RMN launches newly-leased hydrographic survey vessel

KOTA KINABALU: MV Dayang Sari, the newly-leased hydrographic survey vessel of the Royal Malaysian Navy, can survey seabeds up to a depth of 3,000m, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) said here today.
It said in a statement that the vessel, launched on July 10 at the Kota Kinabalu RMN base, replaces the previous hydrographic vessel, MV Aishah 4.
The new vessel was necessary because hydrographic surveys in Sabah waters require a larger and more stable vessel, it added.
The MV Dayang Sari, which is equipped with a medium-depth multi-beam echo sounder, was launched by Eastern Fleet commander Vice Admiral Datuk Syed Zahiruddin Putra Syed Osman.
At the launch, he said hydrographic surveys were necessary for navigational safety in the waters of Sabah and Sarawak in line with the deployment of more RMN vessels there following the establishment of the Eastern Fleet Command on April 27.
He said hydrographic surveys could help generate the marine resources economy of Sabah and Sarawak and were proof of the government's concern over the security of the waters there. — Bernama