In the Memory of the crew of the
nuclear powered submarine Kursk


Due to the fact, that there are different interpretations of situation development, we offer actual information on the course of rescue operation, based on trusted sources, analysis of Mass Media and statements of political and military leaders:

12.08

07.30 GMT - A Norwegian seismological institute registered two powerful explosions in the Barents Sea.

19.30 GMT - Sub Kursk didn't communicate in assigned time, it is considered that she is in danger. Rescue operation started.

13.08

00.30 GMT - The submarine was found on the seabed. Rescue ships arrived at the scene.

03.00 GMT - The accident was reported to the President

14.08

Formal report from officials jn TV (RTR channel) that submarine Kursk laid on the bottom, there was no nuclear weapon aboard. Informal request from Norwegian authorities concerning the radiation situation in the area and needs for possible assistance.

15.08

Formal offering of assistance by military attach? of Norway and UK. Russian Navy informed that it was ready to accept any foreign assistance.

16.08

British LR-5 delivered to Troncheim in Norway by Russian An-124. As LR-5 needed mother ship, and because of some delay, Norway offered it's deep divers. Telephon talk of Russian and USA Presidents.

17.08

Mother ship Normand Pioneer with LR-5, rescue team and representatives of UK Navy departured Troncheim tj the sceene. Deep waters rescue vehicle DSRV was prepared for sending to the sceene in the USA. Formal offering of assistance by Germany and Holland. Meeting of NATO and Russian Navy representatives in Brussel.

18.08

Seaway Eagle with deep divers and representatives of Norwegian Armed forces departured Tromse heading to the sceene.

19.08

At night Normand Pioneer and Seaway Eagle arrived to the sceene. Because of current actions of Russian deep waters rescue vehicles on the submarine and possible danger for them, the beginning of work was planned the next morning.

20.08

Early morning Seaway Eagle searched sub Kursk by unmanned vehicle. After midday Stilt Offshore's deep divers went down to the submarine, searched rescue hatch and signalled to discover alive people aboard. They also confirmed that the hatch was damaged and it was admitted that the use of British LR-5 was unsensed. At night they tried to open the hatch. The diver's managers from Seaway Eagle were delivered at the sistership Orel in one of the Nothern fleet bases in order to study the hatch and possible ways of it's openning.

21.09

In the morning the divers opened the upper hatch of the rescue camera, by the midday they managed to open lower hatch. It was confirmed that all crew is dead. Because the contract with Stolt Offshore company signed by Norwegian Armed forces was only for rescue operation, which was considered finished after openning the hatch and confirmation of no alive aboard, the firther works were stopped. In the night Commander in Chief of the Nothern fleet started negotiations with the company on the finishing works until the bodies of the crew could be taken off the submarine. The compane refused to continue works.

22.08

After confirmation of that refuse by company leaders Normand Pioner and Seaway Eagll departured the area.


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     E-mail: kurskmem@murman.ru