Russian, NATO officials visited BSF rescue ship attending the Bold Monarch exercise

06.06.2011 Russian Chief of General Staff General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of Russian Navy Main HQ Admiral Alexander Tatarinov, and chairman of NATO Military Committee Admiral Di Paola visited Russian rescue ship Epron in the course of the Bold Monarch-2011 exercise area.

Large-scale international submarine search-and-rescue exercise Bold Monarch-2011 goes on near Spain. Russia is represented by rescue task unit and Black Sea Fleet (BSF) diesel submarine Alrosa; the unit is headed by chief of BSF Search and Rescue Dept Capt 1 rank Damir Shaikhutdinov.

Salvage tug Shakhter held life-saving drill rendering assistance to a man overboard in severe weather conditions. Submarine Alrosa and Italian rescue ship Anteo practiced interaction while rescue operation. Group of Russian BSF officers visited French rescue ship Pourquoi Pas? then.

In accordance with protocol, on board the Russian rescue ship the high-ranking guests were met by honor guards. Generals and admirals inspected the ship which was interacting with Spanish submarine Galerna lying on the seabed. When diving bell was connected to the sub's escape hatch, several Spanish submariners entered it and were lifted on board Russian rescue ship Epron. The operation was shown on video monitors by means of remotely operated submersible Tiger dropped down by the ship. Besides, Russian rescuers demonstrated diving equipment and work of normobaric diving armor designed for deep-water dives.

Gen Nikolai Makarov pointed out after the visit that Russia attaches great importance to the Bold Monarch exercise. "We're building new fleet which cannot exist without advanced and effective rescue assets. Newest rescue ship for Russian Navy was laid down in St. Petersburg, and we plan to equip it with the most up-to-date rescue facilities. So, the experience achieved in this exercise will be helpful. We are here to familiarize with foreign rescue equipment, test compatibility between Russian and foreign rescue systems, coordinate joint actions at sea when rendering help to those who need it. I'm glad that Russia-NATO cooperation has reached the level when the work is aimed at life-saving. It is the most important thing", emphasized Chief of Russian General Staff.

Admiral Di Paola named the Bold Monarch exercise the most peaceful out of all military exercises. As for him, a sailor has no nationality, and ruthless sea is the only enemy which must be overthrown with the view to save human lives.

Later on, Chief of Russian General Staff and NATO officers boarded Norwegian rescue ship Sandefjord. Having familiarized with the ship's equipment, visitors entered manned submersible NSRS (NATO Submarine Rescue System) which afterwards connected to Russian submarine Alrosa lying on the seabed.

The sub and rescue ships will conduct routine maintenance tomorrow; then the exercise will continue.