GEORGE TOWN: Repair works on the Pulau Pinang ferry, which was successfully re-floated last Tuesday, is still ongoing, Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said.
He said the repair team was in the final stages of conducting checks and observation before the ferry is moved to the Tanjung City Marina, here.
The Pulau Pinang ferry, which was partly submerged after water entered it through the holes and filled its engine room, is currently berthed at the Bagan Dalam dockyard in Butterworth.
"We will only be able to know the details after the repair works report is submitted by our repair team and verified by our captain," he told the New Straits Times.
Photos of the 'tilting' Pulau Pinang ferry, which found its way onto social media earlier this month, set tongues wagging.
Many quarters had voiced concerns and questioned the fate of the once-popular iconic car-carrying ferry, which is rich in heritage.
PPC then confirmed that the iconic car-carrying ferry had several holes in it which resulted in water entering and filling its engine room.
The aged Pulau Pinang ferry had not been in operations since the end of 2019. Due to the unavailability of spare parts, and the fact that its engine could no longer be repaired, it was sent to the dockyard on Nov 27, 2019.
PPC had previously called for a Request For Proposal (RFP), and had successfully shortlisted suitable candidates, to turn the Pulau Pinang ferry into a floating museum.
Tan said PPC expected to handover the Pulau Pinang ferry to the successful company next month.
"Before the handover, we will conduct a thorough check again before safely placing the Pulau Pinang ferry at the Tanjung City Marina," he added.