KUCHING: Two Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) training vessels, KD Gagah Samudera and KD Teguh Samudera, arrived at Pending Port near here yesterday for the Navy Open Day from 9am to 6pm today.
The event is aimed at providing an opportunity to the public to see the two ships up close.
Some 150 members of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will be present during its Open Day being held as part of RMN 85th anniversary celebration.
It will be the second time that KD Gagah Samudera and KD Teguh Samudera are in Kuching since last year.
RMN Executive Officer (Exco) Mohemad Kassrie Kassim in an interview with the media said Pending Port is amongst the toughest and most challenging ports to navigate.
“It basically took us around two hours of precise navigation to dock here. Last year, the response was very encouraging with around 6, 000 visitors,” he said.
He added that during the open day, several activities will be held by RMN members.
“In the open ship, we will introduce activities such as RMN cultural show (West Malaysian Tradition and Culture), Karaoke competition, colouring competition, RMN souvenir booth and more,” he pointed out.
Kassrie added that RMN was trying to introduce the trainees to the navigation of both domestic and international ports.
“This time, RMN is bringing along 101 officers-in-training who were commissioned about two months ago. They are currently following the Sea Adaption Training with RMN.
“The trainees are brought along in this voyage to let them undergo basic training routine at sea and introduction to domestic and international ports,” he said.
Prior to this, the two navy training vessels were in Thailand. The vessels will be docked at Pending Port for three days before continuing their voyage to Johor, Indonesia and Perak.
On the ships’ capabilities, Kassrie said that they are basically training vessels but in terms of engagement, the vessels are capable of supporting fleet in a conflict.
Two Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) training vessels, KD Gagah Samudera and KD Teguh Samudera has arrived yesterday at the Pending Port here for the Navy Open Day today.
Running from 9am to 6pm, the programme aims to provide an opportunity for the public to see the two ships closely.
