The docking of the Kursknuclear submarine has been postponed until next week because the Russian navy says it needs more time to prepare.
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The Kursk sub before its ill-fated final voyage
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The decision was made at the request of Dutch engineers.
Dutch and Russian experts have begun attaching the two huge pontoons needed to hoist the submarine into dry dock at a ship-repair plant near Murmansk.
Northern Fleet spokesman Captain Vladimir Navrotsky said the Dutch engineers want to make additional calculations and checks to ensure the bulky combination of barge, submarine and pontoons enters the dock without a hitch.
"Because of the unique character and complexity of the docking, we agreed to perform it next week," Capt Navrotsky said. "There must be no rush".
Earlier this week, the remains of the Kurskwere raised from the Barents Sea by a Dutch consortium.
The unprecedented salvage operation took place more than a year after the Kursksank, killing all its crew of 118.
PA