Four multifunctional boats, transferred by Russia to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia, are being put into operation. They will be used for inspecting the water area and for emergency response. This was announced by the Minister for Emergency Situations of Abkhazia, Alisa Avidzbа.
The boats were transferred after the appeal of the Prime Minister of Abkhazia, Vladimir Delba, to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin. Russian President Vladimir Putin found such an opportunity, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia was reinforced with four boats. Two new fire trucks also arrived, which will be put on active duty in the coming days.
According to Avidzbа, one boat will remain in Sukhumi, and three will be distributed among the districts. They will be used for inspecting the water area, rescue operations on water bodies, and search operations. The Minister called this an important event for the republic: previously, for the entire 200-kilometer coastline, watercraft were only available in Sukhumi. The replenishment, according to her, will significantly increase the capabilities for ensuring water safety and rapid response to challenges.
The head of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia, Tengiz Sabua, noted that boats are especially needed in summer when the number of small vessels increases. He said that inspectors regularly check the documentation and technical condition of vessels — either independently or jointly with the Border Guard Directorate of the FSB of Russia in Abkhazia, and with the appearance of new boats, they will do this more often. Sabua called the transferred boats mobile and convenient: during emergencies, it is possible to quickly go to sea, and divers and rescuers will be able to fully perform their duties.