SEVASTOPOL. Jan 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The Arktika survey vessel salvaged January 18 is being repaired at the moment, a source in the Black Sea Fleet headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency Monday.
"The operation to salvage the Arktica survey vessel that sank as a result of storm and icing in the Novorossiysk port has been a success. The vessel was raised on January 18. The hull of the vessel is being sealed and the water is being pumped out," the source said.
He also said that the Arktika would be transferred to a safer place. Its future will be determined by a commission formed by Vice Admiral Vladimir Rogatin, commander of the Novorossiysk base, the chiefs of the survey services of the fleet and the base, and representatives of the fleet's technical command.
The Arktika was salvaged by the KIL-25 lifting-and-mooring vessel and the PZhK-58 motor boat. Rogatin was in charge of the operation, while command and control in the field was assigned to Captain 1st Rank Vasily Vasilchuk, chief of S&R Department of the Black Sea Fleet.