SEVEROMORSK, Murmansk Region, August 17 (AVN) - Divers made two technological openings in the rigid hull of the dead Kursk nuclear submarine's 4th compartment overnight to Friday, a spokesman for the Northern Fleet headquarters told the Military News Agency.
In spite of complicated weather conditions the divers work in the regular regime. They cut technological openings in the rigid hull of the submarine and dismantle equipment between rigid and light hulls of the submarine.
The wind speed in the area is 15m/s and the visibility became quite poor due to rain and heavy cloudiness. Due to inability to use helicopters to control the recovery operation area in such weather conditions the control is provided only by the Admiral Chabanenko large anti-submarine ship and Dezhnyov and Romuald Mukhlevich hydrographic vessels which are included in the Northern Fleet special expedition.
A towboat from the Norwegian port of Kirkenes will arrive at the site on Friday afternoon. It will deliver foodstuffs and other cargo needed by divers and Mayo vessel crew members.
A slight delay in mounting equipment cutting the 1st compartment of the Kursk should not affect the recovery operation or cause its postponement, a spokesman for the operation headquarters said. According to specialists, the Carrier barge with the cutter and other equipment will be at the site no later than August 25. Compartment separation will start immediately.