation to raise the partially sunken ship. And will set up a special investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the leak.
Shipwreck
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, police and local maritime community participated in the rescue efforts.
The public is advised to avoid speculation on the incident and rely on RMN official sources for accurate updates.
Malaysian authorities have also been inspecting warships that are more than 40 years old since the incident.
The KD Pendekar was built at the Karlskrona Varvet shipyard in Sweden and commissioned in 1979. Making it one of the oldest ships in the fleet.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khalid Nudin said that while the age of the ship may not be the main cause of the accident/ the Malaysian Navy is implementing a fleet modernization program.
However, the modernization includes the construction of new littoral combat ships. The first of which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2026. And negotiations to purchase offshore mission ships from Turkey.
