Russian-Norwegian exercise in the Barents Sea

The Russian-Norwegian exercise Barents-2002, held in the Barents sea, was devoted to searching and rescuing people in distress at sea.

The Neptun patrol ship of the Russian Frontier Service /FFS/, as well as helicopters Mi-8 and Ka-27 were involved in the exercise on the part of Russia, the FFS press service reported.

The exercise was carried out in compliance with a Russo-Norwegian intergovernmental agreement signed in 1995 concerning search of missing people and rescue of persons in distress in the Barents sea, the press service pointed out.

Since 1986 Russia has been a member of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. In line with the convention requirements, Russia signs bilateral agreements on search and rescue at sea and on cooperation in this sphere.