| Ministry of Defence 204/00 16 August 2000 RUSSIAN SUBMARINE: BRITISH RESCUE TEAM LEAVE UK FOR NORWAY John Spellar, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, announced today that the UK Submarine Search and Rescue System has been despatched to Trondheim in Norway. In making the announcement Mr Spellar said: "The pre-positioning of this equipment is simply to ensure that it is best placed in the event that the Russians request our assistance." The Rescue Vehicle, LR5 and a Remote Operated Vehicle - Scorpio, together with crews and support staff numbering over 20 personnel, have been loaded onto a chartered Antonov transport aircraft, at Prestwick airport. The rescue team and equipment will be embarked on a chartered ship, the NORMAND PIONEER, which will act as the mother ship for the operation. The team will be supported by three RAF C130 Hercules aircraft carrying extra equipment including decompression chambers. The LR 5 is a rescue submersible, operated by a crew of 3 and capable of transferring a maximum of 16 personnel. Owned by Global Marine, but under exclusive contract to the MoD, she can be transported by road or air to ports worldwide for embarkation onto a suitable mother ship. The Remote Operated Vehicle (Scorpio) is owned by the MoD but commercially operated, Scorpio is used for survey, clearing obstructions and Emergency Life Support Systems. The following RN and civilian personnel will deploy: Rescue Vehicle crew - 2 pilots and rescue chamber operator Mother ship - 12 support personnel including spare crews 2 naval co-ordinators of rescue force 4 divers 2 Doctors and 4 medics - initial medical team - ends - NOTES TO EDITORS 1. A Royal Navy Media News Team consisting of a cameraman and photographer will be despatched to join the rescue team. They will provide the media with material on the activity of the British team. 2. For further information, please contact Lt Cdr Jim Jenkin at the Defence Press Office. 3. The MoD web-site can be found at http://www.mod.uk Alternatively you may contact the MoD Press Office by e-mail at press@dgics.mod.uk
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