Owning a small boat is not only a pleasure to fish and waterwalk, but also a serious responsibility to the law. PVC It is wrong to assume that modern light engines do not require registration or a certificate. However, the legislation of the Russian Federation clearly regulates the rules for the operation of water vehicles, and there is administrative liability for violation of these rules. small-boat, subject to mandatory registration.
The situation with the requirements for boatmasters has changed after the new amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences and the relevant orders of the Ministry of Emergency Situations came into force. Now the key parameter is not only the engine power, but also the total weight of the boat in service. flyboat With an outboard motor for personal use, you need to know the current thresholds (threshold values) to avoid fines and detention of property by inspectors. GIMS MOE.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of obtaining rights, current categories, tuition fees and state fees, as well as the nuances of passing theoretical and practical exams. The rights to operate a small vessel are required if the engine power exceeds 8 kilowatts (about 10.88 hp) OR the mass of the equipped vessel with the engine exceeds 200 kg. Understanding these criteria will help you legally enjoy the water element.
Who and when do you need a boat license?
The main document regulating water safety issues is the Inland Water Transport Code of the Russian Federation. State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Vessels boats weighing more than 200 kg or with an engine power of more than 8 kW are subject to the right of ownership, however, not all cases of ownership of a registered vessel, namely at the time of driving.
If you PVC weighs less than 200 kg in running order (including engine, tank, anchor and other equipment) and the engine power does not exceed 10 hp, you do not need a license. This applies to most compact inflatable models with single-cylinder two-stroke or four-stroke engines. certificate appropriate category.
It is important to distinguish between “vessel registration” and “right of management”: a vessel may be registered (have a number), but if it is light and low-power, the rights to operate it may not be required. However, in practice, inspectors often check both parameters in a comprehensive manner.
Categories of GIMS license and types of boats
The system of admission to the management of small vessels in Russia is divided into several categories, each of which corresponds to a certain type of boat. State registry And you choose a particular category for the exams, and the most popular category for fishermen and tourists is the motorboat category.
There is also a water body type division: "GP" (inland tracks) and "MP" (sea lanes). For most lakes, rivers and reservoirs outside of seaports, the "GP" category is sufficient. If you plan to go to the open sea or large reservoirs with marine status, you will need to mark "MP".
- 🚤 Category "M" Motor boats (most common for motor boats) PVC boats with mounted motors.
- ⛵ Category "P" sailing vessels (relevant for yachtsmen and owners of swertboats).
- 🚣 Category "G" rowing vessels (for boats without motor, if they are subject to registration by weight).
- 🏗️ Category "GPS" - hydrocycles (water motorcycles requiring a separate tolerance).
Choosing the right category is critical. If you only have an open category "G" (rowing boat), driving a motorboat will be considered a violation, tantamount to driving without a license. So when training, immediately determine the type of vessel you plan to go on.
When choosing between GP and MP, always use MP if possible, which will expand your travel geography and allow you to legally enter river estuaries and large reservoirs equated to sea lanes.
Cost of registration and state duty
The financial side of the issue consists of several components: the cost of education in an accredited center, a medical certificate and state fees. Prices can vary depending on the region and the particular educational institution, but the state fees are set by federal law and uniform for the entire country.
Training in specialized centers licensed to train boatmasters is a mandatory stage for those who do not have a specialized education, the course usually includes the theoretical part (laws, navigation, navigation) and practical (practicing maneuvers on the water), the cost of training on average from 8 000 to 15 000 rubles.
| Type of service | Cost (rupe) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| State license fee | 800 | Payable through the state services or the bank |
| State duty for vessel registration | 200 | If the boat is registered |
| Medical certificate | 1500 - 3000 | Depends on the clinic and the region |
| Training (course) | 8000 - 15000 | Price in licensed centers |
It is worth noting that when paying state duty through the portal Public services The previous 30% discount was valid, but the conditions may change, so the current information should be checked immediately before payment, save all checks and receipts, they will be required when submitting the original documents to the inspection.
Required documents for obtaining a certificate
The collection of documents is a step that requires care, and even one certificate may be denied admission to the exam, first of all, you will need a passport of a Russian citizen and a copy of it, without identification, the procedure is impossible.
The second key element is a medical certificate, which must be forms 083/y-89 (or current at the time of filing) with a certificate of suitability for the management of a small vessel, and you can pass the medical examination at public clinics or private centers licensed to issue certificates for the issuance of certificates for the management of small vessels. GIME.
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (original and copy).
- 🏥 Medical certificate of the established sample.
- 🎓 Document on completion of the courses for boatmasters (original).
- 📸 Two photos 3x4 cm (matte, color or black and white).
- 💳 Receipt of payment of state duty.
If you have previously had rights but have expired or lost your license, the procedure for reinstatement or replacement will be different from the first one, and if you lose your rights, you may need to provide an explanatory or police certificate, although in practice a claim of loss is often sufficient.
☑️ Collection of documents
Training process and examination programme
The process of obtaining rights is divided into two main stages: a theoretical examination and a practical test; the theory is taken as a computer test at the GIMS territorial authority or in a training center, questions include navigation rules, signs of navigation, basic legislation and first aid.
The practical part is conducted directly on the water at the base of the examination center. The candidate must demonstrate skills in boarding and disembarking, checking the technical condition of the vessel, starting the engine, maneuvering, mooring and emergency actions (for example, "man overboard").
⚠️ Attention: In the practical exam, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol even in minimal doses a few days before the test, the inspector has the right to suspend the candidate if there are signs of intoxication, and re-admission will be possible only after a certain period of time.
Successful completion of both stages gives you the right to get a certificate. If the theory is passed and the practice is failed (or vice versa), only the unsubscribed part is retaken. The number of attempts to retake is limited, but usually given several chances within a certain period of time after training.
What is in the program of theory?
The program includes: Rules of navigation on inland waterways, the design and operation of small vessels, the basics of the legislation of the Russian Federation, first aid to victims, actions in emergency situations on the water.
Liability and fines for breach of rules
Ignoring the law can lead to serious financial losses: driving a small boat without a license is equivalent to driving a car without a driver's license, the penalty for this violation is from 1000 to 2000 rubles, but this is not the worst.
The more serious problem is the detention of the vessel. Inspector GIME The cost of evacuating and storing the boat can be many times greater than the cost of the fine itself, and if you drive a boat while you're drunk, the consequences will be even more severe, even criminal.
There are also fines for registration violations, and if your boat must be registered (weighing > 200 kg or engine > 10 hp) but does not have a number, the fine will be between 1,500 and 2,000 rubles, so it is important to monitor not only the rights, but also the documents on the boat itself.
The lack of rights or registration of the vessel entails not only a fine, but also the risk of prohibiting the operation and placing the boat in a parking lot, which makes legalization economically feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a 5-hp motor license?
No, no licenses are required. The 5 hp power is approximately 3.6 kW, which is significantly less than the limit of 8 kW (10.88 hp) that requires a license. It is also important that the total weight of the curb boat does not exceed 200 kg.
How long is the boatmaster's licence valid?
The certificate for the right to drive a small vessel is issued for a period of 10 years, after which you need to undergo an extension procedure, which is usually easier than the initial receipt (often does not require retraining, only a medical certificate and a fee).
Can you operate a boat with the M license in another region?
Yes, the GIMS certificate is valid throughout the Russian Federation, and you can operate a registered vessel in any region where the rules of navigation on the inland waterways of the Russian Federation apply.
What to do if you lose your boat license?
You should contact the GIMS office where the certificate was issued, or any other convenient one, a claim for loss, a passport and a photo are provided, a duplicate with the same category and validity period as the original is issued.