The Royal Malaysian Navy reported that its patrol boat, KD Pendekar, grounded on Stork Reef on August 25, 2024, due to a navigational error.
The 260-ton vessel, commissioned in 1979, was on a routine duty at the peninsula’s southeastern tip, which is known for its strong currents and harsh conditions. The Navy said that the ship diverted from its planned route, leading to the mishap.
During the grounding, the crew of 39 was unable to prevent flooding and had to leave the ship. They were rescued by the Ashley, a nearby commercial ship. After about four hours, the KD Pendekar was lost.
The Navy’s investigation found that the vessel’s age was a key factor in the flooding.
The ship’s “fatigue factor” made it harder to control the flooding due to its weakened hull structure, which increased the flow of water into other compartments.
A salvage operation was launched to recover the ship. However, the Navy stated that the conditions at the site were difficult, with irregular currents and mud reducing visibility to about one foot.
One diver involved in the salvage effort drowned after getting stuck by a safety strap catching on the vessel.
Although the Navy confirmed that all divers were properly trained and followed security protocols, the challenging circumstances eventually led to the diver’s death.
The KD Pendekar was successfully recovered by a private company, with the operation ending on October 15. The ship is currently undergoing technical inspection.
This incident has raised questions about the age of Malaysia’s military equipment.
During a recent parliamentary session, Defense Minister Khaled Nordin revealed that 34 of the navy’s assets are older than 30 years. More than 170 pieces of equipment used by the Malaysian Armed Forces exceed this age limit.
Despite the report, the Defence Minister claimed that the sinking was not exclusively due to the vessel’s age and that one-third of the fleet would be inspected.
He said that the Navy has 10 to 15 ships that are over 40 years old, highlighting the importance of regular fleet readiness and safety inspections.
