Alagez Rescue Vessel Joined the Search for Tu-142-M3

VLADIVOSTOK. November 11. VOSTOK-MEDIA – As the search for crew and fragments of the Tu-142-M3 military plane continues, the Russian Pacific Fleet has sent the Alagez rescue ship to the crash site. The anti-submarine plane crashed in the Tatar Strait on Friday.

The rescue vessel is equipped with deep diving remotely operated vehicles - Tiger, Obzor-600 and Obzor-150, manned submersible AS-30 as well as the advanced search and exploration vehicle Kalmar, allowing the rescuers to broaden the range and boost the effectiveness of the underwater search, Pacific Fleet press office told RIA Vostok-Media.

The Alagez rescue vessel reached the probable crash area and, despite the bad weather, rescuers set to work.

“At present rescue workers focus on the search for the flight data recorders, the so-called “black boxes”. The devices are capable of storing information under the aggressive influences, including the salty sea water for a long time,” – the press office stated.

It should be recalled that on November 6 Tu-142 was on a routine mission in the Tatar Strait when the plane dropped suddenly off the radar screens. According to the update information, there were 11 crew members on board.

The Russia’s Ministry of Defense launched the search sending several planes, helicopter and Pacific Fleet ships. In addition, two passenger ferries Sakhalin 9 and Sakhalin 10 and depot tugs were involved in the search-and-rescue operation.

A few hours later some bodies were found on the crash scene.