The process of registration of the boat in the State Inspectorate for small vessels often turns into a real quest for the owner, especially if it is a question of the small boats. floatboatMany drivers make the same mistake: they only buy the boat and the motor, forgetting that the law requires a complete set of equipment for safe operation, and the absence of even one element, such as a life jacket or anchor, can lead to the refusal of a boat's ticket.
Properly equipping a PVC boat for GIMS is not just a formality, but a guarantee of your safety on the water and legal purity of ownership. In this article, we will discuss in detail what should be in the trunk of your car when passing a technical inspection, what requirements are imposed on navigation lights and how to avoid common fines. Compliance with these standards It will allow you to quickly get a room and legally scour the water.
It is worth noting that the requirements may vary slightly depending on the region and year of release of the vessel, but the basic list approved by the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine Russian Ministry of EmergencyWe're going to look at not only the minimum requirement, but also the recommended equipment that will make your way out to the water more comfortable, and get ready for a detailed dive into the world of boating bureaucracy and technology.
Basic requirements for vessels and documents
Before you collect the "alarm suitcase" of equipment, you need to make sure the legal viability of the vessel itself. Registration of the boat In GIMS, it is mandatory if its mass with the installed motor exceeds 200 kg or the engine power exceeds 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). flyboat in the equipped state is easier, then the requirements for its equipment will be of a recommendatory nature, although neglecting them is life-threatening.
The documentation should be in perfect order, the inspector will first request the boat's passport (SPM) and the engine data sheet, and it is important that the license plates on the transom of the boat and on the engine's lower unit are clearly readable and match the data in the documents. The inconsistency of numbers or their absence is the basis for the prohibition of operation and detention of the vessel until the circumstances are clarified. It often happens that buyers of used equipment forget to check this data, which leads to serious problems during registration.
In addition, the owner must provide a contract of sale or other document proving ownership, if the boat is inherited or gifted, the package of documents is supplemented by appropriate certificates, the absence of checks or contracts may lead to the inspector questioning the legality of the origin of the boat. small-boatSo keeping all the papers safe is the first step to successfully passing the rights exam and getting a boat's ticket.
Mandatory rescue equipment
Safety of people on the water is the number one priority for any public service. So the PVC boat for GIMS is primarily about life-saving equipment. Life jackets must be on board according to the number of people the vessel can accommodate according to the passport. It is important to understand that vests must be certified, with appropriate tags and markings. The use of homemade or damaged vests is unacceptable.
The second critical element is the lifeline (the end of Alexandrov), a durable cord at least 15 meters long (often 10-15 meters for small boats, but it is better to have a stock), equipped with a float at one end, and its purpose is to feed a drowning person. Lifeline. It is also mandatory if the design or capacity of the vessel so requires and it must be equipped with a line, and the inspector will check the availability of these items and their condition.
⚠️ Warning: Life jackets should be easily accessible, not packed in germ bags at the bottom of the rundooks. In an emergency, the count goes by seconds and the vest must be worn or handy.
Also included in the basic set is a scoop (bucket) for casting water. Even if your boat has self-draining valves, the presence of a scoop is a requirement of the rules. It can be made of plastic or metal, the main thing is the reliability of the handle and sufficient volume. Some owners neglect this element, considering it a relic of the past, but rules are rules, and breaking them is fraught with a fine.
- 🛟 Life jackets by number of passengers (required with marking).
- 🪢 Rescue line length of 15 meters with a float.
- 🛶 Rescue circle (if provided by the design).
- 🪣 A scoop (bucket) for scooping up water.
Buy vests of bright, contrasting colors (orange, red, yellow) at dusk or in choppy conditions, gray or dark blue vests are almost invisible to rescuers.
Anchor and control equipment
An anchor is not just a piece of metal, but a guarantee that your lightweight PVC boat It's not going to blow away in the wind or the current into open water or on rocks. For inflatable vessels weighing up to 200-300 kg, an anchor weighing 1.5-2 kg is usually enough. However, it's not the weight that matters, but the type of anchor. Some designs are suitable for clay bottoms, for rocky ones, others. The most versatile is the cat anchor or Denforth folding anchor, which is convenient to store in a bag.
The anchor false-rep (course) must be strong, not rotting and have a length exceeding the maximum depth at the site of operation by 3-4 times. Usually for rivers and lakes it is enough 10-15 meters. The use of thin fishing line or rotten rope is unacceptable. The anchor anchor attachment must be reliable so that with a sharp jerk (for example, when hooked by a snag), the anchor can be easily released without damaging the cylinders of the boat.
As for the controls, the motor must be in good working order. remote-control (if designed) or a reliable mounting of the hummel, a check device (checks) that stops the motor when the driver falls overboard is required. The absence of a check or its non-functioning condition is a direct violation of safety rules, and GIMS inspectors pay special attention to this element.
How do you tie the anchor properly?
The anchor cannot be tied directly to the bow of an inflatable boat, as in strong currents this can lead to a boat overturn (overkill). The anchor line should be mounted through a rump bolt on a transom or use a special bow discharge system that allows the anchor to be pulled in reverse.
The table below will help you to orient yourself in the approximate requirements for an anchor device depending on the size of the vessel:
| Type of vessel (length) | Min. anchor weight | Length of linen | Line material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 meters. | 1.5 - 2 kg | 10 - 15 m | Synthetic cable |
| 3 - 4 meters | 2 - 3 kg | 15 - 20 m | Synthetic cable |
| 4 - 5 meters | 3 - 4 kg | 20 - 30 m | Synthetic cable/chain |
| More than 5 meters. | 4+ kg | 30+m | Combined |
Navigation equipment and signalling equipment
If you plan to go out at night or in conditions of limited visibility (fog, rain), the presence of navigation lights becomes mandatory. The PVC boat for GIMS in this case should include tops white light and side lights (red left, green right). For small craft, there are combined lights that are installed on a removable mast. It is important that they are serviceable and have spare power.
Sound alarms are another thing that is often ignored, and they have to have a loud sound source, like a whistle, a horn or a horn, which is necessary for manoeuvre or hazard warnings, and in fog, it's the sound signal that helps other boatmasters determine your location. Signaling means They should be easily accessible, not buried in the back of their bags.
Also, visual alarms, such as false fires or smoke bombs, may seem redundant for a day walk in a small pond, but in large water areas and when entering open water, they are strictly regulated, and the inspector may ask about the shelf life of pyrotechnics, since expired signals do not guarantee operation.
- 💡 Navigation lights (tops and onboard) with serviceable batteries.
- 📢 Whistle or horn for audible alarm.
- 🔦 Autonomous white light source (lantern).
- 🚀 Signal means (false faeers) with an unexpired shelf life.
Even if you don’t plan to walk at night, having a working flashlight and whistle in your vest pocket is a must-have minimum for any water-engineer.
Tools, Remake and Fire Protection
The inflatable boat is a structure that requires constant integrity monitoring, so the remix must not be just a tick, but a complete one, including glue, patches made of material identical to the cylinder material, degreaser, scissors and marker. Repair of PVC In the field, it is common, and being able to fix a puncture quickly can save your fishing or even your life.
Fire protection is mandatory for boats with fixed engines or engines with a power of more than a certain norm (usually 8 hp and above, but it is better to have always) A fire extinguisher of at least 1 liter (for powder) or 0.5 liter (for carbon dioxide) must be mounted in an accessible place and have a valid certificate. The inspector will be sure to check the charging date and the integrity of the seal.
The toolkit should include engine maintenance keys, screwdrivers, pliers and spare candles, and you must have a spare fuel capacity if the regular tank is not enough, but it must be securely secured and located outside the passenger compartment, in a special hazel or on the stern so that the gasoline vapors do not accumulate inside the boat. Fire safety Water is a critical aspect, as help may not come immediately.
⚠️ Warning: Storage of spare fuel in plastic canisters inside an inflated boat is prohibited. Use only special fuel tanks or metal canisters attached outside.
☑️ Checking before getting on the water
Marking and identification of a vessel
After receiving the boat's ticket, the owner is faced with the task of correctly affixing identification marks. The PVC boat for GIMS will not be considered complete if the boards do not have a registration number and the flag of the Russian Federation. The number is applied in a contrasting color (usually black or white) on both sides in the bow. The height of the symbols should be at least 150 mm and the width is 100 mm.
Since 2020, Russia has introduced new rules for marking small vessels: the number consists of an alphanumeric code of the region, an inspection code and an individual number. It is important to apply it so that it does not erase and is clearly visible. Inflatable boats have special stencils and paints that do not damage the PVC material and are not washed away with water. Some owners use stickers, but paint is considered a more reliable and durable option.
In addition to the number, the boat must be fixed the flag of the Russian Federation, it is mounted on the flagpole, which is mounted in the aft. The size of the flag is also regulated: the aspect ratio is 1:1.5, the minimum size is 300×450 mm. Identification of the vessel It is your “passport” on the water, which should be readable in all weather.
The process of applying the number requires carefulness. First, the surface is degreased, then the paint is stenciled, let each layer dry according to the instructions, and a poorly applied number that cannot be read from 50 meters away will be the reason for a comment from the GIMS inspector.
Recommended additional equipment
Although the law requires a minimum, experienced water-engineers know that comfort and survival often depend on additional trifles. PVC boats for GIMS can be expanded at your discretion. For example, having a sonar and GPS navigation system makes it much easier to find fish and navigate an unfamiliar body of water. These devices are not mandatory by the rules, but are highly desirable for safety.
Carpet bags are another must-have element: a mobile phone, documents, car keys and money should be 100% water-protected. Even if the boat doesn't flip, splashes and rain can spoil electronics, and a folding table or rundock that can be used as a seat, and an awning from the sun or rain if the boat design allows it to be installed.
- 📱 Waterproof case for smartphone with Touch ID function.
- 🔋 Powerbank for recharging gadgets in the field.
- ☂️ An awning or umbrella to protect against sun and precipitation.
- 🎒 A sealed container for first aid kit and documents.
And don't forget about personal hygiene and comfort: towels, changeable clothes, a thermos with hot tea and food supply will make fishing pleasant, even if the peck is not important. Proper preparation allows you to enjoy nature without being distracted by everyday inconveniences.
Why do we need a second anchor?
On rivers with strong currents or at night parking, two anchors are often used at an angle (in the nose and on the stern) to fix the boat and prevent it from rotating around the axis under the influence of wind and current.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a PVC boat if the engine is more powerful than 10 hp, but the boat is light?
Yes, registration is required if the engine power exceeds 8 kW (approximately 10.8 hp), regardless of the weight of the boat. If the engine is more powerful but the boat is heavier, or vice versa, the total weight in running order is important. If the sum of the weight of the boat with equipment and the weight of the engine exceeds 200 kg, registration is also mandatory.
Can I use a homemade anchor for registration?
The GIMS inspector evaluates the functionality and reliability of the anchor, and the homemade anchor can be accepted if it looks reliable, weighs enough and is firmly fixed, but having a certificate for the factory product will save you from unnecessary questions and disputes.
What is the penalty for not wearing a boat?
Violations of safety rules, including the absence of life jackets, entail an administrative fine, the amount of the fine can vary, but usually is about 1000 rubles for an individual, but the main price is a risk to life.
Do I have to bring original documents with me every time?
Yes, the boat's certificate, the rights to operate a small vessel and the documents proving the title (or their certified copies) must be on board during operation, and the inspector has the right to demand them at any time.
Can I get a check without the boat itself?
In most cases, the technical inspection is carried out visually, so the presence of the boat (and the engine) is mandatory. The inspector must check the numbers, check the configuration and general condition of the vessel. Remote delivery is possible only in special cases and by agreement, but this is rare.