Tugboat goes, next is Pontoon
the goan I network
CORTALIM
The tugboat, which was stranded on the Arossim beach for almost 10 days, was finally towed away on Monday evening, even as the stranded pontoon close by would be towed away on Tuesday.
A tug from Mumbai was drafted to tow away the stranded tugboat and about six JCBs were used in the salvage operation. “The JCBs were used to excavate the sand around the tug which was finally pushed into the sea during high tide,” a source told The Goan. Officials from the Captain of Ports were also present to inspect the operation.
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha appeared a relieved person after the tug was finally removed. “Yes I am at peace now and am thankful to all the departments concerned who showed utmost urgency in removing the tug. On Tuesday, I expect the pontoon to be towed away,” she told The Goan.
Saldanha informed that the authorities will first try to see if the pontoon can be floated. “The authorities are trying to plug the holes, drain out the water and sand and also remove the sand around the pontoon with the help of the JCBs. It will be then pulled with the help of a tug,” she said. Saldanha said that she would be visiting the site on Tuesday to get first-hand information of the salvage
operation.
