History on the sea: The ‘Pulau Pinang’ floating museum at Tanjung City Marina will be open to the public once the finishing touches are complete. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: After exhaustive efforts to save an old Penang ferry from keeling over last year, it is now ready to be reborn as a floating museum.
Precious artefacts have been placed inside the Pulau Pinang, which is now berthed at Tanjung City Marina and can accommodate 150 visitors at a time.
Curator Siti Faridah Hani Damsi said the museum will be open to the public once the finishing touches are complete.
She said among the features being finalised are interactive exhibits, historical photo galleries and refurbished interiors that reflect the ferry’s original design.
“We are excited to welcome the public to this unique museum, which preserves the legacy of Penang’s iconic ferry service.
“One of the highlights is that visitors will have access to the ferry’s engine room, offering a rare glimpse into the machinery and technology that once powered this historic vessel.
“There will be more attractive items related to the ferry’s history.
“We will hold a roadshow at Queensbay Mall from May 1 to 4 and sell entrance tickets to the public,” she added.
The decommissioned ferry was towed from the Bagan Dalam slipway on the mainland to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in October last year, before being moved to Tanjung City Marina.
Printhero Merchandise (M) Sdn Bhd, a company which specialises in managing souvenir shops at the foothill of Penang Hill, Muzium Negara and Muzium Perak, has been given the responsibility to restore the ferry.
