The Royal Malaysian Navy’s report on the sinking of the KD Pendekar released today, attributed the incident to a navigational error and the ship’s age. According to the report, the KD Pendekar veered off its planned route and collided with Stork Reef. At over 45 years old, the vessel’s structural integrity had deteriorated, compromising its ability to contain flooding which allowed water to spread quickly between compartments.
The report also covered the tragic death of Leading Seaman I Arman San Hermansa, 28, who drowned during the salvage operation on August 28 due to strong currents and poor visibility which caused his safety line to entangle with the wreck. Despite emergency protocols, the diver could not be rescued in time. The RMN confirmed that safety protocols and standard operating procedures were correctly followed, the equipment functioned as expected and the diver was qualified for the task.
Following the incident, salvage operations led by a local firm were successfully completed on October 15 and the KD Pendekar is now undergoing technical inspections. The RMN emphasized its commitment to personnel safety and operational readiness, noting that the investigation’s findings would inform improvements to safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.
The KD Pendekar sank on August 25, about two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop in Kota Tinggi during a routine patrol. All 39 crew members were safely evacuated to the commercial vessel MV Ashley without injuries. The Navy has stated it is prioritizing the safety of its personnel and adherence to operational guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for all members.
