Clock Is Ticking For Russian Sub

U.S. Mounts Rescue Effort For 7 Trapped Russian Sailors

(CBS/AP) 
The rescue effort underscores that promises by President Vladimir Putin to improve the navy's equipment have apparently had little effect. Authorities initially said a mini-sub would be sent to try to aid the stranded one, but the navy later said it wasn't equipped to go that deep.

Putin was sharply criticized for his slow response to the Kursk crisis and reluctance to accept foreign assistance. By late Friday, Putin had made no public comment on the latest sinking.

The sailors were in contact with authorities and were not hurt, Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. Alexander Kosolapov said. Their mini-submarine was trapped in Beryozovaya Bay, about 45 miles south of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the capital of the peninsular region in Russia's far east.

The United States and Britain were sending unmanned underwater rescue vehicles called Super Scorpios and Japanese ships also were rushing to the area.

Hughes reports that Super Scorpios, which are remote controlled from the surface, were used a few years ago to survey the damage when a U.S. submarine rammed into a Japanese fishing boat off Hawaii.

This time, rescuers are hoping that when they arrive, their mechanical arms can be used to cut the submarine free.

It was the first time since the World War II era that a U.S. military plane has been allowed to fly to the peninsula, home to numerous Russian military facilities.

“When we got word the Russians were in need, we were more than happy to help out a friend,” said C-5 pilot Lt. Ryan Lindsay at Naval Air Station North Island near San Diego.

The C-5 jet lifted off from North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego Bay after being loaded with the two Super Scorpio vehicles, cameras, cable cutters and arm-like manipulators that might be capable of freeing the submarine. The plane also carried 40 people to operate the vehicles.

The flight to Petropavlovsk on Russia's eastern coast was expected to take 10 to 12 hours. The Scorpios and their equipment will then have to be loaded aboard a vessel and taken to the stricken mini-sub's location.

“We're the 911 force for submarine rescue,” said Navy Capt. Russell Ervin, a reserve with Deep Submergence Unit 5. “In our business, minutes count.”

The British Scorpio, being carried on a Royal Air Force C-17 transport plane, was expected to arrive at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at about 7 p.m. Saturday local time, or 2 a.m. EDT. The U.S. plane was expected to land about 10:30 p.m. local time, or 5:30 a.m. EDT.