RMN committed to help manage listing vessel in Lumut

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is committed to assist a company in charge of managing the vessel formerly known as 'KD Rahmat', whose leaking hull is causing it to list near the Marina Waterfront near here yesterday.

RMN Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Seri Mohamad Roslan Mohamad Ramli said since 11.30 morning on Sunday, navy personnel worked to pump water out of the ship, currently known as 'Ex-KD Rahmat', adding that the operation was ongoing.

"Navy personnel will take turns pumping out water from the ship for 24 hours non-stop until it is completed because the vessel once served with us, and our efforts are showing some improvement," he told reporters here Sunday.

On Saturday, the vessel sprung a leak about 3am and this caused the ship to list. The image went viral on Facebook.

The decommissioned vessel docked on the Lumut beach and was turned into a museum or an exhibition boat since 2011 but was closed last August for safety reasons.

Mohamad Roslan said apart from the navy, the state government and the Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd offered help to prevent the vessel from sinking.

-- BERNAMA