Panaji, Apr 23 (IANS): The 66 Goan seafarers stranded onboard the ship 'Marella Discovery', currently anchored at Mumbai port, have started their disembarkation process and will be brought to Goa in accordance with the central government protocol, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.

Sawant said that 123 Goan sailors on two other vessels off Mumbai were next in queue for completing signing off procedures at the Mumbai port, following which they too would be brought back to Goa.

"I am happy to inform that sign-off of seafarers on Marella has started at Mumbai port," Sawant said in a statement.

"Karnika vessel is on anchorage and Angriya vessel is docked. Goan seafarers will be tested at Mumbai port after which they will be brought to Goa in accordance with the protocol of the government of India," Sawant said.

According to state government figures , nearly 8000 seafarers of Goan origin are currently stranded in different ports-of-call across the world including the seas of India, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sawant has said that the stranded seafarers would be brought back in a phased manner, in co-ordination with the central government agencies and quarantined in special facilities set up by the Goa government.