Ten Grippers Installed Into Sub's Hull

Ten grippers have been installed into the guides located in the technological holes of the Kursk's hull, Lars Valder, the official spokesman for the Smit company, was quoted as saying. In his words, by now experts have accomplished testing the tension of cables, which were paid out during the storm. The Mayo vessel has been anchored near the Giant-4 barge. According to Valder, the pace of works should speed up now. Saying so, he referred to the fact that the divers "became keen" on installing grippers. The initial plan stipulated that all 26 grippers would be installed within three days. Meanwhile, representatives of the Dutch side are currently refusing to give the exact date of works accomplishment. "Everything depends on weather conditions," Lars Valder stressed. In his words, "no technical problems affect" the accomplishment of works.