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U.S. Rushing To Save Russian Sailors Trapped on Sunken Submarine

05 August 2005

Navy working with Russia, Great Britain and Japan to save sub crew

By Tim Receveur
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States is rushing two unmanned, remote-controlled vehicles from California to Russia's Pacific coast to try to save seven Russian sailors aboard a mini-submarine that sank after its propeller became entangled in either a fishing net or steel cables.

The U.S. Navy is sending 30 sailors along with the rescue vehicles to assist in the effort to save the crew, according to a Department of Defense report.

The deep-diving "Super Scorpio" submersibles and the team of Navy operators will be flown to Petropavlovsk at the request of the Russian Navy, a U.S. Navy spokeswoman said.

The crew and the vehicles will then be taken to a Russian surface ship positioned over the accident site before making a descent to the stricken vessel.  The submarine is located 623 feet (190 meters) below the ocean’s surface, making it impossible for the crew to swim to the surface or for divers to reach the vessel.

The U. S. rescue vehicles are capable of reaching depths of 5,000 feet (about 1,500 meters) and cutting through one-inch (2.5 centimeter) steel cable; they are equipped with high-powered lights, sonar and video cameras.

"Unfortunately the real situation now is that there is enough air only for 24 hours,” said Russian Navy spokesman Captain Igor Dygalo on August 5 at 10:00 GMT. “The rescue operation will continue around the clock, without any breaks or interruptions," he said.

“Russia asked for assistance from the U.S. Navy today, they are formulating a plan to help,'' Courtney Austrian, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, said in a telephone interview. “The U.S. Navy will render whatever services are possible and is hoping there will be a positive outcome.''

Russia also requested assistance from Japan, but Japanese officials have said their vessels could not reach the area until early on August 8, according to news reports. Britain has also offered help and is airlifting rescue equipment.

Both the United States and Russia are participants in the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO).  Both countries participated in submarine rescue exercise “Sorbet Royal” off the coast of Italy in June.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)