Pulau Pinang (Malaysia)

Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia by the strait of Malacca.
It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south.

Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. It is composed of two parts - Penang Island, where the seat of government is, and Seberang Perai (formerly, and occasionally Province Wellesley) on the Malay Peninsula.

The island of Pulau Pinang is separated from the mainland by a strait 1.5 to 7 miles wide, which affords sheltered anchorage.
The N part of Pulau Pinang is mountainous, and through the center of the island runs a range of hills, declining in height as it approaches the SW extremity.
Western Hill, the highest point of the island, is 834m high, a short distance to the E is Government Hill. The W side of the island is low and wooded.
The N side of Pulau Pinang is much indented, except near its NE extremity, and is fringed by a shoal area with depths of less than 5.5m extending as far as 2 miles offshore.

If you are already cleared into Malaysia, the standard procedure is to check in with Jabatan Laut [Marine Department of the Ministry of Transport] and to check out with Jabatan Laut and Royal Malaysian Customs.

Jabatan Laut is in the Wisma Laut [Marine House], with entrances in both Lebuh Light and Lebuh Union. Customs officers, located in Swettenham Pier, issue the Port Clearances. Enter Swettenham Pier via the vehicular gate (not the building) and tell the guard that you need to clear out your yacht with Customs.

If you are coming or going internationally (eg direct to or from Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia), you also need to check in or out with Immigration. The relevant office operates 24 hours a day and is in the old Immigration Building at the corner of Lebuh Pantai and Lebuh Light; enter the building by the door marked ‘Bahagian Perkapalan’ [Shipping Division]. For visa extensions, visit the new Immigration Building across the channel, in Seberang Prai.

When checking in and out, carry ship’s papers, passports, crew lists, and forms including Port Clearances from previous Malaysian ports.

Remember, in Malaysia, you must carry your passport at all times. A photocopy does not satisfy the legal requirements.

Penang is justly famed among cruisers for its medical services, superb food and provisions, developed retail sector, and its multicultural and friendly population. Services catering specifically to cruisers are sparse, but many services are available in the well developed industrial and commercial environment for those who seek them.

Three anchorages and two public marinas are popular with cruisers.

If arriving from the south, you can travel the Western Channel (between Pulau Pinang and Pulau Jerjak) to the Seagate Anchorage or the Marina Batu Uban. Or use the Main Channel (under the Penang Bridge), to reach the Tanjong City Marina or the Junk Anchorage.

Arriving from the north, the Tanjong City Marina, Junk Anchorage, and E-Gate Anchorage are handy. Or you could continue along the Main Channel, under the bridge, and round Pulau Jerjak to the Western Channel and Seagate Anchorage or Marina Batu Uban.