Nautique Jan-Feb 2017_FAview

SEEN & HEARD
Straits Quay Marina is part of
a larger retail and residential
complex in Gurney Bay
E&O’s Boutique
M arina Pearl
ABA Reciprocals - Straits Quay
By Bruce Maxwell
The writer published Asia-Pacific Boating for 25
years until selling equity in 2001. Since then
he has written for many boating and lifestyle
titles, as well as handling custom books and
consultancies. This is the fifth feature in a
series that looks at our 13-member Aseanarean
Bluewater Alliance reciprocal marinas.
in
Penang
John Ferguson, the Marina Manager
at Straits Quay on Penang’s NE
Coast, between historic George
Town and the beaches of Batu
Ferringhi, is a familiar figure to
most yachtsmen who ply the Malacca
Straits. He had the same role at
Royal Selangor Yacht Club for many
years, and is an éminence grise
of the island-hopping Raja Muda
Regatta, which celebrated its 25th
edition in 2014.
NAUTIQUE NAUTIQUE JAN/FEB JAN/FEB 17 17
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Forty serviced berths are provided for vessels to 25m
Being an accomplished British seafarer himself,
the Straits Settlements have always held a special
fascination, and the faint whiff of Empire still lingers
as UNESCO has awarded World Heritage Status to
both Penang and Malacca.
“Penang’s unique location, on the shipping route of
the Honourable East India Company’s trading vessels
between Britain, India, Indonesia and China since the
late 18th century, has been well documented,” he says.
“Nowadays larger ports such as Port Klang in Selangor
and Tanjung Pelepas in Johor have eclipsed Penang as
commercial cargo centres, but the island has instead
become a popular call for increasing numbers of
pleasure vessels plying Asia’s exotic seas and straits,
also known as Aseanarean waters.