Marines boarded on the deck of Petr Veliky

14.04.2010 Marine unit being on alert at heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky started full-scale drills. The weather at the Mediterranean is quite appropriate for that purpose.

The unit practice and improve skills of rappel with special ropes, hand-to-hand fighting and, of course, deck landing from helicopter, which is one of marines' main missions.

According to exercise scenario, marines have successfully boarded the "enemy" ship from helicopter Ka-27, and occupied defense positions at aft part.

The primary task of marine unit is to board the ship as rapidly as possible and secure the vessel until main anti-terror/anti-piracy group comes on board.

To carry out this task, helicopter hovers above the deck. Marines one-by-one slide down the rappel rope and secure the deck until arrival of main group. Helicopter is also capable to take away marines from the ship without deck landing. Using windlass, helicopter easily lifts two-by-two marines.

"We practiced boarding of search group as well. Training has successfully passed, all tasks were accomplished. We'd previously trained on land; practiced getting in and out the helicopter to make everyone know his number, route, observing sectors", says Alexander Kolmykov, contract sergeant serving in marine unit.

According to him, the marine unit attached to Petr Veliky consists only of skilled contract servicemen, officers and warrants.

"We're ready to perform any task assigned by the ship command", he added.