Navy to review seaworthiness SOP and assignment of aged ships

 

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will be reviewing its standard operating procedure (SOP) on the seaworthiness and assignment of old ships.

Chief of Navy Admiral Mohd Reza Mohd Sany (above) in a statement today said this following the sinking of the 35-year-old HTMS Sukhothai of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) on Sunday.

He said a review of the procedure was required to avoid a similar fate befalling the vessels of RMN.

“Considering 58 percent of RMN ships are even older than HTMS Sukhothai, let us pray our ships would not face such incidents.

“Without drastic actions taken by the government in addressing the defence budget issue, the matter of obsolete assets would continue to hamper RMN in the long run,” according to the statement.

Crew members from the capsized HTMS Sukhothai warship receive medical treatment in the Gulf of Thailand

Meanwhile, RMN conveyed its condolences to all RTN personnel over HTMS Sukhothai and hoped the remaining crew members would be found safe.

HTMS Sukhothai which was carrying 105 sailors, developed engine failure and sank about 20 nautical miles from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province at about 11.30pm (local time) on Sunday.

- Bernama