GEORGE TOWN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Motorists on a ferry to Malaysia's Penang Island had a scare when a water fountain suddenly gushed out from the deck.

Pictures of the water gushing out in the middle of deck have since gone viral, with some suspecting a leak on the ferry.

Netizens asked if it was due to poor maintenance of the ferry or it was a new interior fountain.

However, ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) clarified that it was water from the fresh water tank that is utilised for the cooling of the engine, restrooms and other domestic purposes whilst crossing the sea.

PPSB chief operating officer V. Sasedharan said that it is a standard practice for the crew to open the "sounding hole" while replenishing the water before vehicles come on board.

"When the water reaches the desired levels, it will sprout out of the hole to indicate that the tank is full and the crew will close the sounding hole and continue with the next trip," said Mr Sasedharan.