KUALA LUMPUR: The Asia Pacific Submarine Conference (APSC2024) held in Kota Kinabalu is aimed at discussing aspects of submarine escape and rescue (SMER).
On top of that, the Royal Malaysian Navy said the conference, which was launched by Navy chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain, also focused on fostering cooperation on submarine rescue among countries in the region as well as others in Asia-Pacific.
"The three-day conference, which started on Sept 30, is themed “Uniting Efforts for Safety”.
"It is the second conference hosted by the Submarine Forces Base after the first in 2014," the navy said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 2).
The conference also showcased the availability of submarine operations and fast response towards submarine rescue operations.
"APSC is an initiative from the Commander, Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) in 2001," it said.
A total of 41 participants from 16 countries and three external organisations were involved in the conference.
Among the countries and eternal agencies involved were the United States, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Brunei, China, Columbia, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, France, Singapore, Thailand, Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) and International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO).
"Several local agencies were also involved in the conference, including the National Security Council, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
"The navy will continue to be involved in the conference in the future to foster close cooperation and information sharing in discussing the latest safety aspects involving submarines and ensuring the navy's submarines could be operated safely," it said.
