Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS

Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS
Preetu Nair , TNN

PANAJI: The Leela approached the high court opposing the state government's move to shift all casino vessels to Aguada Bay stating that it would
affect its commercial operations. It also said it had permission from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to operate the vessel within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi. But now it appears there is more than meets the eye.

Replying to Leela's claim, DGS has filed an affidavit in the high court pointing out that the vessel has major technical deficiencies and cannot operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters.

"The owners of MV The Leela put up the vessel for certification as a class VII passenger vessel, the lowest class permissible. However, the vessel couldn't meet the requirements for even this class, as it didn't comply with many of the rule requirements," states the affidavit. It adds, "The Leela, in its present condition, can't operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters."

When contacted, all that a Leela Venture Ltd official said was, "We have taken permission from DGS to operate on river Mandovi as a class VII passenger vessel and we have been granted the same. This is also displayed on the vessel."

The situation is akin to a 15-year-old luxury bus with major technical deficiencies not meeting the required RTO fitness standards yet being granted permission on the bus operator's assurance that it will ply only within city limits.

The Leela was accorded the certification after exemptions were granted with regard to watertight doors, deadlights for scuttles/windows for emergency use, double bottom tanks, detachable sills to facilitate safe passenger entry and exit, and exemption for diesel engine driven emergency fire pump with hand cranking. All this was explained in a letter from DGS to Leela on June 18, 2008.

The affidavit also states, "The vessel has major technical deficiencies with reference to the applicable rule requirements. Due to this, its operation as a passenger vessel is restricted to within sheltered waters. In case they want to operate the vessel beyond sheltered waters of any port or river, they have to rectify the deficiencies and comply fully with the relevant rules applicable for a passenger vessel for the intended area and season of operation."

Refuting the casino vessel's claim that it had DGS's permission to operate within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi, DGS said that the owners had themselves requested exemption from various rule requirements for a class VII certification, stating that operation would be restricted to the sheltered waters of river Mandovi, within inland water limits, that it will operate in inshore areas where traffic restrictions are not applicable, that the vessel will not ferry passengers and that the vessel will not sail or cruise, but remain moored in the river, except for bunkering purposes at which time there will be no passengers on board. This, Leela had communicated to the DGS on June 9, 2008.

The status and exemptions were granted taking into consideration the area and nature of operation of the vessel under provisions of MS (Construction and Survey of Passenger Ships) Rules 1981.

Passenger ships in India are classified in seven classes, class I being the highest and permitted to undertake "international voyages" and class VII the lowest. Class VII passenger vessels can be engaged only on voyages during the "fair season" between ports in India and the aren't allowed further than 5 miles from land.

8 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Medical tourism may take a hit

Medical tourism may take a hit
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Hospitals in Goa engaged in medical tourism forsee a 50% fall in arrival of foreigners this season. Alarmed by initial trends, some hospitals are planning new schemes to attract walk-in foreign tourists.
“We expect a 50% decline among foreign tourists who come for dental, cosmetic or bariatic treatment to Goa. Generally during the tourist season, about 10 rooms are booked by foreigners, but the quantum is expected to be less this season,” said Victor Albuquerque, pioneer in medical tourism in Goa.
There’s been a steep decline in bookings by foreign patients at Albuquerque’s Margao hospital, Apollo Victor. From some 200 bookings by foreigners last year, the number has decreased to 20 this year. “We were expecting a 25% increase in foreign patients and had even tied up with hospitals in UK, but due to the global meltdown and Goa’s image sliding from bad to worse, there has been a drastic decline in the number of patients this season,” said Albuquerque.
Most hospitals in Goa offering cosmetic surgery were expecting an increase of about 25% to 50% of foreign patients this year. “The bookings are low this season even though we were expecting a higher turnout. We just hope there’s no decline in walk-in foreign tourists this season,” said Dr Digambar Naik of Vrundavan hospital, Mapusa.
Interestingly, to attract walk-in foreign tourists, Goan hospitals are now planning new schemes. Said Selvio Fernandes, marketing manager, Campal Clinic, “We are also not far from introducing attractive schemes as it is the need of the hour. However, we have yet to decide on what to offer to our international clients.” LOW COST TREATMENT Schemes to woo medical tourists
Panaji: With hospitals in Goa expecting a decline in foreigners coming for treatment to the state this season, they are thinkin up innovative schemes to woo the medical-tourist.
“We are planning to offer discounts or free health check-ups to walk-in international patients. The whole idea is to make them feel important,” said Edna Noronha, manager (marketing), Apollo Victor hospital.
Some hospitals are planning to send medical teams to examine patients at their hotels rather than have them come to hospital.
Low-cost treatment and better facilities had turned Goa into a hot destination for tourists seeking dental or cosmetic treatment. In 2007, about 250 tourists went under the scapel in a bid to enhance their looks in four hospitals across the state.
A majority of the tourists who came for treatment were
from the United Kingdom and the United States. According to doctors, the most sought after treatments were liposuction (fat removal), facelift, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, botox treatment and breast enlargement or reduction.

September 19, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition