Malaysian Navy Diver Dies During Salvage Ops Of Sunken 50-Year-Old Vessel Near Johor
The Royal Malaysian Navy vessel, KD Pendekar, sank on Sunday, 25 August.
By May Vin Ang — 29 Aug 2024, 11:51 AM
A Royal Malaysia Navy (TLDM) diver died yesterday, 28 August, during a salvage operation of a sunken naval vessel off the coast of Johor
According to the New Straits Times, Leading Seaman I Arman San Hermansa died during the operation to recover sensitive material and critical equipment from the sunken craft.
The area around the sunken vessel is under cordon sanitaire, a secured perimeter, until salvage operations are concluded.
In an earlier statement, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said standard operating procedure calls for all sensitive material, including classified documents, communication and encryption devices, and weapons, to be secured from the sunken vessel so that operational security is not compromised.
It was reported that Arman was with another TLDM diver conducting their second dive at 11am when, upon resurfacing, his dive buddy realised he was missing
An immediate search was launched, but the 28-year-old diver was found dead at around 1pm.
Arman, from Lahad Datu, Sabah, leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old son.
The navy said the officer's body will be sent for a post-mortem at Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor before being transported for burial in Sabah.
"A special board of inquiry has been established to determine the cause of the incident.
"The TLDM will ensure all necessary assistance and support are provided to the family during this difficult time," the navy added.
The TLDM vessel, KD Pendekar, sank on Sunday, 25 August, two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Kota Tinggi
The 50-year-old fast attack craft was believed to have struck an unidentified underwater object, causing a leak that resulted in severe flooding.
All 39 crew members were rescued before the ship was completely submerged, with no injuries reported, the navy said in an earlier statement.
An investigation to identify the cause of the incident is underway.
