GEORGE TOWN: The iconic Penang ferry, which is currently being modified into the Penang Ferry Museum, will be towed from the Bagan Dalam Slipway to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) tomorrow.
The ferry, which was partially submerged in Bagan Dalam in 2021, is being actively restored for this purpose by Printhero Merchandise Sdn Bhd.
"The iconic ferry is expected to arrive at KTMB Swing Bridge, Butterworth around 1pm and will make a brief stop to wait for the bridge to open.
"At 1.10pm, the ferry towing will resume to dock (temporarily) at the SPCT.
"This iconic ferry has played a significant role in the history of Penang's ferry services," the Penang Ferry Museum said in a statement.
Media personnel and the public are invited to witness the historic moment as it marks the last ferry to cross the KTMB Swing Bridge following the closure of the Bagan Dalam Slipway.
After nearly a century of service, the Penang 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 with a new fleet.
In July this year, the Penang Port Commission (PPC) announced its decision to dispose of the iconic car-carrying ferries promptly, following the capsizing of the Pulau Kapas ferry at the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) terminal.