Goa’s beached floating casino finally ready to be rescued

The Indian state of Goa is preparing to finally rescue the floating casino that has been stuck on a Mandovi river sandbar since July.

Earlier this week, the Goa Herald reported that the MV Lucky 7, which ran aground this summer while being towed to its intended mooring spot on the Mandovi, was almost at the point where it could be towed to a dry-dock in Jaigad for further repairs.

The MV Lucky 7 was set to become the state’s sixth ‘offshore’ casino but owner Golden Globe Hotels decided to launch the vessel just prior to the arrival of the local monsoon season, reportedly against the advice of local port officials.

Continued bad weather has hampered salvage operations, but an unnamed official told the Herald that the underwater welding necessary to patch the MV Lucky 7’s hull was “in the final stages.” With the boat “almost in an upright position” after pumping out the two meters of sand and water that had accumulated inside the vessel, the boat is expected to finally be towed away this weekend.