KUALA PERLIS, Sept 16 — A ferry that ran aground after hitting a sandbank while carrying 567 passengers from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi at 2.30pm today has safely continued its trip to Langkawi tonight.
Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd general manager Baharin Baharom said the ferry was freed after being towed by a tugboat and declared safe to continue its journey to Langkawi at 9.05pm.
“When the tugboat was trying to tow the ferry, it was high tide and all passengers were in good condition. No one experienced any shortness of breath. We also gave food and drinks to the passengers,” he said in a statement tonight.
Bernama earlier reported a ferry carrying 567 passengers from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi was run aground due to strong winds at 0.5 nautical miles off Kuala Perlis today.
Baharin said the ferry was pushed towards the sandbank 15 minutes after departing the Kuala Perlis Jetty Terminal.
He said three ferries from Langkawi to Kuala Perlis at 8pm, 8.05pm and 8.30pm continued as usual, involving 1,547 passengers.
“Likewise, the ferries from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah at 7.30pm and 7.35pm this evening, which carried 1,300 passengers in total, were successfully moved to Kuala Kedah,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone director Mohd Hashim Mat Zain said officers were sent to the scene at 5.30pm to provide assistance and monitor the situation.
“All passengers are safe and there were no casualties,” he said.
— Bernama
