Decommissioned Submarine Is New Melaka Tourism Draw

By Azmi Abdul Malek MELAKA (Malaysia), April 17 (Bernama) -- Melaka now has a new tourist attraction, a decommissioned submarine, which is expected to draw more tourists to the Maritime Museum located at Dataran 1Malaysia here in Klebang. The decommissioned underseas vessel 'SMD Quessant' was handed over by Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam at a ceremony held at the Klebang Maritime Museum Complex. The Agosta 70 Class submarine was built by France's Arsenal de Cherbourg in 1978 and was operated by the French Navy until it was decommissioned in 2001. The vessel is part of a package in which the Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) acquired two Scorpene submarines from France. TOURISM DESTINATION In his speech, Ahmad Zahid said Melaka has been acknowledged worldwide as a historical city, as well as a destination for tourists. "This is in line with the slogan that when you visit Melaka, it means you also visit Malaysia," he said at the ceremony. Ahmad Zahid further said the decommissioned submarine may merely appear to be an old 'museum piece', but thousands of local residents and foreigners have come to experience for themselves what it was like to be 'confined' in a submarine. "So far, many have only been exposed to this experience through the print and electronic media," he said during the event, held at the Klebang Tourism Complex here. According to Ahmad Zahid, the SMD Quessant was used for training RMN conventional submarine personnel from 2005 until 2009. TRAINING Under the 'Project Ouessant Malaysia' the training of 156 RMN submarine crew using the SMD Ouessant ended in 2009. This was the last training stint for SMD Ouessant. This conventional submarine was refurbished for training purposes during work which began in 2003 and was completed in 2005. It was used for training at sea from Nov 21, 2005 until July 9, 2009. The SMD Ouessant Agosta 70 was built in 1978. It measures 67.57 metres in length, 11.75 metres in height and 6.5 metres in width. Ahmad Zahid said the submarine was brought from its base in Brest, France. It began its journey on Oct 7, 2011 and reached the Melaka waters on Nov 12 last year. "SMD Ouessant has its own unique history, as it is the first submarine used to train Malaysian submarine personnel," said the Defence Minister. PART OF RMN HISTORY Ahmad Zahid added that the Defence Ministry saw the SMD Ouessant as part of RMN history that needs to be maintained for the benefit of future generations. Hence, the Defence Ministry believed that the Maritime Museum in Klebang, Melaka was the ideal 'resting place' for the decommissioned vessel. "I am confident that the SMD Ouessant will become a new tourism icon for Melaka and be one of the monuments that deserve to be visited by tourists," he said. Melaka now has 24 museums under the supervision of the Melaka Museum Corporation, including the Maritime Museum, which is the latest addition to the list of museums in the state. Further, Ahmad Zahid expressed his hope that by visiting the Maritime Museum, the interest in joining the military, particularly the navy, will be heightened among the youths of today, adding that the decommissioned submarine not only has commercial value, but also 'historical value' for the tourism industry in Melaka and the country. HONOUR FOR MELAKA Meanwhile, in his speech at the ceremony, Mohd Ali said the contribution of the decommissioned submarine by the RMN was an honour accorded to the Melaka State Government. "This is a recognition for Melaka's tourism industry," he said. Mohd Ali noted that the Melaka Maritime Museum, the first of its kind in the country, was established not only to showcase historical maritime artifacts, but also for research and education. "The presence of the SMD Ouessant will focus on the development of submarine history in Malaysia," he said. Also on display at the Maritime Museum are artifacts and objects related to the submarine, such as a diorama, models, audio-visual gear, paintings, as well as clothing worn by RMN personnel during training on the SMD Quessant. -- BERNAMA