Russian and Norwegian rescue ships hold exercise in the Barents Sea

09.06.2011 Russian and Norwegian search and rescue services will conduct joint exercise in Varangerfjord, Barents Sea during traditional naval exercise Barents-2011, reported Northern Fleet (NF) Information Support Group on June 8.

Russia is represented by NF rescue ship SB-523 and patrol ships Ural and Zapoliarye, civil ships, and FSB helicopters.

"Basically, the bilateral exercise is aimed at cooperation between search and rescue services of the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Norway. It will consist of several episodes including search and picking up people overboard, rendering medical aid to sufferers, interaction between crews of rescue ships and coast guard aviation", said the NF release.

Norway is represented by coast guard ships and helicopters, coastal administration, flight control centers in Bodo and Kirkenes.

International exercise Barents is held annually in accordance with Russian-Norwegian intergovernmental agreement on cooperation while life-saving in the Barents Sea. Traditionally, Russia delegates rescue ships of Northern Fleet.