Weather conditions at Kursk wreck site getting better

Igor Dygalo, the Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief's assistant, has confirmed the information released by the hydro-meteorological service of the Russian Northern Fleet that the weather at the wreck site of the Kursk nuclear submarine will get better within 48 hours. At the same time, he stated, the present weather conditions in the Barents Sea prevent ships of the Northern Fleet from arriving at the wreck site. The current weather conditions are: force - three waves, wind speed - 15 mps with gusts up to 17-18 mps. "The ships will sail out to the operation zone as soon as possible," the official was quoted as saying. Two Northern Fleet ships, which constitute a Special Naval Expedition, were to put to sea on May 15th, while the operation was to start on May 20th. The Kursk nuclear submarine sank in the Barents Sea in August 2000. The major part of its hull, except the first compartment, was salvaged in Autumn 2001.