Ferry which caught fire to be handed over to Thailand

Ferry which caught fire to be handed over to Thailand
Published: Friday December 5, 2008

LANGKAWI: A passenger ferry, the “Southern 1”, which experienced engine problems and caught fire in waters off Penarak, about five nautical miles from the Kuah jetty here on Thursday, will be handed over to Thai authorities for further investigations.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Langkawi enforcement chief Captain Abdul Rahim Abdullah on Friday said that the Marine Department would hand over the ferry, which had been towed to a dock here, to the Thai authorities because it was registered in Thailand.

In Friday’s 3.45pm incident, 67 passengers, including eight crew members, had a narrow escape when the ferry caught fire in the middle of the sea.

The ferry, en route to Langkawi from Satun, Thailand, was carrying 59 passengers, including tourists from Britain, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada and Thailand. - Bernama

thestar.com.my