NEWS: Russian Mini Sub Stranded On Ocean Floor - Japanese To Rescue

Here is some more news from the rescue area:

www.interfax.ru...

and:

www.interfax.ru...

And also the latest from TASS:

www.itar-tass.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Anyone reading who can speak Russian and can tune in to radio stations in that area who would do so could sure get us more timely information.

In about an hour the first of the Scorpios should arrive at the rescue site. Also arriving should be two personal deep dive suits and some divers.

Think reporters don't get excited--read how the mini-sub just grew:

www.zaman.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Putin just sent a high ranking rep to the rescue area:

www.interfax.ru...

An update from TASS:

www.itar-tass.com...

Here is an article from Xinhua News (PRC). It is essentiall just a repeat of everyone else, but from China:

news.xinhuanet.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

A fresh round of updates is coming in:

www.interfax.ru...

Mixed messages

There are also conflicting reports about the reason for the accident.

Officials initially said the vessel had got caught in an abandoned fishing net.

Now they are saying the AS-28 is in fact snared in the coastal surveillance antenna, itself secured by a 60 tonne anchor.

www.abc.net.au...

Okay, we've got a breaking banner on MSNBC stating Russian authorities report cables are looped around the sub trapping it. This doesn't sound good. I don't see how they're going to save these guys unless they've got a mini-sub with a cutting torch for getting these cables off.

How the heck did the cables get "looped" around the sub???

Okay - here's the article up now. The banner was confusing. The U.S. and British have looped these cables around the structure that is trapping the sub.

Good news!

www.msnbc.msn.com...

I just watched a report on CNN, the USA is sending a deep drone, and deep diving suits. The drone has robotic arms, and is able to cut and weld steel!.. The deep sea diving suits are able to go as deep as 1,000 feet.

If they get there in time, it looks like soon they will have the equipment to rescue this sub and crew!

Here's a couple more updates. One from AP and one from TASS:

www.itar-tass.com...

customwire.ap.org...

And here's an update from China and one from CNN:

news.xinhuanet.com...

This one from CNN is really just a repeat:

www.cnn.com...

Sorry, I dozed off at my keyboard.

Another article on the rescue:

www.mosnews.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Sure wish there was someone reporting directly from the scene of the rescue attempt--in English.

Here is the lates release from the Scotsman:

news.scotsman.com...

The russians are trying to cut the cable now--latest from TASS:

www.itar-tass.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

This little article underscores what I said earlier about the sensitivity of this particular area to the Soviets:

www.interfax.ru...

Here is the reply from the Pacific Fleet Commander:

www.interfax.ru...

Looks like the Soviet press likes to get their "talking heads" involved for any major news story, just like everyone else.

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Here is Reuter newswires latest piece on the rescue attempt:

today.reuters.com...

Unless the poor young officer who got this thing entangled to begin with has a damn good story, he might as well begin looking for a new job. Assuming they get him back to the surface alive that is.

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Here is the latest TASS news update:

www.itar-tass.com...

This thing better not take very much longer because I'm getting very sleepy.

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Here is what CBS news is currently carrying on this story:

www.cbsnews.com...

The Russians say the third U.S. plane has arrived with more equipment and men. Meanwhile, the British scorpio has been loaded aboard a Russian ship and is enroute to the rescue scene. It should be there in apprx another two and a half hours.

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

Finally, some good news:

www.itar-tass.com...

Last reports are that the sub is now being pulled up to a level where divers can reach it...yaaaaahhhh

www.itar-tass.com...

MOSCOW, August 6 (Itar-Tass) - Rescuers succeeded in pulling up the AS-28 mini-submarine and started raising it at the depth where divers could reach, the Navy Staff reported on Saturday.

Rear Admiral Vladimir Pepelyayev said rescuers could pull up the mini-submarine in order to raise it to a depth where divers could reach it.

That is good news..
Waiting for even better news..

Thanks Mayet, for keeping us informed..!
Same goes to you, Astronomer..

[edit on 6-8-2005 by spacedoubt]

Well, it's just about time for the Brit Scorpio to arrive at the rescue site. I don't know how long it takes to prep the Scorpio for operation, but they have probably been doing that enroute anyway. The following link is only to show a picture you won't see everyday, Spetsnaz soldiers and British airmen working together.

www.mosnews.com...

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]

It has become pretty obvious the Soviets really don't want to have to send foreign divers & equipment down where they can see the underwater installations. I expect them to raise the mini-sub off the seabed far enough to preclude that if they possibly can. If they can't, they will let them dive, but you can bet the water will be cloudy with bottom mud & debris first. I'm sure what they would rather do is have one of their guys operate the scorpio, if that's at all possible.

[edit on 6-8-2005 by Astronomer68]