Missing Tourist Search Ends: Ice-Floating Regulation in Focus

In the Murmansk region, the active phase of the search operation for missing tourist from Belarus Vera Kurlyandchik has been completed. The woman was searched for since the beginning of January, but the search did not yield results. The tragedy beyond the Arctic Circle has become not only a personal drama for one family but also a reason for serious discussion about safety, responsibility of organizers, and the lack of clear rules in the new tourism industry. Details are in the material from our colleagues at 51.RU.

What Happened

Vera Kurlyandchik, a 57-year-old tourist from Belarus, was searched for by rescuers and volunteers for over a week. They examined dozens of kilometers of shoreline and riverbed, section by section. The emergency occurred on the Tuloma River—one of the most dangerous rivers in Murmansk Oblast.

The Tuloma is known for strong underwater currents and the fact that it does not freeze even at temperatures down to minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22°F). It was here that Vera participated in ice-floating, during which she was swept away by the current. The search was complicated by harsh northern conditions—severe frost and polar night. Despite the scale of the operation, the tourist has not yet been found.

Beautiful Picture and Hidden Risks

Ice-floating is a relatively new entertainment for Russia, coming from Scandinavia. It is often presented as a safe and even relaxing format of rest: participants in special sealed suits lie on the water surface among ice floes, observe the sky and northern nature.

However, the tragedy on the Tuloma showed that behind the spectacular picture and popularity on social networks, negligence and disregard for basic safety rules are often hidden.

The extreme tour was found through a popular classifieds website. The cost—4,000 rubles (approximately $44 at current rates) per person, paid in cash. Tourists were not given receipts or service agreements. There was no briefing: the guide immediately suggested putting on the equipment and going to the swimming site. This was reported by the publication «REN-TV».

Swim Without Insurance

Tourists were brought to Pervomaysky Beach in Murmansk. On site, there were neither rescue posts nor buoys in the water area. During the entertainment, participants lie on their backs, floating among ice floes. It is extremely difficult to get out of the water independently in such a suit.

A group of five or more people was monitored by only one instructor, who was in the water. Experts emphasize: in case of an emergency, this may not be enough.

Chairman of the All-Russian Movement for Fleet Support (Obshcherossiyskoye dvizheniye podderzhki flota) Vladimir Maltsev told the publication «REN TV» that for conducting such events, it is necessary to study the water area in advance and ensure a full-fledged safety system. Without preparation, instructors physically cannot quickly help a person in the water.

Criminal Case

Guide Andrei Spiridonov, who released tourists into the Tuloma River, has become a suspect in a criminal case. Journalists from 51.RU contacted him by phone, but he refused any comments.

On the website uslugi.yandex.ru, you can find advertisements with services from Andrei Spiridonov. The description claims: he is an experienced, certified guide with ten years of work experience.

The investigation established that the wetsuits he offered to tourists did not undergo mandatory annual inspection. Their use was prohibited.

What is Known About Vera Kurlyandchik

According to information from the publication «REN-TV», Vera Kurlyandchik was 57 years old. In Belarus, she worked as a nurse in a hospital. She is survived by two adult daughters. According to relatives and colleagues, Vera traveled a lot, skied, went hiking, and loved active recreation.

«Vera Vladimirovna was the kind of person who was aware of her actions and deeds,» noted colleague Olga Alferovich. Vera«s sister Tatiana adds: »I believe that the organization of this entire tourist event is absolutely disgusting, it«s just terrible. The instructor did not enter the water, there was no rescue boat, not even ordinary ropes.»

No License—No Rules

Today, organizing ice-floating in Russia does not require a license. Most often, organizers are guides who have only completed basic training courses. At the same time, there are no unified federal safety standards for this type of recreation.

After the tragedy in the Murmansk region, regional authorities began work on measures to improve safety of ice-floating. At the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Entrepreneurship, an interdepartmental meeting was held with the participation of representatives of the regional government, EMERCOM, transport police, municipalities, the tourism community, and companies working with this format.

Regional authorities hope that the developed measures will help preserve the tourist attractiveness of the Murmansk region and reduce possible risks for extreme recreation enthusiasts.

Where is the Boundary Between Format and Risk

Ice-floating in the Murmansk region exists in different formats, and there is a fundamental difference between them.

In the region, there are operators offering structured programs with briefing, control, and accompaniment. One well-known example is Arctic Safari, organizing group ice-floating in the Kola Bay. The program includes briefing, changing into a sealed suit, swimming under instructor control, and hot tea after exiting the water. Total duration is about 2 hours, cost on average from 4,900 to 5,500 rubles (approximately $54 to $61 at current rates). This format is often chosen by tourists who want a vivid experience without complex logistics.

There are also short urban formats—ice-floating near the shore of Murmansk. These are quick immersions without an excursion part, but with equipment and instructor accompaniment, price is 4,000 rubles (approximately $44 at current rates). Such options are often chosen by those who want to try the format within the city.

Moreover, seasonal author tours appear, published on tourist aggregators. They usually involve swimming near an equipped section of the shore, instructor accompaniment, and staying in the water from 30 to 60 minutes. The cost of such programs is about 4,000 rubles (approximately $44 at current rates) per person.

A separate direction is projects specializing specifically in ice-floating. For example, Ice Float Teriberka offers swimming in the Barents Sea in sealed suits for about an hour, cost is from 4,000 rubles (approximately $44 at current rates).

«It»s a High, Not Fear«

Anna Pavlova, district representative for the Northwestern Federal District of the Rosmolodezh community of young entrepreneurs, shared her experience of safe ice-floating. She tried this format twice in Murmansk, on Pribrezhka, in the shallow water zone.

According to her, participants were in sealed rescue suits used on ships, and all were tied with safety ropes to the shore. An instructor in a special suit was constantly in the water, monitoring the time and condition of the group. Anna vividly describes her sensations:

Key safety factors, according to her, were precisely the insurance, proximity to the shore, and constant control by instructors.

«Everyone Thinks They Will Be Swept Out to Sea»

Head of rescue training, former Navy officer Tikhon Nikolaev explained why the safe Arctic relaxation is now under threat of disappearance.

«Of course, demand has changed. Of course, there are more questions. And there are fewer willing participants. Now everyone thinks they will be swept out to sea,» says Tikhon.

According to him, previously ice-floating was actively included in tourist programs as a format of unusual relaxation. However, after the tragedy, tour firms one after another began to refuse this activity.

Teriberka Scenario: Easier to Exclude Than Explain

Tikhon compares the situation with ice-floating to trips to Teriberka (a village in Murmansk Oblast), which tour firms are increasingly removing from programs due to constant road closures.

«Even with a small wind, the road is closed, often without warning. Tourists are dissatisfied, plans collapse, and the tour firm ends up being blamed. Therefore, many simply exclude Teriberka to avoid scandals. The same thing is now happening with ice-floating,» notes our interlocutor.

In the instructor«s opinion, it is unknown how much time it will take for tourists» trust to be restored.

«What, Don»t You Know People Get Swept Away?«

To attract tourists again, according to Tikhon, it will be necessary to advertise the service as a safe way to relax, but in the current situation, this is difficult. Even publishing photos of happy clients causes negative comments.

«What, don»t you know people get swept away? Do you there deliberately want to ruin people?« — the instructor cites people»s comments.

Tikhon added that local residents of Murmansk might have wanted to try ice-floating earlier, but now have become more cautious. Among tourists, there remain those who do not know about the tragedy that occurred.

«Now almost the entire Kola Bay has frozen, where we swim, there is ice everywhere, all around. Accordingly, we break the ice, and people lie in the ice and enjoy, and it»s warm, good for them there, they enjoy this relax-effect in Arctic waters.«

Safety—Main Priority

All instructors work together, are in the water in wetsuits, and monitor tourists. Our interlocutor noted that there have appeared unscrupulous performers who offer a low price but ignore safety measures, simply changing tourists and sending them into the water.

«I have a warm van, lighting, additional waterproof suits, socks, gloves, hats. There are ropes, rescue rings. I myself am also in a hydrotherm suit. We take photos, warm up, dance. And then we go and lie down in the water,» Tikhon said.

Due to the high cost of organizing safe ice-floating, orders have decreased, and tour firms continue to be cautious about including this service in their programs.

Who Ice-Floating is Contraindicated For

Even with all safety measures observed, ice-floating is not suitable for everyone. Swimming in icy water is not recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and hypotension, as well as pregnant women.

People with epilepsy are contraindicated for this format due to the risk of seizures in cold water. Only adults can participate in ice-floating: suits are designed for adults. In case of minors participating, parental consent is required, but in practice, such cases are extremely limited.

Experts agree: risk is present in any sphere of life, but it should not be a consequence of irresponsibility. While ice-floating in the Murmansk region remains in a gray area without unified safety standards, which regional authorities must develop to ensure such tragedies never repeat.

After the case in the Polar region, residents of the Arkhangelsk region began refusing ice-floating.

Earlier we showed and told how winter swimming in wetsuits takes place in Arkhangelsk. Watch how local ice-floating works.