Team Herald
PANJIM: As fears grow that the grounded MV Lucky 7 offshore casino vessel could be the next River Princess, the authorities are confident the vessel’s salvage operation will commence next week.
Sources told Herald that Mumbai-based Arihant Ship Breakers, which has been hired by Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd, is transporting the equipment from Mumbai to ensure the vessel is towed back to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) without any hassles.
“The agency is transporting the equipment required for the salvage exercise from Mumbai. We expect the towing of the vessel to begin by Monday, subject to the weather and tide. It should take around 10 days for the entire operation to conclude,” an official said. Meanwhile, Captain of Ports has transferred the fuel from the vessel’s tank to prevent possible oil spillage and pollution.
“The process of transferring the fuel from the vessel tank has concluded. Experts have, however, retained a small quantity of fuel for lighting and generators,” he said.
With Goa State Pollution Control Board also monitoring the situation, the authorities are ensuring it is towed back to MPT at the earliest. “We are taking all precautions to ensure it doesn’t meet the fate of M V River Princess. It will be towed away and all concerned are making every effort for its success,” said another official allaying apprehensions raised by certain groups.
The vessel ran aground off Miramar beach on Sunday after it failed at least three attempts to sail to its designated place off Campal. The firm, which was warned of bad weather and choppy seas, went ahead with the towing exercise on July 13. It was initially anchored off Cabo Raj Bhavan after which it was stranded close to Miramar beach blocking the river channel. It later drifted towards Miramar beach and ran aground. During the towing exercise, sources said, the tug lines parted while one of the anchor chains also broke.
