Russian Mini-Sub crew saved, but debate begins
(07.08.2005)

A British Scorpio underwater robot came to the rescue of the trapped Russian Mini-Sub and its seven crew and successfully managed to cut the Sub free from the cables that had held it for 76 hours.

The crew of the Mini-Sub were taken to hospital for observation, but it is believed that they are all in good health.

Although there was very little doubt that the Sub would be freed, the main worry was whether this would happen before the air supply aboard the Mini-Sub ran out. By most accounts, the rescue came with about a day to spare.

Thankfully, perhaps remembering the Kursk submarine tragedy 5 years ago, the Russian authorities requested help much more quickly this time and this action almost certainly contributed to the crews survival.

However, although this accident had a much happier ending, some politicians plan to discuss this incident in the Russian parliament. Gennady Zyuganov, the Communist party leader, raised the question of why Britain should have the technology to carry out such a rescue, but Russia has not. Zyuganov added "If we can't make effective rescue equipment ourselves, we need to buy it abroad"

Unfortunately, having a back-up plan is not always a priority that is high on a Russian list. Perhaps this is a failing from old Soviet times when leaders led people to believe that Soviet made products were the best in the World and why would anything go wrong? Or it could be a case of simply cutting corners (which is more likely).

Maybe, after this latest event, the authorities will have a rethink about safety equipment?

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