Aggrieved foreign sailors leave Goa with sad memories

by CHRISTINA VIEGAS
Posted on 2009-02-08
A lot has been penned on the woes of the seamen who were part of the Vasco-da-Gama Rally. A handful left for Oman yesterday, while the remaining are departing this morning at 9 a.m. Before leaving Mr Lodewijk Brust, the leader of the team, was keen on clarifying what the Minister for Tourism, Mr Francisco Pacheco had recently said in print.
Replying to Mr Pacheco’s comments that the government had paid for the pontoons the last monsoons, aggrieved Mr Brust said, “The government didn’t pay a rupee during our last visit. Our friends and other well-wishers of the sport contributed 50 per cent of the cost towards the rent of the pontoons, the walkway, the electricity and water connections, anchoring facilities etc, while our rally members bore the other 50 per cent. “As for him alleging that a lot of money was made by private parties, let me clarify that with a marina of 20 yachts, there is absolutely no scope for making any money. The enthusiasts helped us as this was an investment for the future of the sport in the state.”
A disillusioned man, he continued, “If he as the Minister of Tourism is concerned about boosting the same in the state, why isn’t he helping us? Aren’t we tourists too? And we spend so much during our stay here.”
Explaining the predicament he was in regarding the water traffic congestion, the Dutchman inquired, “If he decides to bring so many casinos to Goa, it is obvious that he is in a mess. Right now a calamity is just waiting to happen on the river. He is not at all informed about yachting and it is clear that he has no intention of developing the sport here.”
The Dutchman possessed written intimation of all the authorities giving him the go, but only the Minister did not take the matter further. As for Mr Pacheco saying that facilities cannot be provided to them for just a week’s stay, Mr Brust countered, “Panaji is a port of entry. All our yachts that come have to go through immigration, customs and Captain of Ports. And all this is absolutely time consuming where they take three days to clear eleven yachts whereas in other places it is done in an hour.” He continued, “All we are asking is for his permission to private parties to place pontoons where we can dock in an orderly manner close to each other unlike now wherein we need more space around us.”
The sailor also stated, ““Every time, we are told that there is a proposal to build marinas in isolated places like Chapora, Zuari and Sal. Why would we sailors want to go there? We need to go ashore in a place like Panaji for meeting our many needs before proceeding further.” During his chat, a German reporter sailed by clicking pictures to report back in Germany. Mr Brust quickly averred, “I have requested him to file a polite report in Germany as it would be very damaging for Goa’s name.” He concluded, “It is a unanimous feeling among all of us that we don’t want to come back to Goa.”