Set of PVC boat for GIMS inspector: requirements and norms

With the onset of the navigation season, thousands of water-engines lower their boats on the water, forgetting that the water is not in the water. State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Courts (GIMS) is open all year round. Meeting with a water inspector or checking on a trailer in a garage can cloud your vacation if your gear doesn't meet current regulations. PVC They often mistakenly rely on the compactness of the boat, forgetting that safety rules are uniform for all categories of small craft.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what exactly must be on your boat to pass the check without fines and detention, not only the presence of life jackets, but also navigation lights, documents and alarms, which are often ignored.

Getting the right equipment isn't just a bureaucratic requirement, it's a matter of your own safety on the water, and the unpredictability of the water element dictates its rules, and having the right equipment can save lives in a critical situation.

Basic requirements for the configuration of a small vessel

Federal Law No. 36-FZ “Code of Inland Water Transport of the Russian Federation” and rules for navigation on inland waterways establish a clear list of mandatory equipment. PVC boats It is important to understand that requirements may vary depending on the area of navigation and the type of engine.

The basic principle of GIMS is: The boat must be manned. So in case of an accident, the crew can survive and give a distress signal, and this applies even to inflatable kayaks, if they are equipped with a motor.

• 🛟 Rescue equipment for individual use (vests) by the number of people on board.
• 🔦 Light source (lantern) for the provision of light signals.
• ⚓ A floating anchor or mooring end to stop the boat.
• 🔪 A knife for emergency cutting of gear (especially relevant for PVC).

⚠️ Warning: Not having a life jacket on board, even if it is not worn in a time of calm weather, is a violation. The vest must be in an accessible place, not rolled up in a sealed box at the bottom.

It is important to note that inflatable vessels are critically important. kitThe inspector may ask if there is glue and patches, because damage to the balloon far from the shore is equivalent to loss of buoyancy.

Documentation: What to check before getting on the water

The first thing an inspector will need to do is to check documents, which are not available or expired, and which are administratively liable, and in 2026, both paper and electronic copies in special applications are relevant, but it is better to have originals.

Owner PVC The vessel must carry a boat's passport (formular) or a sales contract if registration is not required (for boats up to 200 kg and an engine up to 8 kW).

The most important document is a certificate of the right to drive a small vessel (rights of category "M" or "G"). Without this document, driving a motor boat is equivalent to driving a car without a license.

Document	Original/Copy	Duration of validity	Comments
GIMS certificate	Original	10 years.	It's a must for everyone with a motor.
boat registration certificate	Original/Copy	5 years	For registered vessels
Contract of sale	Copy/Original	Indefinitely	Confirmation of possession
Fishing licence	Original	For the duration of the trip	Only when fishing.

Remember that the documents must be readable, and if the boat's ticket fades or torn, it is recommended to replace it in the office of the GIMS to avoid unnecessary questions.

Life-saving appliances and vests

The most talked about issue is life jackets. lifejacket Everyone should be on board. PVC This is especially true because of the low side and high probability of being in the water.

Vests must be suitable for the height and weight of a person. Children's vests are mandatory for children under 12 years of age or weighing up to 35 kg. The use of adult vests "for growth" inspectors consider as a violation.

• ✅ The vest must be fastened or in close proximity to the owner.
• ✅ The presence of a whistle on the vest is a mandatory requirement for sound signals.
• ✅ Reflective elements on the vest are mandatory for swimming in the dark.

There is a common misconception that you can swim in calm without a vest. The rules say that the vest must be boardHowever, in some regions (for example, in winds above a certain speed or at night) wearing is mandatory.

⚠️ Warning: Lifebuoys are no substitute for vests! circle is designed to throw to the drowning, not to be worn permanently.

Navigation lights and signalling aids

For safe navigation in conditions of limited visibility (fog, night) or when driving at dusk PVC It should be equipped with navigation lights, and they're not just light bulbs, they're strictly regulated light sources.

According to the Inland Waterways Regulations (VVWP), a small vessel of less than 12 metres in length must carry:

1. Top white light (diametrically)
2. Airborne lights (red on left, green on right).
3. Circular white light (can replace the top and aft when parking).

For PVC There are special mast-holders that are attached to the cylinder or transom. The use of homemade structures made of wire and flashlights can be regarded by the inspector as the absence of lights if their color and sector of view do not correspond to the norm.

Requirements for the lights survey sector

The top light should be visible 360 degrees, the side lights should be visible from the nose to 22.5 degrees behind the travert of the respective side, the aft white light is visible at 135 degrees (from side to side through the stern).

It is further recommended to have flashlight It is white, capable of producing light signals (modulation modulation or blinking), a requirement that is often tested at night checks.

Fire extinguishing equipment and scoops

Fire on the water is a terrible dream of any boating. For outboard boats, the presence of a fire extinguisher is a requirement if the engine power exceeds certain values or if there are closed fuel tanks on board.

However, even for low-powered engines on the PVC The inspectors strongly recommend (and often require) fire extinguisher or OU-2Powder fire extinguishers are cheaper, but carbon dioxide extinguishers are more effective for wiring extinguishing and do not spoil equipment with powder.

The second important element is the scoop, which should be tethered, and if water gets into the cockpit (which is often the case with PVC boats in choppy conditions), the scoop will allow water to be pumped out quickly before the pump is turned on or the bucket is used.

• 🔥 The fire extinguisher must have a valid expiration date (check the date on the case).
• 🔥 The fire extinguisher must be secure so that it does not fly overboard on a bump.
• 🔥 The cherpak must be made of non-conductive material (plastic, wood, aluminum).

⚠️ Warning: Check the pressure gauge on the fire extinguisher (if any) the arrow should be in the green area. The lack of pressure makes the fire extinguisher a useless piece of metal.

For boats with gasoline engines, it is also important to have sparker on the exhaust pipe, although for standard two-stroke and four-stroke tohatsu or yahs, this is usually built into the muffler design.

First-aid kit and communications equipment

The first aid kit is another item that is often ignored, which should not only contain patches, but also harnesses, antiseptics, bandages and means to stop bleeding, and the composition of the first aid kit is regulated by sanitary regulations for water transport.

Pay special attention to communications. A cell phone in a sealer is good, but radiostation (VHF range) is a professional level of security that allows you to call for help or contact other vessels when cellular communication is not catching.

In the first aid kit PVC It is also worth including sunburn and repellents, since in open water the impact of environmental factors increases.

Minimum composition of the first-aid kit

Burn hemostatic | Sterile bandage (5 pcs)| Medical gloves | Antiseptic (iodine/chlorhexidine) | Scissors | Napkins hemostatic

Don't forget. sealed-container Getting water inside the package will make the contents useless at the right time.

Frequent boating Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to register a PVC boat with a 2 hp engine?

No, according to the current legislation, the registration in GIMS are subject to boats weighing up to 200 kg inclusively with an engine up to 8 kW (about 10.88 hp) inclusive. Boat with a 2 hp engine is not subject to registration, but the rules of navigation and configuration are mandatory.

Can I use homemade paddles for PVC boats?

You can use it, but the inspector has the right to check its strength, and if the oars break when you first try to row, it's considered as a lack of paddles, and it's better to have regular oars from the boat manufacturer.

What is the penalty for not wearing a vest?

The fine for citizens is from 2 to 5 thousand rubles (Article 11.7 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation), and in some cases a warning is possible.

Do I need an anchor for a small inflatable boat?

An anchor (or floating anchor) is required for parking on the current or wind. For light PVC boats, an anchor weighing 1.5-3 kg or a special floating anchor-cone that stabilizes the boat with a nose to a wave is enough.

Are the rights of the GIMS granted 15 years ago valid?

A certificate of ownership of a small craft is issued for a period of 10 years, after which you must undergo retraining (usually a surrender of the theory) and obtain a new document, old Soviet-style licenses may require confirmation or replacement.