THEGOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Agroup of seafarers led by Capt Venzy Viegas has submitted acontingency plan to the Goa government, covering the entire plan ofoperation of how to get the stranded seamen back home, the stepsrequired to be taken at the airport upon their arrival and thequarantine centres.
CaptViegas, who discussed the contingency plan with senior governmentofficials, has also stressed on the creation of hubs in South Africa,USA, UK and Europe to ensure that the beleaguered seafarers are allbrought at one point before their transportation back home.
“Thecontingency plan submitted to the Goa government will help theauthorities on how to go about the evacuation plan, right from theairport to their arrival at the Dabolim airport and the setting up ofquarantine centres in Goa,” he said.
Makinga fervent plea to the beleaguered seamen and their families toexercise patience, Capt Venzy said one has to understand that notonly India is under lockdown, but it is across the world.
“Wehave received information that a group of seafarers is stranded inSouth Africa. What the government can do is to make S Africa as atransportation hub and get other seafarers stranded in theneighbouring countries before they are all flown back to India,” hesaid, adding that a similar hub can be set up at Florida, USA, wherea large number of cruise ships with Indian seafarers are presentlyanchored.
