M'sia navy vessel sinks 50km from S'pore after hitting underwater object

A Malaysian navy fast-attack craft sank off the coast of Johor after a suspected collision with an underwater object on Sunday, Aug. 25, The Star reported.

The incident occurred two nautical miles (around 3.74km) southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, on the southeastern tip of the peninsula, which is about 50km from mainland Singapore.

Leak in engine room

The KD Pendekar first detected a leak in the engine room at around noon and then experienced “severe flooding”, the Royal Malaysian Navy said in a statement.

The 43.6m vessel sank at 3:54pm, the navy said.

This was despite the crew’s best efforts to control and stabilise the vessel.

The Malaysian navy said salvage efforts are underway.

All 39 crew safe

All 39 crew members were rescued before the ship went under, with no reported injuries.

They were transferred to the nearby KD Sultan Ismail naval base in Tanjung Pengelih.

Commissioned in 1979

The KD Pendekar was commissioned on Jul. 27, 1979.

The Handalan-class fast attack craft was built by Sweden’s Kalskrona Varvet shipyard.

Such vessels are armed with a main gun, a secondary gun, and anti-ship missiles.

It had been on an operational assignment at the time of the incident.

A special investigation board has been established.

Environmental monitoring teams have also been deployed to the site.

The navy urged the public to refrain from speculation and said it will provide updates from official channels.

Top photos via @NavyLookout X