KURSK - Raising begins

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Work starts to raise Russian nuclear sub

By Marcus Warren in Moscow (Filed: 09/07/2001)

A HIGH risk operation to raise the Kursk nuclear submarine starts today when a diving support ship that sailed from Scotland on Friday arrives above the wreck in the Barents Sea.

A squad of Russian and Norwegian divers will inspect the Kursk's remains later this week.

President Putin promised relatives of the 118 crew who died in the still unexplained disaster last August that the submarine would be raised this year, but the Russians have been struggling to meet the deadline.

The operation, which will cost the Russian government around £60 million, is fraught with risks, not least because of the vessel's two nuclear reactors and arsenal of cruise missiles and torpedoes.

A torpedo that became stuck in its firing tube during an exercise is generally thought to be the cause of the tragedy.

A Dutch company with minimal experience of such work has won the contract to raise the wreck. It intends to wire the Kursk to a huge barge with cables and winch it to the surface.

The fore section, which was most damaged, will be cut away and initially left on the sea bed 300ft below.

The Kremlin has promised to give the media full access to the operation.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2001


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