LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: The whole world learned recently just how dangerous submarines can be and how difficult it is to get help from the outside world. This week, off the southern coast of Turkey, three NATO allies are practicing the art of submarine rescue, and CNN's Richard Blystone is there.</s>RICHARD BLYSTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When something goes wrong, and the water that hides you becomes your enemy, then you know what lonely is. Diving to the rescue, a mini submarine called Sierra III (ph). But it's not over yet.</s>ROB STEVENS, REAR ADMIRAL, BRITISH ROYAL NAVY: It's a terrible tragedy. And I think most of us really feel very sorry for the families and those that lost their lives; so yes, any submariner will tell you he feels it deeply.</s>BLYSTONE (voice-over): The Kursk disaster spotlighted the question of submarine rescue and the many problems that go with it. The U.S. Navy's 30-year-old submarine Mystic, flown all the way from California, developed propulsion problems and will be out of action nearly a week. It may be training, but nothing can make it routine. Sierra III has equipment problems. Good luck. The simulated emergency leaves the Sakaria able to communicate.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Position is...</s>BLYSTONE: The standard language between Turk and Italian is English. Standard, too, the markings on the sub and the procedures. Sierra III pilot Lt. Bruno Russo (ph) inches toward the target. Sweltering in the tiny sub, he approaches again and again. After an hour and a dozen tries: Ships of two NATO nations clasp hatches in friendship. Three Turkish submariners climb into the mini sub. In practice, at least, it worked. Richard Blystone, CNN, in the Eastern Mediterranean.
NATO Allies Test Submarine Rescue Operations