A Malaysian warship tragically sank in the South China Sea off the country’s southern coast after experiencing “severe flooding” from leaks, as reported by the Royal Malaysian Navy.
The vessel, KD Pendekar, a missile boat equipped with both guns and missiles, began taking on water at midday, about two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop in Johor. It was fully submerged by 3:54 p.m. Thankfully, all 39 crew members were successfully rescued, with no injuries reported. They were relocated to KD Sultan Ismail naval base in Tanjung Pengelih.
Built in Sweden and launched in November 1978, the Pendekar measured 143 feet and had a displacement of 268 tons, boasting versatile firepower for both sea and air engagements.
The South China Sea is a hotspot for maritime disputes, with several countries, including China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, vying for territorial claims.
The Malaysian navy suspects the warship might have collided with an underwater object while on operations, leading to flooding that escalated quickly beyond the crew’s control.
Social media images depicted the chaotic scene as water flooded the vessel and crew members were evacuated. Salvage efforts are ongoing, and a special investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
The Royal Malaysian Navy expressed gratitude toward the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, police, and local maritime community for their swift response and assistance. They also urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident.
Unfortunately, the Pendekar isn’t the first to face difficulties in the South China Sea. In October 2021, the USS Connecticut, a U.S. Navy submarine, ran aground on a seamount, leading to minor injuries among its crew and damage to the vessel’s bow and rudder. The investigation revealed that the grounding resulted from navigational errors and oversights.
After undergoing repairs, the Connecticut returned to service following months of assessments.