Pacific Fleet Rescuers Picked Up "Spacecraft"

19.10.2012 Pacific Fleet (PF) rescue service on Oct 18 held an exercise in the Ussuri Gulf. According to scenario, a descent module with astronauts splashed down in the PF responsibility area. Naval aircraft were dispatched to the estimated landing zone, and then three rescue ships headed for the site.

Having analyzed the information received from coordination center, naval pilots detected the "spacecraft" and transmitted coordinates to the rescue ships. The spacecraft was imitated by a full-size dummy.

Seagoing rescue ship Sayani, special-purpose diving craft VM-20 and hydrographic ship Antarktida arrived at the landing site. Taking into account sea disturbances and strong sidewind, the mission HQ decided to sweep and pick up the "spacecraft" at low speed.

Divers of fast-speed motorboats were involved in the operation as well; if needed, they could assist "astronauts" in the water.

Such drills are held several times a year, given that Pacific Fleet is one of duty services responsible for assistance to spacecraft. Whenever Russia launches space rockets, PF rescue assets are always on duty at sea.

According to acting chief of PF Search and Rescue Dept Capt 1 Rank Denis Korneychuk, the exercise was successful. Interaction amid the fleet's duty officer, naval aircraft, and rescue assets was practiced once again.