Miramar (Goa): The grounded-yet-partially floating controversial casino ship Lucky 7 finally made its way in deeper waters but not until it moved around 300 mtrs from off Miramar beach. The vessel floated in the waters when the salvaging exercise resumed after a gap of four days, this morning. It however hit the sand bar due to the low tide, but experts are confident that the vessel will be towed off Aguada bay where the repair works are expected to be carried out.

“The vessel has moved a distance from Miramar shoreline but after moving around 300 mtrs it was stuck in the sand bar owing to low tide. We expect the operation to resume tomorrow. The ship will be anchored off Aguada bay where the patch work and welding will be carried out,” said one of the experts.

The vessel is nevertheless floating reducing the risk of being stranded again, said an official from the captain of ports department.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall in the last 3-4 days besides parting of the rope tied between the vessel and one of the three tugboats led to the delay in the salvaging of the vessel.

Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd, owned by Haryana politician Gopal Kanda had hired Egypt-based M/s VMS Marine LLC for the towing operation. The international company has assured to tow the vessel in deeper waters before September 27, when the matter will be heard in the Goa bench of Bombay High Court.

The court had pulled up the casino firm for the crisis on the frequented beach claiming that casinos are replaceable but environment is not.  The Goa State Pollution Control Board had also issued fresh notices to the company for paying Rs 1 crore for the damage to the ecology.