Norway and Russia, together with the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office created submarine history today by completing a simulated rescue of submariners from a Norwegian submarine by a Russian rescue vehicle.
The Royal Norwegian Submarine Uthaug was bottomed in 85 meters of water 3 miles off southern Norway near Arendal. The Russian Deep Submerged Rescue Vehicle, the AS34 was launched from the Russian support ship the RFS Titov. The aim was to simulate a rescue of submariners from a stricken submarine. At 14.35 for the first time ever the Russian rescue vehicle successfully docked with a NATO submarine under water and 8 submariners were exchanged between the submarine and rescue vehicle.
Commander Kjell-Knut Aabrek from the Royal Norwegian Navy said Russia are our neighbors and having a proven rescue system will make the rescue of any submariner quicker and safer regardless of their nationality
Captain Andrey Zelenikin of the Russian Federation Navy said Russia has now successfully tested a system with an ability to save NATO submariners. Nothing is more important than saving fellow sailors. We are delighted by the success of this historic event.
This practice rescue is part of a major international exercise called Bold Monarch taking place of the coast of Norway. For the next 2 weeks submarines from the Netherlands, Norway and Poland will practice using rescue vehicles from Russia, USA and the joint British, French and Norwegian system. Fifteen nations are taking part with observers from many other countries including China.
POA(Phot) “Brad” Bradbury
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