Navigation season is in full swing, and thousands of owners of watercraft are rushing to obtain or confirm their rights to operate small vessels. GIMS exam This is not just a formality, but a mandatory procedure that confirms your ability to safely manage. motorboat In 2026, the requirements for candidates remain high, and the questions on tickets cover a wide range of knowledge, from the rules of swimming to the basics of first aid.
Preparing for testing requires a systematic approach, because random guesses will not help here - an automated system strictly monitors the number of errors. In this article, we will analyze the structure of exam tickets, provide relevant answers and analyze typical mistakes that beginners make. To successfully pass in 2026, you must correctly answer at least 7 of the 8 questions of the ticket (one error is allowed).
Keeping up-to-date information on navigation signs, audible signals and divergence priorities is critical not only for obtaining a certificate, but also for water safety. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you in the examination class and how to effectively prepare for an appointment with an inspector.
Structure of examination tickets and rules of delivery
The examination process at the State small craft Inspectorate (SIS) is strictly regulated and conducted in an automated mode. The applicant is offered a random ticket containing 8 questions, each of which has several options for answering the questions covered by administrative legislation, navigation rules, material part of the vessel and basics of safety on the water.
Time to complete The test is limited, usually 20 minutes, which requires the tester not only knowledge, but also composure. Questions are often accompanied by illustrations of navigation signs or boat divergence patterns, so visual perception of information plays an important role. Mistaking the.side (left/right) side or color of the lights can cost you the ID.
⚠️ Attention: If two or more errors are made in one ticket, the exam is considered unpassed, and retake is possible no earlier than in 7 calendar days.
Particular attention should be paid to issues related to Code of Administrative Offences (CAP)Inspectors often include questions about the size of fines for not wearing life jackets or not registering, and understanding legal liability helps you remember the rules better, as you are aware of the consequences of breaking them.
Swimming rules and priorities of divergence
The bulk of tickets is devoted to the Inland Waterway Rules (VVWP), where it is important to clearly understand who should give way to whom in various situations, for example, a vessel cruising along the fairway always has an advantage over a vessel leaving a draught or approaching shore. Right-hand rule The second is the basic: when two boats approach each other on the intersecting courses, the one who sees the other on his right is inferior.
Sound alarms are the language in which captains communicate. A short tone means a right-handed change, two short ones to the left, and three short ones signal the reverse engine ("Reverse"). Confusion of signals can lead to collisions, so you need to know them by heart. Tickets often have tasks to determine the actions of the boatmaster at certain sound signals.
- 🚦 Single vessel: The right side of the fairway should be kept.
- 🚤 Small craft: shall not interfere with the movement of a large fleet and boats following the fairway.
- ⚓ Anchorage: prohibited in narrownesses, on the fairway and in places marked by prohibitive signs.
There are special rules for crossing bridges and locks, speeds should be reduced, and maneuvering should be agreed with the signaler or dispatcher.
What to do when you diverge from a sailboat?
When a motor boat diverges, it must give way to a sailing boat if the latter is not powered by the engine. However, if the sailboat is powered by the engine, it is equated with a motor boat, and the general rules of priority apply (who is on the right is right, or who is on the fairway).
Navigation signs and lights of small vessels
The ability to read river signs is a skill without which going out into the water is dangerous. The lush fairway designation system uses red and green. As you move upstream (from mouth to source), red signs (cubic, ball) should stay on the left side, and green (conical) on the right side. When you go downstream, the situation is mirrored.
At night or in poor visibility, the color scheme is replaced by lights; red light points to the left side of the fairway; green to the right; a single white light can indicate a milestone with a top-end light or a special vessel; mistaken interpretation of the color or shape of a sign is the most common cause of errors in GIMS tickets.
The small vessel itself must also be equipped with running lights: a motor boat less than 12 meters long can carry a tops white light and side lights (red left, green right) or one combined light. The absence of lights at night is a direct violation of the rules, followed by a fine and possible detention of the vessel.
| Type of sign | Colour | Form | Side of passage (upstream) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying. | Red. | Cube | Left (left side) |
| Floating sign | Green. | cone | Right (starboard) |
| Pile sign | Red/Green | Triangle/Square | Depends on the color. |
| Rollover fence | Red/Green | Other. | Departure from the said side |
It is important to distinguish between signs indicating restricted areas (bathing, anchorage, motor boat passage) and signs indicating direction, for example, the sign "Bathing is forbidden" looks like a crossed out person swimming, and the sign "Passage is forbidden" - like a red circle with a white horizontal stripe.
Construction and operation of small vessels
The technical part of the exam tests the knowledge of the outboard motor and the boat itself. two-stroke and four-stroke enginesThe main difference between two-strokes is the need to mix gasoline with oil in a certain proportion (usually 1:25 or 1:50 depending on the model), while four-stroke oil is poured separately into the crankcase.
Special attention is paid to the cooling system: water-cooled motors (off-shore water) require checking the control jet ("urinal") after starting. The absence of a jet indicates a malfunction of the pump or clogging of the water intake, which can lead to overheating and jamming of the piston in minutes.
- ⛽ Fuel system: You need to check the tightness of the hoses and the absence of the smell of gasoline in the hold before starting.
- 🔋 Electrical equipment: The contacts must be protected from oxidation and the battery is securely secured.
- 🚣 Spinning screws: Check for chipping and winding fishing lines that may damage the glands.
⚠️ Attention: Starting the engine out of water ("dry") is allowed only for a very short time (literally a few seconds to check the spark) and only with the water supplied to the cooling fitting, otherwise the water pump will fail.
Tickets also contain questions about the stability of the vessel, and shifting passengers to one side, sudden movements or improper loading can lead to a rollover. Centre of gravity It must always be below the centre of buoyancy to ensure stability.
☑️ Checking the boat before getting on the water
Rescue and first aid
Safety on the water is priority number one. In 2026, the GIMS tickets deal with personal protective equipment, the life jacket must be matched to the weight and height of the person, have proper belts and whistles, inflatable vests require regular checks of gas cans and no punctures.
If a person falls overboard, the algorithm must be worked out to be automatic, the first thing to do is to shout out loud, "Man overboard!" to get attention, and throw a lifeline or end to the victim. The maneuver to return to the fallen person depends on the type of vessel and conditions, but the main rule is not to lose visual contact with the person in the water.
First aid includes resuscitation skills, it is important to clear the airways of water and mud when drowning, then proceed to artificial respiration and indirect heart massage, and tickets ask about the correct position of the hands during massage (at the border of the middle and lower sternum) and the frequency of pressing (100-120 per minute).
Always keep a knife on board to cut entangled gear or nets - this can save lives in an emergency.
Table of fines and boatmaster's liability
Knowledge of the law is a mandatory part of training: fines for violations of the rules of the GIMS increased significantly in 2026, and can reach several thousand rubles. The most common violations are related to the lack of registration of the vessel, management rights or life jackets.
Below is a table of the main violations and sanctions that often appear in the examination questions. Please note that fines can be imposed on both the skipper and the owner of the vessel.
| Violation | Article of the Cao | The amount of the fine (ruble) | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governance without a license | 11.8 a.m. 2 | 2 000 – 3 000 | Detention of the vessel |
| Lack of life jackets | 11.8 a.m. 3 | 2 000 – 3 000 | No. |
| Violation of navigation rules | 11.8 a.m. 4 | 500 – 1 000 | No. |
| Lack of registration | 11.8 a.m. 1.1 | 1 500 – 2 000 | Detention of the vessel |
It is worth noting that repeated violation within a year can lead to more severe punishment, up to deprivation of the right to drive.
Regular update of the law and rules of swimming is the best insurance against fines and accidents on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many mistakes can be made when taking the exam in GIMS?
Only one error is allowed on an 8-question ticket, and if you make a mistake twice or more, the exam will be considered untaken and you will have to make an appointment for a retake.
Do I need to take the exam again if my license has been lost?
No, if you lose your boatmaster's license, you do not need to take the exam again. It is enough to apply to the GIMS with an application for a duplicate, providing a passport and a receipt for payment of the state duty.
Are rights acquired in the USSR or the early Russian Federation valid in 2026?
Certificates issued before 2015 (indefinite) are formally valid, but inspectors often require them to be replaced with a new format for any document verification or renewal. expired certificates (10 years) require retraining and examination.
Can I take the GIMS exam online?
The theoretical part in some regions can be handed over remotely through the portal of public services (if such an option is available in your subject), but the practical driving skill in any case will have to demonstrate personally to the inspector on the water.
What is the minimum engine power requirement?
The rights of category "M" (small motorized vessels) are required for the operation of a boat with an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.88 hp) or if the weight of the equipped vessel exceeds 200 kg.