PENANG ISLAND AND THE NORTH CHANNEL, NORTHERN STRAIT OF MALACCA

Penang: boating safety

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Penang is an island state on Malaysia's northwest coast, with the port and George Town facing the mainland across the channel. Yachts berth at the small Straits Quay marina on the island's north shore, a stop on passages between Langkawi and the southern Strait of Malacca.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 999
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Malaysia: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Penang Port's Port Marine Operation Control Center (Control Tower) manages traffic in the pilotage compulsory area and responds to marine emergencies. The Marine Department's Penang marine office is at the Batu Uban marina jetty (tel. 04-656 5345).

Penang Port Sdn Bhd · Marine Department Malaysia ▾
penangport.com.my (2026-10-14): “the port handles management of traffic in the Pilotage Compulsory Area and Response to Marine Emergencies conducted by the Port Marine Operation Control Center (Control Tower)”
marine.gov.my (2026-10-14): “04-656 5345 Pejabat Laut Pulau Pinang Dan Marina Jeti Batu Uban Wilayah Utara”

Straits Quay Marina (Tanjung Tokong) works on VHF channel 71; the entrance is at 05°27.5'N 100°18.9'E. It has 40 pontoon berths for boats of 10-25 m; the approach channel and basin are dredged to 3 m below chart datum.

Straits Quay Marina · Straits Quay Marina ▾
straitsquay.com (2026-10-14): “Marina entrance 05deg 27.5min N 100deg 18.9min E. VHF Channel 71.”
straitsquay.com (2026-10-14): “Straits Quay Marina has 40 pontoon berths that can accommodate boats from 10m to 25m in length, with the approach channel and marina basin dredged to three meters below chart datum.”

Weather

MetMalaysia publishes a coastal marine forecast for the waters of Perak, Penang, Perlis and Kedah, and a shipping forecast for the Northern Straits of Melaka.

Malaysian Meteorological Department · Malaysian Meteorological Department ▾
met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Marine Forecast for Waters Perak Penang Perlis & Kedah”
met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “METMalaysia - Marine Forecast for Shipping - Northern Straits of Melaka”

Hospital and medical

Hospital Pulau Pinang, the government hospital in George Town, has an Emergency & Trauma Department open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hospital Pulau Pinang (Ministry of Health Malaysia) ▾
jknpenang.moh.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Jabatan Kecemasan dan Trauma Hospital Pulau Pinang menyediakan perkhidmatan rawatan kecemasan di peringkat primer. Beroperasi 24 jam setiap hari, tujuh hari seminggu.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Penang?

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Penang?

Penang Port's Port Marine Operation Control Center (Control Tower) manages traffic in the pilotage compulsory area and responds to marine emergencies. The Marine Department's Penang marine office is at the Batu Uban marina jetty (tel. 04-656 5345).

Where do I get the marine forecast for Penang?

MetMalaysia publishes a coastal marine forecast for the waters of Perak, Penang, Perlis and Kedah, and a shipping forecast for the Northern Straits of Melaka.

Read before you sail

Person overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerChartering in Malaysia: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Langkawi 57 nmPhuket 183 nmKoh Samui 247 nmSingapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa) 330 nmEl Nido / Palawan PhilippinesBali — Benoa IndonesiaHong Kong (Victoria Harbour & Sai Kung) Hong KongLabuan Bajo / Komodo Indonesia

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