The question of whether a swimmer is a complete transport is often controversial among beginners. floatboat or metal boat Only as a way of recreation, forgetting about the legal side of the matter, but from the point of view of the legislation of the Russian Federation and international maritime conventions, a boat is a boat that is a boat that is a boat of the Russian Federation. constructionintended for the transport of persons or goods by water.
The status of a “vehicle” imposes a number of obligations on the owner, ignoring which can lead to serious consequences. These are not just beautiful words, but specific norms prescribed in the Code of Administrative Offences and the Water Code of the Russian Federation. PVC-boat powerful boat with an outboard motor.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why the boat is recognized as a vehicle, what rights are needed to operate it and how to avoid fines from the State Inspectorate for small craft. Legal literacy of the boatmaster is the key not only to the safety of the purse, but also to safety on the water. Important: Vehicle status is assigned to the vessel regardless of the type of engine (gasoline, electricity) or its absence (sail, paddles) if it is used for transportation.
Legal definition of a water vehicle
Under current law, water transport includes all types of vessels used to carry passengers, cargo or towage, and the key document here is the Water Code of the Russian Federation, which clearly classifies objects in operation on waterways. rowboat For fishing, legally it falls under the definition of a small vessel if its length exceeds the established norms or if it has an engine of a certain power.
It is a mistake to think that the absence of a motor takes away responsibility. Sailing vessels And even large inflatable rafts used for commercial or organized purposes are also subject to water traffic regulations, and the State small craft Inspectorate (SIV) monitors compliance with these regulations, often not only by having an engine, but also by having a motor. loading capacity boat.
For private owners, the critical parameter is engine power: if you own a boat with an engine power of less than 8 horsepower (or 5.88 kW) and a length of less than 20 meters, and if the number of people on board does not exceed 12 people, you are exempt from mandatory registration with the GIMS. However, this does not make the boat “not a transport” – it only simplifies bureaucratic procedures.
Any floating craft used to navigate on water is legally considered a boat, even if it does not require registration with the GIMS.
Category of rights and requirements for boatmasters
Since a boat is a vehicle, it requires rights to operate; small vessels used for non-commercial purposes require a certificate of control for a small vessel; various categories of rights are issued depending on the type of vessel and engine; the most common category of amateurs is the M category, which provides access to management. motorboat.
Obtaining the rights involves taking a theoretical exam (and in some cases a practical one) at GIMS. The training program includes studying the rules of navigation on inland waterways, the basics of navigation, first aid and design. small-boatIt is important to understand that driving a vessel over the permissible power of the engine without the appropriate category is equivalent to driving a car without a license.
There are several main categories of rights for small courts:
- 🚤 Category “M” Motorboats (the most popular category for PVC and aluminum boats).
- ⛵ Category “G” - Hydrocycles (requires a separate exam and skills).
- ⛵ Category “P” sailing vessels (relevant for owners of yachts and swertboats).
- 🚣 Category B Small passenger boats (for commercial use).
The lack of rights during the inspection by the inspector of the GIMS entails a fine, the fine for the skipper is from 2 to 3 thousand rubles, and in some cases it is possible to detain the vessel until the circumstances are clarified. floater.
Rules of registration and technical inspection
boat registration is a process of confirming ownership and admission of transport to operation, and as mentioned, motor boats with an engine capacity of more than 8 hp (or 5.88 kW) and a length of less than 20 meters are subject to registration. sailboat regardless of the area of sailing, if they are used for recreational purposes.
The registration procedure includes inspection of the vessel by the inspector of GIMS. During the inspection, the availability of mandatory equipment, the readability of the marking (side number) and the conformity of the specifications to the declared documents.
Since 2021, changes have been in place to make life easier for small boat owners, and now a technical inspection (TO) for private boats not used for commercial purposes is carried out once at initial check-in, previously required an annual inspection, a significant relief, but it does not eliminate the need to keep the boat in good condition.
To pass the registration and receive a boat registration certificate, the following package of documents must be provided:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (owner).
- 🧾 Documents confirming ownership (purchase agreement, checks).
- 📝 Application for registration (completed in GIMS or through public services).
- 💰 The receipt for payment of the state duty.
☑️ Ready to register?
Mandatory equipment and water safety
Not only must the vehicle be registered, but it must be manned. The requirements vary by area and type of vessel, but there is a basic set that is mandatory for everyone. The absence of life jackets or fire extinguishing equipment can cause a fine and, more importantly, tragedy on the water.
First of all, on board should be lifejackets The vests must be in good working order, fit the size of the users and have certificates of conformity, the use of homemade floating vehicles or vests with an expired expiration date is prohibited, and an important safety element is the faline anchor, which should be at least three depths in the navigation area.
For motor boats, the availability is mandatory. fire extinguisherDepending on the engine power and the design of the vessel, additional means such as a scoop, a life end ("Alexandrov's end") and signaling means (whistle, lantern) may be required, disregarding these requirements is considered a violation of safety regulations.
The following is the table of minimum requirements for small-sized vessels (baseline):
| Name of equipment | Motorboats | Sailing vessels | Rowing boats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life jackets | Number of people | Number of people | Number of people |
| Fire extinguisher | Definitely (1 pcs) | Not required | Not required |
| Anchor with a line | Sure. | Sure. | Preferably. |
| cerpak | Sure. | Sure. | Sure. |
What happens if you have a vest but don't?
Under the new rules, the presence of a vest in a haunduk does not exempt from a fine if it is not worn on a passenger while the boat is moving: Inspectors have the right to fine for the absence of a vest on a person, not just for its presence on board.
Liability and fines for breach of rules
Driving a boat as a vehicle carries strict liability: the Code of Administrative Offences (CAP) provides for various types of penalties for violations; the most common violation is the lack of rights to drive or documents for the boat; the penalty for lack of rights is from 2 to 3 thousand rubles.
Driving while drunk is considered an even more serious offence, with a fine of 30,000 roubles or administrative arrest of up to 15 days, and the vessel can be detained and placed in a locker until the reasons for detention are eliminated, and repeated violations within a year can result in criminal liability.
⚠️ Note: The inspector of the State Police Inspectorate has the right to stop your vessel for the examination of documents at any time, and refusing to stop or disobey the lawful request of the representative of the authorities entails a fine of up to 1000 RUB, and in some cases arrest.
There are also fines for violation of navigation rules: non-compliance with the speed limit near the shore, creating a dangerous wave, entering restricted areas (protection zones of bridges, dams, bathing zones), the size of such fines varies from 500 to 2000 rubles.
Owners. electric motors And you have to be careful, because while they're green and quiet, they're also engines. If the electric motor is above 3.68 kW (5 hp), the boat is registered and the boatmaster must have the rights. Many people are wrong to think that "electro" means "no rights," but the law says otherwise if the power thresholds are exceeded.
Always carry a copy of your passport and license (you can electronically or photo), but the original documents on the boat are best stored in a sealed bag in an impoverishable pocket.
Frequent Questions about the Status of the Boat (FAQ)
Do I need a license for a PVC inflatable boat with a 3 hp engine?
No, no, no. Current legislation does not require that if the engine power is less than 8 hp (5.88 kW) and the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, registration with the GIMS and the availability of category M rights, but water safety rules must be followed.
Is a kayak considered a vehicle?
Sports kayaks and canoas, as well as rowing boats less than 3 meters long and weighing up to 30 kg (without a motor), are not subject to registration and do not require rights. However, if a kayaking is equipped with a motor of any power, it automatically becomes a small boat with all the following requirements.
Can I drive a boat with Category B rights?
No, category B motor licenses do not give the right to operate water transport. To drive a boat with an engine, you need a boatmaster's certificate of a small vessel issued by the State Motor Vehicle Safety and Safety Committee of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. The only exception is that some types of jet skis in certain regions may have nuances, but the rule "car rights to the boat" always works.
What happens if you don’t put the number on the registered boat?
The passenger number is the equivalent of a car number, and its absence on a registered vessel is a violation of the registration rules, the inspector of the State Safety Inspectorate may issue a warning or a fine of up to 1000 rubles, and also require that the traffic stop until the violation is corrected, the number must be painted in contrast paint on both sides.