Spaw, my (flimsy) understanding was that a British rescue mission was mobilised because a British DSRV could be got to the scene fastest? Are you sure the US could have had one there within 24 hours? Where would it have had to come from, and where would it have been landed?

What has amazed me about the British intervention is that the vessel was flown not to Murmansk but to Trondheim, and is now travelling onwards from there by sea - a journey time of 50 hours. I assume there are logistical reasons why it could not have been flown nearer, but maybe it was to do with security. Anywy I've not seen an explanation.

Ickle Dorrit, just in case you misheard radio reports as I did at first, the Kursk is in the Barents sea - though I realise you may have known this. Just thought I'd mention it, as they sound so similar on the radio. *BG* In fact Barents and Baring are in nearly opposite directions from the north pole. Not sure whether it's relevant for this kind of rescue, but the Barents must be much the colder - all of it is well within the Arctic circle. (I think the Baring is entirely outside the Arctic.)