GEORGE TOWN: One of Penang's iconic ferries, which began to list this past week, is now out of danger.
The 'Pulau Pinang' ferry, which is supposed to be transformed into the Penang Ferry Museum, partially tilted at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on Oct 6.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said he had inspected the ferry at the dock today to learn more about its progress from Printhero Merchandise, the company responsible for the project.
"Last night, those involved used their manpower and boats to push the ferry to the dock during high tide, allowing it to rely on the pier for stability.
"It can be said that it is out of danger," he said in a Facebook post.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had expressed hope that the company responsible for the project could save the ferry.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said Printhero, through its appointed contractor, had been carrying out rescue operations on the ferry since Oct 7.
The work involved pumping water to identify the source of the leak and patching up holes on the hull identified by the diving team.
He said the work could be done only during low tide.
Yeoh said the ferry was uprighted on Oct 15.
However, due to time constraints on the contractor to conduct a thorough inspection and seal any openings, the ferry tilted again the same night as seawater re-entered the engine compartment.
He said that on Oct 16, rescue equipment, such as pumps and hoses, was removed from the ferry to prevent them from being swept away during high tide.
"Printhero is considering using inflatable balloons to lift and stabilise the ferry, followed by identifying and patching up the leaks.
"The ferry will then be moved to the final location of the Penang Ferry Museum at Tanjung City Marina.
"Piling and electrical metre installation at the museum site have been completed, and Printhero will carry out final work at the marina to prepare for the ferry's arrival.
"PPC will monitor the status of the Penang Ferry Museum and intensify efforts to ensure that the 'Pulau Pinang' ferry is realised as the Penang Ferry Museum."