Penang Ferry Tilts Again, Inflatable Balloons To The Rescue

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Inflatable balloons that lift and stabilise vessels before leaks are identified and patched will be used to upright an iconic Penang ferry that began tilting earlier this month while being converted into a floating museum. 

The ferry began listing on Oct 6 at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) after being towed from the Bagan Dalam Slipway (BDS), where it had undergone repair and renovation works from July 2021.

Penang Port Commission (SPPP) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said Printhero Merchandise Sdn Bhd (Printhero), which leased the vessel to turn it into a floating museum, has been carrying out remedial works on the ferry since Oct 7.

He said the work could be done only during low tide to prevent the vessel from leaking again. The ferry was uprighted on Oct 15.

However, before the contractor could conduct a thorough check and seal any openings, the vessel tilted again that night as seawater re-entered the engine compartment.

Yeoh added 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, then identify and patch the leaks.

Yeoh said SPPP would constantly monitor the current state of the floating museum ferry and redouble its efforts to ensure the Penang Ferry was successfully realised as a floating museum ferry.

"The ferry will then be moved to the final location of the Penang Ferry Museum at Tanjung City Marina.

"Piling and electrical meter installation at the museum site has been completed, and Printhero will carry out final work at the marina to prepare for the ferry's arrival.

The lease agreement for the floating museum is for 10 years, from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2030.

-- BERNAMA