Team Herald
PANJIM: The experts and salvors involved in refloating the casino ship M V Lucky 7 managed to move the vessel partially on Sunday. However, sources said the ship was moved 180 degrees around the spot where it is presently located at Miramar beach.
The tugboat called from Mumbai was involved in the exercise, which will continue even tomorrow.
“The entire operation began at 12-noon as the high tide was expected at 1 pm. In the three-hour long operation, we managed to move the vessel 180 degrees. Another attempt will be made tomorrow to pull the vessel into deep waters. The patch up of some repaired parts will be carried out there after which it will be taken further off Campal for underwater inspection,” said the source.
Officials of the Captain of Ports, Dubai salvaging company, and the vessel owing firm Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd were present at the site till evening hours.
The first stage of refloating is being carried out to further identify and fix the remaining damages. This will later decide whether 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 is 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 into 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.
Meanwhile, all those involved in the exercise are taking step by step action as precautionary measure.
