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Step One Divers Begin Cutting Holes in Kursk; Everything 'Going as Planned'

M O S C O W , July 23 — Divers have begun cutting the first holes in the sunken Russian submarine Kursk as part of efforts to recover the vessel.

A three-man international diving teams began work on the first sections over the weekend, and are expected to continue through the third, fourth and fifth of the Kursk's nine sections today, said Russian navy spokesman Cpt. Igor Dygalo. They are marking places on the hull where 26 steel cables will be attached and used for pulling the Kursk to the surface in the final stage of the operation, in mid-September.

Later this evening, fresh crews will position so-called "stencils" above the Kursk's remaining sections. The "stencils" allow the cutters to follow correct parameters.

The Kursk sank Aug. 12, 2000, during a training exercise in the Barents Sea off northern Russia. All 118 crew members on board were killed.

The submarine's first compartment, which was mangled in the explosion that sank the Kursk and could contain unexploded torpedoes, is to be cut off and left at the bottom of the Barents Sea when the submarine is raised.

Radiation Being Monitored

Everything is proceeding "as planned," Dyagalo told Russia's NTV television station.

The divers have positioned additional probes to monitor the area's radiation levels as well.

Russia's information department also released a video taken by underwater remote-controlled camera of the sunken nuclear submarine today.

It shows the ruined parts of the submarine as well as the sea bed near the bow.

The international operation to salvage the Kursk began last week after the Norwegian diving support ship Mayo arrived in the area. The Mayo is serving as a base for the salvage operation.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001