21 May 2016

Grounded tug ‘MT Lotus’ moved from Arossim beach

Grounded tug ‘MT Lotus’  moved from Arossim beach

Arihant Ship Breakers finally succeeded in moving the grounded tug ‘MT Lotus’ from Arossim beach on Monday.

The salvage operation in order to tow the grounded pontoon ‘Bhageerath’ is likely to start by the next couple of days with the help of MT Lotus and another tug which has been summoned by Arihant Ship Breakers from Mumbai.

Arihant Ship Breakers have utilised the services of two JCB machines and an excavator for the purpose of excavating the sand surrounded by the grounded tug.

It may be recalled that ‘MT Lotus’ tug was grounded at Arossim beach on April 24 after it was making an attempt to tow away the grounded pontoon ‘Bhageerath’.

Arossim villagers and the traditional fishermen have protested against the grounded tug and the pontoon, demanding immediate arrest of the Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim Village Panchayat secretary, sarpanch and the hotel management who were responsible for organising a wedding ceremony onboard the floating pontoon. The operation on removing the grounded tug came following a meeting chaired by the South Goa collector Dr Sachin Shinde who is also the chairman of South Goa Disaster Management Authority. Dr Shinde inspected the site last Saturday and was personally monitoring the situation. When contacted the Mormugao Port Trust chairman I Jeyakumar said that Arihant Ship Breakers have started working on removing the sand around the grounded pontoon.

“Once all the sand and water is removed, the workers engaged in salvaging the pontoon would seal the cracks developed on the wind tanks. The pontoon will be removed with the help of two tugs” stated Jeyakumar. He however opined that the operation on towing away the pontoon would commence in another couple of days.

Source: navhind times. 3 May 2016

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