the goan I network
PANAJI
Jalesh Cruises, the company which owns cruise ship ‘Karnika’, has denied the allegations of non-cooperation in the process of sign off of the seafarers levelled against it by Goa government.
In a statement issued by him, Jurgen Bailom, CEO and President of Jalesh Cruises said, “We have noticed certain media coverage stating that Jalesh Cruises is not showing a willingness to test seafarers for Covid-19. We would like to clarify that the information is misleading.”
Bailom has stated that ever since ‘Karnika’ arrived in Mumbai on March 12, its crew onboard has not left the ship and has been practicing self-quarantine. The crew’s 14-day self-imposed quarantine period ended on March 26. “The seaport Public Health Office in Mumbai has also given them a medical clearance,” he claimed.
Jalesh Cruises further stated, “As a responsible cruise operator, we are dedicated and take full responsibility for our crew and have always cooperated and complied with the guidelines laid down by the government. We have been in talks with the government for a potential ship charter for government requirements.”
‘Karnika’ arrived in Mumbai on March 12 from Dubai without any passengers, with 669 crew and has been docked at Mumbai Port ever since. There are 93 Goan seafarers onboard the ship.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had on April 27 attributed the delay in arrival of Goan seafarers stuck at Mumbai Port to the non-compliance of the owners of cruise ships ‘Angriya’ and ‘Karnika’ with the Standard Operating Procedures laid down by the Director General of Shipping.
“Owners of ‘Karnika’ and ‘Angriya’ are not cooperating. They are unwilling to allow the authorities to test the seafarers onboard the ships for Covid-19. Officers of the State government have repeatedly asked these owners to follow the Standard Operating Procedure laid down by DG Shipping in order to complete the process for sign off,” CM Sawant had stated.
BRING BACK ALL GOANS STRANDED
IN OTHER COUNTRIES: DHAVALIKAR
PANAJI: The State government should make arrangements
to repatriate Goans stranded abroad in the wake of the Coronavirus rampage, irrespective of differentiating between native Goans and those with dual citizenship vis-a-vis Portuguese passport, said MGP leader and former Deputy
Chief Minister Sudin Dhavalikar at a press meeting on Wednesday.
Dhavlikar said those born in Goa are Goans irrespective of whether they possess Portuguese passport or not.
“People have gone for Portuguese passport under compelling situations for employment abroad. Now we have to bring back this people home,” said Dhavalikar.
