Rivers of Russia have been opened for small-size sporting and pleasure boats under a foreign flag, which are not engaged in commerce.
The new rules apply to all travel, sport and recreational vessels under foreign flags, which can accommodate up to 18 people, including not more than 12 passengers. The owners of these boats will be able to get permission to enter inland waters of our country under a simplified procedure.
Earlier for many years Russian rivers have been practically closed for foreign ship owners. Under the old rules there was an obligation to take on board a Russian pilot.
Under the new law, foreign boat can pass a customs examination at a sea port and if a Russian-speaking crew member who can operate the ship is on board, this ship is allowed to sail in Russian waters in the central part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East.
Experts do not expect a foreign visitors’ boom immediately after the entry into force of new rules. The number of visits will be from one hundred to one thousand per year. Nevertheless, the authorities expect that the new law will become another impetus for the development of inbound tourism in Russia: it is assumed that the crew members will visit the tourist attractions of our country during a yachting trip. www.atorus.ru
