Sub's crew 'had time to speak'

The Russian Navy knows much more than it is letting on about the conditions inside the sunken Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, according to US intelligence sources.

Throughout the drama, the Navy has insisted that the only communication from the crew trapped at the bottom of the Barents Sea has been tapping on the submarine's hull.

But now intelligence sources in Washington, quoted by ABC News, say the crew were in direct radio contact for a short time after the 10,700- tonne Kursk sank, giving the Russians a fairly accurate picture of conditions on board.

The sources claimed that the crew said half of the vessel had been flooded after one or two explosions in the torpedo tubes and missile silos and, as a result, half of the 118 men on board had been killed instantly.

The big questions now facing the rescuers are, first, whether a British LR5 rescue submarine expected to arrive on the scene tomorrow will be able to dock with the Kursk and, second, whether there is anyone left to save.

The answer to the first question appears to be yes. The British LR5 has previously docked with a Polish submarine with the same escape hatch as the Kursk.

The Russians are pinning their hopes on the LR5 because it is much more manoeuvrable than their own underwater rescue craft. It can hover and travel up, down or laterally like a helicopter to reach its target and so is reckoned to have a much better chance of connecting with the Kursk.

The answer to the second question is not so clear. The last sign of life detected on the submarine was a faint tapping on Wednesday morning. Since then nothing has been heard from the crew and the Russian Navy calculated that the air would run out yesterday.

However, it now says the air will last for several more weeks.

If there is anyone alive on board and the LR5 is able to dock, it will take the survivors to the surface 16 at a time.

"All we want to do is to get into position and do our level best to rescue them," said Commander Alan Hoskins, of the Royal Navy submarine rescue service, as he sailed towards the disaster site from Trondheim in Norway.

Asked about the LR5 mission's chances of success in the powerful sea currents reported to be swirling around the Kursk, he said: "Until we are there and the pilots have gone down ... they will not know for certain what the currents are.

"If the current is two knots or less, we can cope with that."

A report late last night said that a Russian rescue craft had briefly latched on to an escape hatch but quickly returned to the surface because the hatch was damaged.

It was unclear whether the rescuers linked to the front escape hatch, which is known to be damaged, or the rear one, which is thought to be in working order and the only chance of saving the crew.

Editorial: Have 118 died for Russian pride?


Russia's Northern Fleet at heart of nuclear crisis

Herald Online stories: Russian sub in distress

Russian Centre for Arms Control: OSKAR subs

World Navies Today: Russian subs

Russian Navy official website