The navigation season opens up new opportunities for water transport owners, but it also imposes serious obligations to the law. small-boat It means not only enjoying the water, but also following safety rules. Owners of light inflatable boats often wonder how tightly they are controlled by inspectors and what they are required to carry on board. Despite the popular belief that a low-powered inflatable boat is of no interest to regulators, reality dictates its terms.
Modern legislation clearly regulates the list of what should be included with the boat, and the absence of even one item from the mandatory list can lead to the issuance of an administrative fine or, in the worst case, a ban on further operation. Up to 10 hp. It is often considered a threshold, but this does not relieve the owner of the need to carry life jackets, anchors and signalling equipment. It is important to understand that the requirements of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels are aimed primarily at preserving the life and health of people on the water.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what items and documents are necessary for legal venturing. We will consider not only the dry requirements of the laws, but also the practical aspects of the equipment. fly-boatProper preparation for the season will allow you to avoid unpleasant dialogues with inspectors and feel confident in any situation in the water area.
Mandatory set of documents on board
The first thing that starts with any inspection of a small vessel is documentation, and the inspector of GIMS has every right to demand papers proving your identity and right to operate the vessel. Even if you are 50 meters from the shore, the absence of documents is equivalent to their absence. boat registration certificateThis document is issued after the vessel is registered with the GIMS and contains the basic technical specifications of your boat, including the number assigned during registration.
A second critical document is a small boat license. A motorboat with a power of more than 10 hp (or a combined power of more than 10 hp with multiple engines) requires a category of license. However, if your engine is up to 10 hp inclusive, then formally a category M (motor boat) license may not be required unless the vessel is used for commercial purposes and does not exceed a certain size. But inspectors often recommend that you carry at least a copy of your passport or driver's license to identify your identity.
Also in the set of documents should be an instruction for operation boat and These documents confirm that you are using the equipment for its intended purpose and within its technical capabilities. The inspector can check the engine number with the data in the product passport, so the original or certified copy of the PTS (passport of the technical equipment) on the engine must also be available.
⚠️ Attention: Keep all documents in a sealed bag or waterproof case, getting moisture on paper media can lead to their deterioration, and the absence of a readable boat's ticket is equated with its absence, which entails a fine.
Although the CMTPL for small craft in Russia is still voluntary (except for some regions or uses), having a small craft owner’s civil liability policy will make life much easier in the event of a water accident.
Requirements for life-saving appliances and vests
Safety of people on the water is the number one priority, so the requirements for life-saving appliances are the most stringent. This is not a recommendation, but a requirement, and the number of vests must be strictly consistent with the number of passengers declared on the boat's ticket or the actual presence of people on board.
The vests must meet certain standards. They must be in good working order, with full straps and clasps. It is unacceptable to use homemade vests or vests that have not been certified. The inspector may require that the vest be marked to GOST. It is important to understand that the vest should not be just "in a jounduk somewhere", but should be in an accessible place so that in an emergency it can be quickly worn.
In addition to personal life-saving equipment, there must be a rescue device on board in case a person falls overboard. life-spin Lin should be equipped with a float and have a length sufficient to safely remove a person from the water from the board of an inflatable vessel, usually 20-25 meters.
- 🛟 Life jacket: It must be for each person on board, the size must be appropriate to the size of the owner.
- ⛑️ Lifeline: It is mandatory for boats used at night or in difficult conditions, but always desirable.
- 🪢 Lifeline: It should lie in an easily accessible place, not be confused and have a float.
- 🆘 Signal: smoke bomb or torch required to give a distress signal.
Special attention should be paid to the condition of the vests. If the foam inside the vest is clumped or the tissue is severely damaged, such a vest is not considered an effective life-saving tool. The inspector has the right to remove faulty equipment and prohibit access to the water until violations are corrected. Remember that the water counts for minutes, and the serviceability of the vest can save lives.
Anchor and scoop
An anchor is a mandatory element of any small vessel, including light PVC boats. The main function of an anchor is to keep the vessel in place during wind or current, as well as when the engine stops. For inflatable boats, the weight of the anchor is usually calculated by the formula: 1 kg of anchor weight per 1 meter of the vessel hull length. However, light PVC boats often use cat anchors or folding anchors, the weight of which may be less, but they must provide reliable retention.
The anchor wire must also be compliant, at least three lengths of the vessel, and its strength must withstand the load necessary to hold the boat; the use of thin lines or rotten rope is unacceptable; the anchor must be securely fixed in the bow of the vessel, so that if it snatchs into the water or, worse, damages the boat cylinder.
The second element is a scoop (bucket), designed to scoop water out of the boat if it gets inside, the scoop should be tethered so as not to fly overboard at the most inopportune moment. For PVC boats, folding plastic or rubber scoops that take up minimal space are ideal. Metal buckets are not recommended, as they can damage inflatable tubes if handled sloppy.
For PVC boats, use cat-like anchors with bent paws, wrapping them with tape or cloth cover, which will prevent the balloon from puncture with the sharp edge of the anchor when lifting from the water.
There is a common misconception that if you don't plan to anchor, you don't have to take it with you. It's not. The rules require that you have an anchor on board, regardless of the boatmaster's plans. The situation on the water can change instantly: motor failure, a sharp squall, or the need for an emergency stop to help those in distress - in all these cases, the anchor becomes a vital tool.
Signalling and lighting equipment
Navigation on the water, especially in low visibility or at night, requires special light and sound signals. Even if you plan to ride only during the day, the rules require that you have on board alarms. First of all, it is a white light source that can be demonstrated in any direction. PVC boats are great for sealed LED lights or special navigation lights installed on the bow and stern.
Sound alarms are also required. A whistle, a horn or a mist horn can be used as an audible signal. The main requirement is that the sound must be heard at a distance of at least 500 meters in quiet weather. A whistle hanging around the boatmaster's neck or mounted on a vest is the simplest and most effective solution. He is not afraid of water and is always at hand.
If you plan to go out at night, lighting requirements become stricter. The boat must have onboard lights: red on the left side and green on the right, and white top light visible from all sides. For PVC boats, there are compact magnetic lights that can be installed quickly before leaving at dusk.
⚠️ Attention: The use of open fire sources (e.g. kerosene lamps) on PVC inflatable boats is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of a balloon puncture by spark or heat. Use only LED equipment with a sealed case.
Also, visual distress alarms should be included, orange smoke bombs or red flakers should be included, especially if you are far from shore. It is important to monitor the shelf life of pyrotechnics, as expired signals may simply not work at a critical moment.
Technical condition and configuration of the engine
Outboard Motors up to 10 hp are a popular choice for small PVC boats. However, to avoid GIMS questions, the engine must be technically sound. The inspector may ask to start the engine to make sure it is working and there are no leaks of fuel and oil. The presence of leaks of gasoline or oil in the boat's hold is a direct violation of fire safety regulations.
The fuel tank must be securely secured to prevent it from falling or shifting during the movement. Fuel supply hoses must not have cracks and scuffs. For two-stroke engines, it is important that the mixture of gasoline and oil is prepared correctly, since working on clean gasoline can quickly disable the engine, and working with excess oil can smoke a candle and reduce power.
A spare set of spark plugs and a set of tools (candle key, screwdrivers) must be included with the engine, although this is not always a requirement for getting to the water, a faulty motor in the middle of a reservoir makes a walk dangerous and the presence of a remix is regarded by inspectors as a sign of a reasonable boatmaster.
☑️ Checking the engine before the season
Table of mandatory equipment for GIMS
For ease of perception, we have organized all the mandatory items into a single table, and these items must be checked before each release, and the absence of any of the items can be grounds for a fine.
| Name of subject matter | Number of | Condition requirements | Storage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life jacket | 1 pc per person | Correct, with whole belts, the appropriate size | In an accessible place, not in a stained form |
| Anchor with a line | 1 kit | Tin is strong, at least length |