"When a nuclear weapons-capable submarine sinks uncontrolled in international waters, this is the kind of accident that creates international interest-politically as well as militarily. Are there any lessons to be learned for the participants after such an operation that can improve international co-operation in rescues at sea, if taken seriously? There is a lot that can be done, but first of all we have to recognise and agree on the problems to be faced. We must recognise that such operations include military and civilian authorities in the decision process. There is an economic and a political side that must be sorted out. We have to consider how to handle not having common procedures. How do we handle not having a common language? Do we have sufficient communication in Artic areas? How do we connect military/civil communications? How do we handle the media? Who is responsible for communicating with the media? How do we manage to get amateur guessers away from the media? How do we establish a platform of trust between participating authorities and nations good enough to accept common decisions?" Accession No.1155. Koper, K. D. et al 'Forensic seismology and the sinking of the Kursk.' Revised version of EOS manuscript, January 4, 2001. "On August 10, 2000, Russia's Northern Fleet began its largest naval exercise in more than a decade. Among the vessels taking part was the heavily armed Kursk an Oscar class submarine that was the most modern cruise-missile submarine in the fleet. Beginning on August 14 a series of press reports indicated that the Kursk had been severely damaged during the exercise and that the crew were likely dead. By August 17 news agencies were reporting that seismic networks in the Baltic area had detected two seismic events, which appeared to correspond to the Kursk disaster in time and space. Specifically, the seismic events were consistent with BBC reports on the location of ongoing rescue efforts. The fact that this section of the Barents Sea is essentially aseismic added credence to the assertion that the seismic events were directly related to the sinking of the Kursk."