TOI reported that Goa’s department of ports administration has directed the owner of the iron ore barge Gowal, which sank with 800 tonnes of ore at Capxem to remove the vessel immediately. It has also asked the owner to furnish documents pertaining to the barge's registration and other aspects.
Mr AP Mascarenhas Captain of Ports told TOI that "The owner will have to immediately remove the vessel and salvage the ore. The owner had only written a letter giving a few details of the sinking of the vessel."
He added that the barge owner has to produce original certificates of registration of the vessel which might reveal details of the vessel's seaworthiness and also documents relating to the crew employed by the vessel including its master as well as a casualty report of the incident.
Mr Mascarenhas also informed that the ports administration department will carry out an inspection at the site in Capxem. Further action will be taken on the basis of the findings of the inspection and after the casualty report is received from the vessel owner.
The iron ore that was being transported to Mormugao harbor is estimated to be worth INR 2.5 million. Sources said that immediate salvage operations of the ore were necessitated by environmental considerations as it would lead to pollution of the water.
