WILL NALINI STAY LIKE RIVER PRINCESS IN GOA? Today's local newspaper dated 17th Nov 2019 has reported that a Dutch Salvaging agency Master Marine is likely to get Government work orders to salvage the grounded vessel Nu Shi Nalini off Goa Raj Bhavan, today or on Monday likely. This is confirmed by our CM Pramod Sawant. Earlier MPT has informed the court that this vessel is quite risky to salvage as it contains around 300 tons of Naphtha plus 50 tons of oil and 19 tons of diesel ( figure as per Outlook Express). Earlier MPT has informed the court that there exists a high risk of removal of this vessel which may break anytime if the salvaging operation fails. If an explosion takes place for wrongdoing it will contaminate not only the marine life but also all the people residing around Dona Paula, Caranzalem, Taleigao and even some parts of Panjim. My contention is why our NIO Institute was not approached to get their first impression of retrieval and why Singapore agency was rejected? I understand that Singapore is well equipped than the Dutch because the weather and coast conditions are more or less similar of India and Goa whereas Dutch firm has no such coastal borders having a similarity of rocky area or sand. Dutch could be well equipped as far as equipment and manpower are concerned but salvaging this grounded vessel off the coast at 800 meters on the rocky area is quite different which needs past experience. Our CM Pramod Sawant before placing work order must consult at least DG Shipping in writing, before issuing such orders or else he will be in trouble by the people of Goa. The fishermen have expressed their opinion that the under vessel picture with the help of Navy divers or any other well-equipped agency having a sophisticated underwater camera can be asked to get the first picture of the double bottom hull for leakage if any, and also they are ready to help them. There, it seems exist fish mortality in that area.according to fishermen. I have already published in a weekly two weeks back important precautions to be taken on salvaging operation and yesterday some local press have also said more or less the same thing. It is essential that geophysical and geological mapping studies with the underwater camera on the latest Side Scan sonar, Echo sounder, and GPS system, must be taken, then only the Nahphta can be unloaded/retrieved from the vessel as per the any approved company expert methods. I also indicated that the vessel is already tilted 10 degrees on starboard which shows there is a bad sign. If the salvaging operation is conducted without the safe procedure adopted then chances of failure and breaking the hull is definitely at high risk.
Stephen Dias Forme Instrumentation scientist of NIO 9422443110 17th Nov 2019
