[PSUBS-MAILIST] Russians race to rescue sailors

[<drewacard@charter.net>]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4747783.stm

Russians race to rescue sailors  
  
The Russian navy is racing against time to rescue the crew of a deep-sea diving vessel trapped on the ocean floor in the Russian Far East. 
The Priz submersible became caught in a fishing net and sank to a depth of 190m (620ft) off the Kamchatka peninsula on Thursday, officials say. 

The Russian navy has sent rescue ships to the area, and requested the help of the Japanese and US fleets. 

A navy spokesman said the sailors had enough air for only another 24 hours. 

Earlier Russian officials had said the sailors might have up to another four days' supply. 

Too deep 

Japan has decided to send rescue ships to the site, Russian media have reported. The assistance from the US is also expected. 


"The Navy's Command has requested the US Pacific Fleet assistance through the embassy in Moscow," navy spokesman Capt Igor Dygalo told Itar-Tass news agency. 

 PRIZ SUBMERSIBLE 
 
Length: 13.5m
Width: 3.8m
Maximum speed: 3.3 knots
Maximum depth: 1,000m
Hull: Titanium
Air supply: 120 hours 

Interfax news said the Russian Pacific Fleet commander was discussing with the US Navy how it might help. 

The submersible, normally used for underwater rescue operations, was taking part in a military exercise when its propeller became entangled in the net on Thursday. 

Officials said there was "technical communication" with the sailors, but no voice contact. None is believed to be hurt. 

The vessel is too deep to allow the sailors to swim to the surface on their own, and another submersible is needed to release them. 

The accident occurred almost exactly five years after the nuclear submarine Kursk sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea after explosions on board. 

All 118 men on board died - including some sailors who survived the initial blast but ran out of oxygen. 

Russian authorities were sharply criticised for their handling of the crisis. 

 
The AS-28 'Priz' minisub can operate at depths of 1,000m, but 190m is too deep to allow the crew to attempt escape 

 





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