Sutera Harbour Marina - Island Ferry Closes Service

The Island Ferry Company operates large passenger ferries, has closed its routes from Sutera Harbour Marina to Mamutic, Manukan and Sapi Island, which now means tourists are forced to use speedboats which are often overloaded, especially when returning from the islands in the afternoon, although the boats in question have seats for more than 12 passengers, they do not comply with the relevant Malaysian Marine Regulations for passenger vessels which require licensed skippers and safety equipment such as fire extinguisher's, flares and marine radios. The Owners of the vessels appear to be flaunting the law with impunity, just this afternoon one speedboat entered Sutera Harbour Marina carrying around 30 people, some of whom were not wearing life jackets. It is going to be a sad day when lives are lost due to negligence.

David Ogden
Yacht Watch Service