AI OVERVIEW: KD MUTIARA (1985-1986)

Based on the information available to me from the context, I can provide the following details about the KD Mutiara:

Type and Role: The KD Mutiara was a Hydrographic Survey Ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), indicated by its pennant number A255. Its primary function was to carry out offshore and inshore hydrographic surveys, harbour and river surveys, and limited oceanographic observations, especially for operation in the tropics.

Construction and Commission:

• It was built locally in Penang by the Hong Leong-Lürssen Shipyard Berhad (also referred to as Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard), Butterworth, Malaysia.
• Construction started towards the end of 1975.
• The vessel was launched on November 13, 1976.
• It was officially accepted and commissioned into service in the RMN on December 18, 1977.
• Its first commanding officer was Commander Goh Siew Chong TLDM N/400157.

Specifications (as provided in a 2020 RMN source):

• Length: 71 meters
• Width/Beam: 13 meters
• Displacement: 2,515 tonnes
• Main Machinery: 2 x Deutz SBA 12M 528 (Diesel)
• Speed/Range: Capable of a minimum endurance of 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 16 knots.
• Armament: 4 Oerlikon 20 mm (twin)

Service History Highlights:

• It served as the head of the squadron for the 36th Hydrographic Squadron.
• It performed 146 hydrographic orders, covering a measurement area of 68,598 sq.km in Malaysian waters, contributing to the publishing of 51 Nautical Charts and 52 Electronic Signage Chart Cells.
• It recorded cruising for about 233,167.43 km, equivalent to circling the world six times.
• It was involved in search and rescue missions, including the search for flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean (2014) and locating the sunken tugboat YTC M5 off Kuantan (2014).

Decommissioning:

• The KD Mutiara was officially decommissioned on July 20, 2018, after 41 years of service.
• The decommissioning was due to its outdated technology and high maintenance costs.
• It was stated that the ship would be disposed of and would not be turned into a museum ship, as KD Hang Tuah already serves that purpose.

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5/12/2025: 11.49 A.M