Russian navy prepares to salvage Kursk's first compartment

Crews of the Altai and Mikhail Denisenko vessels of the Russian Northern Fleet are currently preparing to start salvaging the first compartment of the Kursk nuclear submarine.

According to Mikhail Navrotsky, the Chief of the press service of the Russian Northern Fleet, rescue vessels arrived at the operation zone in the early hours of Thursday after the night storm. Vessels' crews are currently equipping the roadstead.

According to the Press Service Chief, weather conditions are currently favourable for the operation: wind speed - 5-7 mps, there are force-two waves, thin fog. If the weather remains fine, the salvaging of the first compartment's fragments will start within the next few days.

First, the area will be inspected by means of the RTM-500 submarine vehicle operated from aboard the Mikhail Navrotsky. Later on, the four-seat AS-32 and AS-36 vehicles will dive to the wreck site. Artificial arms of rescue vehicles will be fixed on necessary fragments and the salvaging will begin following a test of the fixation soundness.