ATTEMPTS by four docking craft to reach Russia’s stricken nuclear submarine failed overnight as hopes that the surviving members of the 118 crew might be saved became increasingly pinned on foreign rescuers. British and Norwegian teams were racing to reach the Kursk, which has been gradually sinking into the sandy bed of the Barents Sea since Saturday. Defence experts from Jane’s Information Group in London, however, said after viewing Russian film of rescue efforts, that up to 70% of the crew might have been killed because of the extent of the damage to the craft. Today was initially cited by rescuers as the day when the vessel’s oxygen would run out, although navy chief Vladimir Kuroyedov later said the air supply might last into next week. – Reuters