PANAJI
After being grounded at the Miramar Beach for almost 70 days, the M V Lucky Seven casino vessel was finally towed to the River Mandovi, where it has now been anchored pending repairs at the dry dock in Jaigarh, Ratnagiri.
The Mormugao Port Trust offered two tug boats to help the salvers AMS Marine LLC, Egypt in towing the vessel. The entire exercise commenced at around 8.45 am on Thursday. It took 20 minutes for the team to extend the ropes linking the vessel to the tug boats and by 9.15, the vessel was successfully refloated. By 10 am, the vessel was safely anchored in River Mandovi.
In a statement issued to the media, Mormugao Port Trust has said, "Acting on the direct instructions of Chairman of MPT I Jeyakumar and under the leadership of Captain Manoj Joshi, Harbour Master of Mormugao Port Trust, M V Lucky Seven was refloated at around 9.30 am on October 5, 2017 by using two tugs of MPT. The operation was a success and M V Lucky Seven after refloating was safely anchored in deep waters along River Mandovi, thereby bringing relief to the local administration."
Govind Kanda, brother of Gopal Kanda who owns the vessel, expressed joy after the vessel was brought into the main channel of River Mandovi and said that it was a happy coincidence that this coincided with his birthday.
"Last 10 to 12 days, we have carried out a successful operation. We were at a distance of mere 50 metres from the channel. Today, the high tide was supportive and at 8.45 am two MPT vessels arrived to help us," he said speaking about the exercise.
Govind Kanda informed that the owners will now undertake an underwater survey to ascertain the losses and damages to the vessel.
"The underwater survey will take around two days to complete. Over Rs 10 crore losses are estimated but this will be confirmed later. Divers began the underwater survey," he said.
Kanda's brother also expressed confidence about operating the offshore casino aboard the vessel. He stated, "This is our second licence in Goa. It has been renewed and we have paid all the dues. Rs 50 crore paid previously and Rs 5 crore fees paid later. Rs 12 crore fees are due right now and we are paying Rs 1 crore every month. Only after the dues are paid will the casino operations begin in Mandovi."
Kandas further informed that the vessel will be temporarily repaired in Mandovi so that it can be taken to Jaigarh in Ratnagiri for repairs. The repairs are likely to take two months.
Meanwhile, Captain of Ports James Braganza said that the vessel was permitted entry into River Mandovi for undertaking the underwater survey. "Substantial repairs have to be carried out on the vessel to enable her to proceed on voyage from Goa to Jaigarh in Ratnagiri where she is expected to dry-dock. After that, the owners will have to abide by the High Court orders," Captain Braganza said.
M V Lucky Seven, which was safely moored at harbour at the Mormugao Port, sailed out to sea on its voyage to Panaji on July 13 despite clear warnings against this move. Unfortunately, owing to rough seas, the vessel was grounded at the Miramar beach.
