Panaji (Goa): Even after nearly one month the ill-fated inoperational casino vessel M V Lucky 7 was towed in deeper waters for underwater patch works, it has still not found a shipyard to undergo permanent repairs.
Sources said that the casino-owning company Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd had initially decided to float the vessel to Jaigad in Ratnagiri but changed its plan and opted for Dubai port. However, the dockyard has not confirmed any slot forcing the company officials to look for another option. It is now learnt that the vessel might be taken to Cochin.
“GGHPL has procured the vessel from a company in Egypt, which has its office in Dubai too. The directors decided to float the vessel to Dubai where M/s AMS Marine LLC also conducts repair works but the dockyard is not free at the moment. GGHPL is waiting for a confirmation but with the Goa government insisting to leave the Mandovi River channel immediately, it might consider going to Cochin,” a source close to the ports administration office disclosed.
After nearly 70 days of struggle, the grounded vessel was floated 500 meters into deeper waters off Miramar on October 5. The experts, technicians and divers from the Dubai salvage company carried out temporary repairs of the vessel, that had developed many cracks and a hole beneath it.
“We cannot allow the vessel to remain in the sea without any purpose for long. The Miramar beach has already suffered ecological damage… The ship is now repaired as per the requirement, so it is a high time it moves to a port for permanent repairs,” said the official.
The Goa bench of Bombay High Court which is monitoring the situation has allowed the vessel to move to Dubai, Cochin or any suitable port of repairs.
Team TNV
