Panaji rIn an incident which could be termed as a ‘disaster in the making’, MV Lucky Seven Casino vessel, which was grounded off Miramar Beach on Saturday, has now drifted alarmingly closer towards the shore. rFour crew members aboard the vessel were seriously injured during an attempt by tug boats to tow the ship which ran aground at Aguada sand bar. They were rescued by Indian Coast Guard. rOfficials of the Indian Coast Guard informed that they received a distress call from Deputy Captain of Ports about the vessel being grounded, and with four crew members in urgent need of assistance. “The Indian Coast Guard on Sunday rescued four patients from MV Lucky Seven off Aguada. A telephonic request for rescue of the crew was received at the Coast Guard District Headquarters Goa from Deputy Captain of Ports at 9 pm on July 15. It was intimated that one of the crew members had sustained a severe hand injury and other three crew members were suffering from acute sea sickness. However, the condition of the crew was stable,” stated the press release issued by Indian Coast Guard. r“The Coast Guard launched a helicopter with first light under the command of COMDT Amit Korgaonkar and evacuated the four crew members. They were handed over to the medical team at Miramar Beach. Thereafter, they were taken to Manipal Hospital for treatment and the condition of the crew was intimated to be stable,” the release stated further. rSources informed that there are 16 crew members aboard the vessel. The Drishti lifeguard team has been on standby since Sunday morning. rMeanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party in Goa has lashed out at the State government for permitting another floating casino MV Lucky Seven to operate in River Mandovi. The party has questioned the government over how many more casinos they will permit to operate in the channel. r“The incident is a disaster. Captain of Ports James Braganza had in fact put his foot down in this regard, and had even urged the government on making a risk assessment, which does not permit him to carry out this operation because this vessel is a blackout ship. There are no generators in operation, no engine, and nothing works on the ship. Why is it being moved from MPT to Mandovi when despite an official circular mentioning that the river is closed for navigation of all barges? If we may recall, the River Princess which was grounded at Candolim Beach, is a case in study. Yesterday, when the vessel was being moved in, the tugs parted off the ropes. This is another indication of a disaster,” said an AAP member.
