PANJIM: The crucial test that will decide the fate of ill-fated M V Lucky 7 casino ship starts on Sunday with first attempt being made to re-float her to off Cabo, little further from its present location in Miramar waters.
Besides the officials and experts if the Captain of Ports department, its refloating is also being closely monitored by State government and the Opposition.
Sources said that a tug boat arrived from Mumbai on Friday-Saturday to pull the vessel out of Miramar beach. “The salvors will make an attempt to pull the vessel in deep waters off Miramar on Sunday, schedule of which will depend on the high tide. A tug boat has already arrived from Mumbai and is anchored close to the vessel. It will be pressed into service tomorrow (Sunday),” said an official speaking to HERALD after spot inspection on Saturday evening.
The first stage of re-floating is being carried out to further identify and fix the remaining damages. This will later decide where the vessel can be taken further for underwater inspection, even as off Campal has been designated for the purpose. “Water from certain compartments at the bottom of the vessel is pumped out and leaks have been arrested. As of now, there is water still left in the engine room. It has developed some cracks and when the vessel will be pulled out in deep waters, the assessment will be carried out. The patch up (repairs) will then follow,” he said.
It is also learnt that experts will thereafter decide, depending on the time the entire process takes, where and when the vessel will be further refloated for underwater inspection.
“We are tentatively planning to do an underwater survey by Monday or Tuesday, mostly off Campal. It has to be taken to deeper waters,” said the source claiming the vessel is not fit until final repair works at Jaigad dock yard
After an unsuccessful stint with Arihant Ship Breakers, vessel owning firm Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd hired salvor M/s AMS Marine LLC, Egypt.
