Artificial Reef in Tioman

Former navy vessel sunk in 40-minute operation in Tioman Island

KD Sri Sarawak - a ex-naval vessel was sunk during a 40-minute operation at an artificial reef and diving spot off Pulau Tioman here recently.

The ship, measuring 31m in length and 7m in width, submerged at the depth of 35m from the sea base in Sawadi diving spot off the Marine Park and Kampung Tekek beach.

It was commissioned 1964 and after 48 years of service it was re-activated with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2005 and was renamed as KM Sipadan.

The vessel was then given to the Marine Parks Department to be turned into an artificial reef for marine life to thrive in the resort island.

Sinking: The forward section of the KM Sipadan war ship sinking at the Sawadi diving spot off Kampong Tekek in Pulau Tioman, Rompin. 

The department’s director-general Dr Sukarno Wagiman said the sinking of KM Sipadan was done for the first time despite other artificial reefs. 

He added that the ship was no longer suitable for the agency’s operations and instead of leaving it idle, it was more practical to be used as a reef for the marine park to manage and conserve marine bio-diversity in the area. KM Sipadan was cleaned of oil and grease patches prior to the exercise. 

“We removed the components the ship including its engine, generators, air-condition, armament and doors. “Some parts of the body were cut to the shape of a door for easier access for divers to go in and out,” Dr Sukarno said. 

The ship was towed by a tug boat from Kuantan to the marine park. Pulau Tioman, added Dr Sukarno, is a popular destination which is recognised as Malaysia’s mega bio-diversity hub. 

There are nine clustered islands such as Pulau Seri Buat, Pulau Renggis, Pulau Tulai and Pulau Tokong Berhala covering 67,661ha and gazetted as marine park in 1994. 

“It is estimated that there are some 221 species of reefs, 53 species of macro-invertebrata, eight species of sea cucumbers and 233 species of fishes. 

“We have also gazetted a two nautical miles from the beaches as the marine life conservation area,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~