Owners of small boats are faced with the need to prepare for navigation, which begins not only with an engine check, but also with a thorough analysis of the contents of the vessel. GEMURE Rules The lack of even one element, such as a life jacket or a scoop, makes a pleasant walk a legal problem when meeting an inspector.
Many anglers and boaters mistakenly believe that it is enough to carry only documents and vests, ignoring the technical means of alarm and rescue. However, the legislation requires a comprehensive approach, where each product has its own purpose and quality standards. What exactly should be in the boat for GIMS this season?You can feel safe on the water and avoid conflicts with the supervisory authorities.
Preparing for the season requires attention to detail, because the availability of the right equipment often depends on the lives of people in an emergency situation. Below we will look at all categories of mandatory items, from documentation to specific equipment for different types of boats.
Mandatory boat documentation
The first thing that the inspector checks the GIMS when stopping a boat is the availability and correctness of the documents. Without them, further checks may not even begin, since getting on the water without registration or rights is a gross violation. All papers must be original or certified copies, and electronic versions on a smartphone, unfortunately, are not taken into account in official water tests.
The owner must have it with him. boat registration certificateThis document must bear the current mark of the annual technical inspection, without which the boat is considered defective. management certificate appropriate category, for example, for a motorboat or jet ski.
Do not forget about the insurance policy. OSAGOIf the boat has an engine with a capacity of more than 3.68 kW (5 hp), as its absence also entails administrative liability, in addition, if the boat is registered to a legal entity, a travel document or other document confirming the legality of the person being stormed will be required.
What to do if you lose your boat registration certificate?
In case of loss of a boat's ticket, you must immediately contact the unit of the GIMS, where the boat was registered, to obtain a duplicate.
The absence of any of these documents gives the inspector the full authority to remove you from control and take the boat to the parking lot, so before each trip to the water, check for a folder of documents in an unwetted bag.
Means of individual salvation
Life jackets are the most important element of equipment, and the requirements for them are strictly regulated: there should be as many vests on board as a person actually is in the boat, including children, and spare vests "just in case" are not counted unless they are distributed in places. It is important that each vest corresponds to the height and weight of a particular passenger, as the wrong size may not save lives at a critical moment.
According to the rules, vests must be certified and have a marking confirming their compliance with the standards. water-safetyThe use of homemade devices or vests for sports (for example, wakeboarding), which are not designed to keep a person afloat in an unconscious state, is not allowed.
- 🛟 The vest should be easily accessible to each passenger, rather than packed in a sealed bag at the bottom of the runduk.
- 🛟 For children, you need to have special children's models with a supporting collar.
- 🛟 Each vest should have reflective elements for visibility in the dark.
Inspectors pay attention not only to the quantity, but also to the condition of life-saving means: torn straps, broken phasers or inflated filler are grounds for a ban on operation. Life jacket This is not just a formality, but a device that will turn a person who fell into the water face up and will not let him choke.
Check the condition of the straps and accessories of the vests before each season: the plastic from ultraviolet light becomes brittle, and the fabric can libel, which is imperceptible during a cursory examination.
Collective life-saving equipment
In addition to individual vests, there must be a means to help a person who is overboard or to signal a distress, such as a lifeline that must be secured in an accessible place, but not in a covered form. Often boat owners forget about the fale (line) that must be attached to the circle, otherwise throwing it without a rope is almost useless.
Another must-have is a scoop, or bumper, if the vessel's design does not allow water to be drawn out by other means. In the case of a boat tipping over or large amounts of water getting inside, this simple tool will help to quickly remove water and maintain buoyancy.
To give an audible signal, a boat must have a whistle or other sound device that works in all weather, and in conditions of fog or poor visibility, it is the audible signal that allows other traffic participants to indicate their location.
- 🔦 The lifeline must be equipped with a line at least 15 meters long.
- 🔦 The snail should be fixed in a prominent place and ready for immediate use.
- 🔦 The whistle should be on the lace and be on the driver's chest or in a prominent place in the cockpit.
☑️ Verification of life-saving appliances
Anchor and towing cable
An anchor is mandatory for all small craft, regardless of their size and engine power. The anchor allows the boat to be fixed in place in case of engine stop, severe weather conditions or the need for assistance. The weight of the anchor and the length of the anchor-liner depend on the length of the vessel's hull, and the use of too light cargo is not allowed.
The towing rope (falin) is also a mandatory equipment list, which is necessary in case of engine failure or other emergency situations requiring towing the vessel to shore, the rope must be of sufficient length and strength to safely tow your vessel in agitation.
| Length of vessel (m) | Min. anchor weight (kg) | Min. line length (m) | Diameter of cable (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 meters. | 1.5 | 15 | 6 |
| 3 - 4 meters | 2.0 | 20 | 8 |
| 4 - 5 meters | 3.0 | 30 | 10 |
| More than 5 meters. | 4.0 | 40 | 12 |
Anchor is checked by the inspector for the integrity and compliance of the dimensions declared in the boat's ticket.
Medical first aid kit and repair kit
Although the composition of the first aid kit is not always strictly checked for each pill, the presence of a complete one. medicine-box It's a safety requirement, and it has to be a means of stopping bleeding, antiseptics, bandages, harnesses and resuscitation, and the aquatic environment dictates that water wounds heal worse and the risk of infection is higher, so there should be enough sterile materials.
In addition to medicine, there should be a minimum set of tools on board to fix engine or hull malfunctions, and the presence of a remix for PVC boats, spare candles, keys and tools for an outboard motor will solve many problems without calling rescuers.
⚠️ Warning: The first aid kit must be in a watertight container and available at any time, not buried under the seats. expired medicines equate to their absence.
For boats with internal combustion engines, the presence of a fire extinguisher is also recommended, although for small vessels this is often recommended, but if checked, the presence of a working fire extinguisher will be a big plus. Repair kit It should correspond to the type of your boat: for PVC - glue and patches, for metal - cold weld or epoxy.
Navigation lights and signalling aids
Going out at night or in conditions of limited visibility (fog, rain) requires the presence of serviceable navigation lights. On a motor boat should burn a topless white light, as well as side lights (red on the left and green on the right).
Signaling means include not only sound but also light signals, and false fires or smoke bombs (red) are mandatory for boats moving a considerable distance from shore, which allow for a distress signal that will be visible from a long distance.
- 🌑 Navigation lights should be in good working order and switch on as needed.
- 🌑 The white light should be ready to use at any time.
- 🌑 Pyrotechnics must have an expired expiration date.
The absence of burning navigation lights at night is one of the most common causes of collisions on the water and a guaranteed fine when meeting a patrol.
GIMS inspectors often check the lighting equipment, including batteries and wiring integrity, and if you plan to swim in the evening, make sure the batteries are sufficiently charged to keep the lights running throughout the night.
Frequent questions about GIMS requirements
Do I need to bring original documents or is there enough photos?
Only original documents or notarized copies are required, photos on the phone, scans in messengers or electronic versions are not legally valid when checking on water and are equated with no documents.
Can I use a baby inflatable circle instead of a vest?
No, inflatable circles, collars and armlets are not certified life jackets; they do not guarantee the safety of a child in the water and are not accepted by GIMS inspectors as a means of individual rescue.
What is the penalty for not wearing a life jacket?
The fine for violation of safety rules on water bodies, including the absence of vests, is from 2 to 5 thousand rubles. If a repeated violation or an emergency situation is created, the amount can be increased, and the right to control can be deprived.
Do I need an anchor for a small inflatable boat?
Yes, an anchor is mandatory for all small craft, regardless of their size, and light boats are only suitable for a light cat anchor or weight, but they must be available.
Is the insurance valid for the motor?
Insurance is mandatory only for boats with an engine capacity of more than 5 horsepower (3.68 kW). For engines of less power and for rowing boats, the policy is not required.