Every small craft owner is faced with the need to register with the State small craft Inspectorate (SIMS), but having rights and license plates on board is only half the battle, and inspectors pay close attention not only to documents, but also to the technical condition of the boat and its safety equipment.
The situation on the water can change in minutes: sudden storm winds, loss of control or collision with an invisible obstacle require an immediate response. boat-building The absence of even one element from the mandatory list can become the basis for a fine or a ban on further operation in current navigation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what exactly should be in your boat or boat according to current regulations. We will look at the requirements for lifeguards, navigation lights, anchorages and first aid kits. Understanding these rules will help you not only avoid problems with the law, but also to protect yourself and passengers during the water.
Documentation and means of identification
The first thing the inspector checks when approaching your vessel is whether the documents are valid and valid, and they must be original, valid at the time of the inspection, and preferably in a waterproof bag. boat registration certificateThe document is issued by the SIMS of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, which lists the main specifications of the vessel, its owner and permissible areas of navigation.
The second critical document is a small boat licence (SWC), the inspector checks the category of rights against your engine type and engine power, and if you are driving a vessel with an outboard motor of more than 8 kilowatts (about 10 hp), you must have the right to the right category, and you must have an identity document with you.
⚠️ Attention: Photocopies of documents, even notarized ones, are not a complete substitute for the originals when checking on water. Always bring the original boat's ticket and ID card with you.
The vessel itself must also be properly marked, the number plates shall be contrasted on both sides in the middle of the hull, the number and letter height shall be at least 150 mm and the width shall be 100 mm (80 mm is allowed for inflatable boats), the line thickness shall be 15-20 mm, the number shall be read from left to right, and the distance from the water to the lower edge of the sign shall be at least 250 mm.
Life-saving appliances and vests
Safety of people on the water is the number one priority, so the requirements for life-saving appliances (Savior vests, circles, ends of Alexandrov) are spelled out in as much detail as possible. For each person on board, there should be an individual life jacket, this rule applies regardless of whether you are swimming in the center of the reservoir or 10 meters from the shore.
Life jackets must be labelled and conform to the CU technical regulations, and it is important to understand the difference between safety vests (which just keep you afloat in calm water) and real life jackets that can turn a person upside down even when they are unconscious.
- 🛟 The vests must be matched according to the size and weight of each passenger, including children.
- 🛟 Each vest should have reflective elements for visibility in the dark.
- 🛟 It is recommended to have a spare set of vests if you plan to take guests.
- 🛟 Check the integrity of the straps and fasteners before each step into the water.
Besides the vests, there must be a life ring fitted with a line (fail) at least 30 metres long, a ring to fast feed the sinking while you maneuver the vessel to lift it, and a line must be laid so that it can be thrown instantly without unwinding the knots.
Buy vests of bright, contrasting colors (orange, red, yellow) in the water of a person wearing a black or camouflage vest is almost impossible to notice, especially in choppy conditions.
Anchor and lines
An anchor is a requirement for registration and operation of a small vessel. An anchor is required not only for parking, but also for emergency stopping of the vessel in case of engine failure or in case of strong wind demolition. The type of anchor (Denforth, Hall, Admiralty) can vary depending on the type of bottom and size of the boat, but its mass must be sufficient to hold the vessel.
Anchor falin (lin) must be made of durable material resistant to rot and ultraviolet. the length of the line is usually at least three lengths of the vessel, but for confident anchoring in the current or wind, it is recommended to have a reserve of 20-30 meters.
| Type of vessel | Min. mass of anchor (kg) | Recommended line length (m) | Line material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable boat | 1.5 - 3.0 | 15 - 20 | Nylon/Polyamide |
| Metal boat | 4.0 - 6.0 | 20 - 30 | Core rope |
| Boat up to 5 meters | 6.0 - 10.0 | 30 - 40 | Steel cable/Synthetics |
| Boat over 5 meters | 10.0+ | 40 - 60 | Combined |
Storage of the anchor in the runduk or under the seat is allowed only in the folded form, but it must be ready for immediate use. Inspection officers often check for the presence of a harrowing harrow. anchorage Visually, so make sure it is easily accessible.
Do you need two anchors?
According to the rules, one anchor is sufficient for small vessels, but a second anchor (verp) is highly desirable for safe parking in open water in variable winds, to eliminate the risk of bulking on other boats or stones.
Screwing device and water drainage
Water is the main enemy of buoyancy. Even the most sealed boat can get puncture or leak in the area of the transom. To pump water from the inner compartments of inflatable and sailing boats, and to draw water from open boats, there must be a drawer on board. This can be a special bucket, a bucket or a built-in pump.
For inflatable boats, a sturdy plastic bucket or bucket tied on a short phalt to the hull is often enough to keep it from being blown away by the wind. If your boat is equipped with a stationary or portable pump, it must be in good working order and ready to go. The pump hose should not have cracks, and the mechanism should have jamming.
In metal boats with self-draining cockpits, the presence of an additional scoop is also welcome, although formally the requirement may be less strict if the design provides for slouches. However, the inspector has the right to require a means of removing water if he sees that the regular systems can not cope with the rapid flow of water when rolling.
⚠️ Attention: Using a leaky bucket or a bucket with a torn handle equates to not having a drawer. Check the integrity of the inventory before each navigation.
Signal lights and audible alarms
Going out at night or in conditions of limited visibility (fog, rain) requires running lights. The equipment depends on the type of vessel and its size. For rowing boats, a white all-round light is enough, which is displayed when moving. Motor boats must carry side lights (red and green) and a top white light.
Sound alarms are required to provide maneuvering and hazard warning signals; a whistle, horn, horn or boat bell can be used as an audible signal; the main requirement is that the sound must be heard at a sufficient distance (at least 500 meters for large boats, for small ones, a clear and loud signal).
- 🔦 The running lights must be serviceable, the lenses clean, without cracks.
- 🔦 Be sure to have spare batteries or batteries for electric lights.
- 🔦 The whistle should be easily accessible, it is desirable to hang around the neck at the helmsman or lie in the pocket of a life jacket.
- 🔦 The flashlight does not replace stationary running lights, but is useful for illuminating the shore.
Lack of running lights when driving at night is one of the most common violations leading to accidents. Other drivers simply can't see your boat in the dark, which can lead to a collision. navigation lights Before sunset is a mandatory procedure.
☑️ Checking of lighting equipment
First aid kit and first aid equipment
While the water is often remote from medical care, having a first aid kit is a matter of survival, while the SMB Rules are less strict than the commercial Navy's, the GIMS recommends, and often requires, a basic set of medications.
The first aid kit should contain means to stop bleeding (burns, bandages, antiseptics), painkillers, burn remedies (including sun) and antiseptics for wound treatment, antihistamines and motion sickness drugs will also be useful. All medications should have a normal shelf life.
Special attention should be paid to the packaging. The first aid kit should be waterproof so that the contents are not affected by splash or rain. It is recommended to complete it yourself, adding personal necessary medicines, since standard car kits may not take into account the specifics of water injuries (hypothermia, fin cuts, fuel burns).
The first aid kit on the boat should be airtight and easily accessible, and storing bandages and medicines in the glove compartment of the engine or under the seat without moisture protection means losing them at the right time.
Fuel system and fire safety
A water fire is a catastrophic situation where the escape route is limited, so the fuel system is tightly controlled, the fuel tank must be securely secured, the hoses must not be cracked, and the connections must be sealed, and the use of unspecialized canisters (for example, from technical fluids) to store fuel on board is prohibited.
boats with stationary engines or engines with a capacity of more than 22 kW (about 30 hp) must have a stationary fire extinguishing system. For small boats with outboard motors, it is enough to have a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher must be charged, have a seal and be easily accessible, not buried under the kunduks.
It is recommended to use powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers with a volume of at least 2 liters. It is important (check) the pressure in the pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher (if any) and the integrity of the seal. Fuel hoses should be made of special oil-resistant materials that do not break down from contact with gasoline.
How to properly secure the fuel tank on the boat?
The tank should be installed in a special compartment or securely secured with belts/clamps to the body to prevent its displacement when rolling or hitting a wave. Under the tank it is desirable to have a pallet to collect possible leaks. The fuel supply hose should not touch the hot parts of the engine.
Do I need to register a boat if the engine is less than 10 hp?
Since 2017, PVC boats with an engine up to 10 hp (inclusive) do not need to be registered if the total weight of the equipped vessel with an engine does not exceed 200 kg. However, safety rules and the presence of life jackets on board apply to all without exception.
What happens if a GIMS inspector stops a boat without vests?
You will be fined under article 11.2 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation. the size of the fine for citizens is from 2000 to 4000 rubles. In addition, the inspector has the right to prohibit further navigation until the violations are eliminated, that is, you will have to return to the shore to dress passengers.