TNN
Pics: Kalakruti - Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Panaji, Jun 12: The ports administration ministry on Wednesday ordered the Captain of Ports to seize forthwith transhipper Andheri Nagri, which has been off the Caranzalem coast for several days now, under provisions of Indian Ports Act, 1908 and float and tow it within seven days.
Minister for ports Francisco Pacheco slammed Captain of Ports A P Mascarenhas for ‘shirking his responsibilities’ in initiating action against the transhipper.
Pacheco ordered the CoP to conduct the necessary operations to tow away the vessel to safe anchorage or a protected area, pointing out that if the department failed to do so, action would be initiated against him for ‘dereliction of duty, negligence’ and for ‘attempt to cause embarrassment and bring disrepute to the government’.
The CoP has been directed to initiate the process of recovery of the costs of salvage or towing away of the vessel from the ship owner within two months, and impose permissible fines as well. Under the Act, if the owner fails to reimburse the salvage costs, the government is entitled to auction off the vessel.
Scare at Siridao
A dumb barge which drifted from Mormugao Port sparked fears of an Andheri Nagri at Siridao beach after it stopped 80 metres short off the shore on Sunday
CoP failed to act with urgency’
Panaji: Ports administration minister Francisco Pacheco on Wednesday criticised the Captain of Ports for inaction regarding the transhipper Andheri Nagri, which has been off the Caranzalem coast for several days now.
It said the CoP’s explanation showed that he had not acted with the urgency required with the monsoon fast approaching.
The vessel, owned by Salgaocar Mining Industries, had arrived in Panaji Port’s outer anchorage on May 2, 2008 and had sought permission from the state government to carry out transhipping operations in the outer harbour. However, the CoP had refused permission as the owner had failed to produce a manning certificate.
On May 31 the ship was seen at anchored some distance off Miramar. A couple of days later, it had drifted to the Caranzalem beach.
The CoP was technically competent to act and also had powers under the Indian Ports Act, 1908 to initiate action against the ship and remove it in view of it being an environmental hazard, but instead sought advice from the government, sources in the ministry said.
Providing some guidelines on the technical aspects of the floating and towing operation, the CoP has been told to ensure heavy ballasting of the vessel to prevent its shifting further towards the beach, till salvage attempts are possible
Andheri Nagri discussed at high level meet
Panaji: Alarmed at the continuining presence of the stranded transhipper Andheri Nagri at Caranzalem beach, the north Goa district magistrate Mihir Vardhan on
Wednesday convened a meeting of government officials to review the law and order situation as well as the public nuisance caused by the vessel.
The meet was attended by the Captain of Ports, tourism director, sub-divisional magistrate and mamlatdar of Tiswadi. The district magistrate reviewed the steps taken by the Captain of Ports to deal with the transhipper that came to Caranzalem beach without permission and subsequently ran aground. Vardhan also sought details of the action plan of the transhipper owner to salvage the vessel. Sources in the district magistrate’s office said that in the case of the River Princess, its jurisdiction was with the tourism department.
As the barge is in the minor port, the tourism department has no jurisdiction over it and it comes under the purview of the CoP. The district magistrate also has no direct role and has not issued any orders, sources said.