BUTTERWORTH: One of the iconic Penang ferries, docked at the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim terminal here, was reported to have capsized early this morning.
The incident appears to have been caused by a broken mooring rope, which snapped under the pressure of strong winds.
Currently, the Penang Port Commission (PPC) is working to refloat the ferry, while firefighters are on scene to manage any potential oil spill into the sea.
Social media has been abuzz with news that the Pulau Kapas iconic ferry began to tilt before it fully capsized about 3am.
The ferry had been docked at the pier for an extended period, and the previous night's strong winds likely caused the mooring rope to break.
PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin confirmed the incident and said, "We will issue an official statement on the matter soon."
After nearly a century of service, Penang's iconic car-carrying ferries ceased operations on Dec 31, 2020.
As of Jan 1, 2021, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which took over the ferry service from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, began operating fast passenger boats between the mainland and the island.
The classic car-carrying ferries were subsequently replaced by a new fleet.