SEVEROMORSK, August 15 (AVN) - The rescue operation in the Barebnts sea progresses very slow and hard, connection with the crew is not established, the rescuers talk with the crew only by tapping messages through the hull, an informed source in the Northern Fleet Staff told the Military News Agency.
In the past two days the deep-sea vessels have many times approached the submarine but failed to make a thorough inspection. They also did not manage to anchor at the upper deck in order to pierce into the submarine. The work is affected by heavy current that sweeps the vessels. They could not even make a full realisation of the damage.
The assumptions on that several nose compartments are scuttled can be verified soon.
The Project 949A SSBNs have only 30 percent buoyancy reserve. The submarine owing to the safety of the construction and huge store of highly pressurised air can surface in emergency with one fully scuttled compartment. It is logical to say then that the number of scuttled compartments is more than one.
The source also confirmed that the evacuation of the crew will begin 22.00 Moscow time (GMT 1800). Five-seven hours will be needed for the rescue of the crew.