KUALA TERENGGANU: Two decommissioned Sipadan Class patrol vessels namely KM Jarak and KM Ligitan have been sunk to serve as artificial reefs within the perimeters of the marine parks near Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian today.
The marine patrol vessel KM Jarak was sunk about one nautical mile off Pulau Redang while KM Ligitan also about one nautical mile off Pulau Perhentian. Both the vessels were sunk in waters 17.2 metres deep.
Director-general of Department of Marine Parks Dr Sukarno Wagiman said the two patrol vessels were decommissioned by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) early this year and were handed over to the Department of Marine Parks in August.
“Apart from serving as artificial reefs, the sunken vessels will become an attraction for divers as it will be transformed into a new habitat and spawning grounds for fish and other marine animals, including corals,” he said.
He said the creation of a new biodiversity platform would also help increase the commercial fish population and benefit fishermen, especially those depending on the resources from the sea for a living.
At the site where the KM Jarak was sunk, marine park personnel and contractors took more than three hours to sink the vessel by pumping in water. The ship had undergone degreasing to ensure that it was free of any oils or substance that could affect marine habitat.
Both KM Jarak and KM Ligitan have served the Royal Malaysian Navy for 46 years and were involved in many security, enforcement and rescue operations before it was handed over to the MMEA in 2005 and decommissioned this year.