Navigation for small vessels will open on April 25.

      Today, Regina Gayazova, head of the department for the safety of people on water bodies of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan, announced this during a briefing for media representatives held at the information platform of IA "Tatar-Inform." The representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reminded that according to paragraph 2.2 of the Rules for the Use of Water Bodies for Swimming on Small Vessels in the Republic of Tatarstan (approved by the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan dated October 15, 2007, No. 562), swimming of small vessels on navigable water bodies is allowed from the moment navigation opens until it closes, provided that floating navigation signs are in place, and on non-navigable ones - after the floodwaters recede until the onset of ice formation. The dates for the start and end of navigation for small vessels are from April 25 to November 1. Regina Gayazova also reported that all water bodies and watercourses in the republic have been completely cleared of ice. On navigable water bodies, floating navigation signs have already been installed almost everywhere, except for the Vyatka River, where the relevant work will be completed by April 25.

      - However, when going out on the water, boaters must remember that during the flood period, a lot of various debris - logs, branches, sticks, and more - enters the water from the shore. Collisions with them while moving on a small vessel can lead not only to damage to the vessel but also to tragic consequences. In the event of a capsized boat, people will find themselves in cold water, the temperature of which does not exceed 8 degrees, and this is certain death from hypothermia if no one provides assistance in time, - warned boat owners Regina Gayazova.

      - Unfortunately, such incidents with small vessels during the interseason (spring and autumn) are registered annually, averaging from 2 to 5 cases. The main reasons are falling into the water due to violations of maneuvering rules, exceeding speed limits, and ignorance of the current hydrometeorological situation in the area of navigation, as well as ignoring safety rules for oneself and passengers. This year, 2 incidents have been registered due to non-compliance with the rules for using small vessels on water bodies.

      On April 17, two residents of the Republic of Bashkortostan went fishing on a PVC motorboat on the Ik River in the Menzelinsk District. After that, they stopped communicating. As a result of search operations, their boat was found, and 150 meters away, rescuers discovered the body of a man born in 1989, without a life jacket. The body of the second fisherman has not yet been found. The cause of the incident was non-compliance with the rules for using small vessels on water bodies.

      On April 18, two men went out on a motorboat on the Volga River near the Dubki-2 gardening community in Kazan. During the movement, the small vessel capsized. One of them swam to the shore by himself, but the fate of the man born in 1957 turned out to be sadder. Without a life jacket, he drowned. The cause of the incident was non-compliance with the rules for using small vessels on water bodies.

      In connection with these incidents, a decision was made to initiate an administrative offense case and conduct an administrative investigation.

      - The main violations identified during patrols also indicate non-compliance with safety requirements by boaters, - continued the representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. - During the navigation period last year, 1,363 violations were identified (compared to 1,047 the previous year), of which:

      - 583 boaters violated swimming rules (43% of the total number of violations),

      - 377 boaters did not ensure their own safety and the safety of passengers (lack of life jackets - 28% of the total number of violations).

      The basis of safety is a life jacket! If people did not neglect this simple safety rule, the tragic outcomes would be significantly fewer.

      I remind you that from March 1, 2026, the Order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia dated July 22, 2025, No. 636 "On the Approval of the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels on Water Bodies" will come into force. In the edited version of this order, a clause on the mandatory use of life jackets by boat owners and passengers not only during movement on a small vessel but also while anchored has appeared. This requirement was not previously in place; now it is mandatory for compliance.

      I will also announce a few more innovations:

      1. The use of jet skis on water bodies is allowed only during daylight hours;

      2. It is prohibited to transport children under 7 years old on a small vessel without the accompaniment of an adult, while the boater operating the small vessel is not considered such an accompanying person;

      3. Boat operators are required to take measures to provide first aid to victims in accidents or incidents involving small vessels related to the movement of small vessels, which may lead to death or injury to people.

      I also remind you of the main rules for using small vessels:

      Boaters must have the following documents with them while sailing:

      1) a certificate of the right to operate a small vessel;

      2) a ship ticket;

      3) documents confirming the right of ownership, use, and disposal of the managed small vessel (in the absence of the owner on the small vessel).

      In the case of operating small vessels that are not subject to state registration in the register of small vessels, the person operating such small vessels must have an identity document with them.

      Boaters must:

      1) comply with the requirements of the rules for using small vessels on water bodies;

      2) check the seaworthiness of the small vessel and its mechanisms, the availability of necessary equipment, rescue means, and other supplies in accordance with Articles 4, 5 of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union before going out to sea;

      3) ensure the safety of passengers during boarding, disembarking, and while on the small vessel, as well as for persons on devices towed by the small vessel (water skis, wakeboards, lifting and towing systems, inflatable towed devices, sail-parachute devices).

      It is prohibited:

      - to enter small vessels and maneuver in the waters of beaches and other places of mass recreation of the population on water bodies;

      - to tow devices with small vessels or approach small vessels closer than 50 meters to the boundary of the water area designated for swimming and other swimming areas.

      When moving within the boundaries of ports, bases (structures) for the mooring of small vessels, beaches, and other places of mass recreation of the population on water bodies, the small vessel must move at a safe speed that excludes wave formation, - noted the head of the department for the safety of people on water bodies.

      At the end of the briefing, Regina Gayazova provided statistics on incidents on water bodies in the Republic of Tatarstan since the beginning of the year.

      - Since the beginning of the year, 7 incidents have been registered on water bodies, resulting in the deaths of 4 people and the rescue of 6 people. In addition to the two tragic cases involving small vessels mentioned, 1 person fell through the ice, and another fell into the water from the shore.

      In the same period last year, 19 incidents were registered with 11 fatalities. 16 were rescued.