The question of what the law defines as small-size motorized vessels is often a stumbling block for beginner boatmasters, and many people mistakenly assume that having an engine automatically requires registration, or, conversely, ignore the rules, considering their boat toys. legality Your boat depends on a strict combination of several technical parameters prescribed in the Inland Water Transport Code of the Russian Federation.
Understanding these nuances is necessary not only for compliance with the law, but also for your own safety on the water. flyboat small boatYou will have to understand the intricacies of the classification of GIMS, which will avoid fines when checking documents and properly prepare the vessel for operation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the criteria for which water transport is recognized as small, the need for registration and requirements for boatmasters, you will learn how the power of the engine and the dimensions of the hull affect the legal status, as well as what documents must be on board you.
Criteria for the classification of small courts
Under current legislation, small boats are self-propelled and non-self-propelled floating structures with a length of less than 20 metres and a passenger capacity of no more than 12 persons, but there are more specific restrictions for motorboats and boats that determine the need to interact with the inspection.
The key is not only the length of the hull, but also the power of the engine installed. For a vessel to be considered small and fall under the jurisdiction of the State Emergency Service of Russia, its length must be less than 20 meters and passenger capacity up to 12 people inclusive. But there is an important power threshold that separates the “free” boats from those that require registration.
⚠️ Note: If your vessel is over 20 meters long or has a capacity of more than 12 passengers, it is no longer considered a small vessel and is subject to registration in the Russian River Register or the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which implies completely different requirements.
It's also important to consider that small craft can be both self-propelled and non-self-propelled. In the context of motorboats, we're talking about self-propelled units, where the source of energy for movement is the source of energy for movement. combustion-engine The type of fuel (gasoline, diesel, gas) is irrelevant in this case, it only matters the output of power.
The modern market offers a huge variety of models, from compact to compact. PVC-boats All of them fall into the category of small-size, if they meet the overall constraints, but the power of the power plant becomes the filter that determines the future actions of the owner.
Engine power and registration requirement
One of the most frequent issues that arises for owners of water transport is the need to register a vessel, which is the rule “10 horsepower” comes into force. According to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, small vessels used for non-commercial purposes are subject to registration in GIMS if the power of their engines (outboard motors) exceeds 8.2 kW (equivalent to 10 hp).
If your boat has a 9.9 hp or 15 hp engine, registration is mandatory. If the power is 9.8 hp or less and the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, you do not need to register such a vessel and obtain a license to operate it. two-stroke or four-stroke unit.
An important point to note is that if a boat has multiple engines, their power is added up, so if you have two 5 hp engines, the total power is 10 hp, which is formally subject to registration, although in practice inspectors can look at the actual power of each unit.
For owners of electric motors, the fact that electric traction often has less power in terms of horsepower, so many people are not able to use electric motors. electroboat But if you have a powerful electric motor that exceeds the 8.2 kW threshold, the rules become uniform for all types of traction.
BoatWise requirements and management rights
If your boat is not subject to registration (engine capacity up to 10 hp and up to 20 metres in length), you do not need a boatmaster's license, and you can only drive a boat with proof of ownership in case of inspection.
In the case of an engine power exceeding 10 hp (8.2 kW), the skipper must carry a certificate of the right to drive a small vessel of the appropriate category. For motorboats, this is category M. Training is provided in specialized centers and usually takes about a month, including theoretical training and practical classes.
The process of obtaining rights involves taking an examination consisting of a theoretical part (tickets) and a practical part (boat management). It is important to note that rights are issued according to the type of engine and the navigation area. For example, rights may have a restriction of “GP” (borders of ports and harbors) or be valid for navigation on inland waterways.
Where can I get a boat license?
Training and examinations can be taken at any GIMS unit or at accredited training and sports organizations (SAOs) licensed to train skippers, a list of such organizations is usually posted on the website of the regional office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The absence of a licence to drive a registered vessel is equivalent to driving without a driver's license and carries a fine, and it is also legal for persons over 18 to drive, and there are restrictions for juveniles and it is illegal for them to drive a powerful motor.
Classification by type of body and construction
Small motorized vessels are classified not only by power but also by hull design, which affects performance, safety and operating conditions, with the main types being inflatable, rigid and combined vessels.
PVC inflatable vessels are extremely popular because of their transportability and ease, they can be inflatable or hard bottom (NDB or RIB). Rigid hulls are made of aluminum, dural or fiberglass. performance and the care requirements.
The table below compares the main types of small boats, which will help you decide on the choice when buying:
| Type of vessel | Materials | Transportability | Average service life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable (PVC) | Polyvinyl chloride | Tall (in the bag) | 10-15 years |
| aluminum | Aluminum alloy | Requires a trailer. | 20 to 30 years |
| Plastic glass | Fiberglass | Requires a trailer. | 25 years. |
| RIB (Combie) | PVC + Aluminum/Plastic | Medium | 15-20 years |
The choice of type of hull is also dictated by the conditions of navigation. For large open bodies of water with a possible wave, rigid hulls with a keeled bottom are preferable, ensuring better seaworthiness. PVC It's got inflatable balloons that cushion the shocks against the wave.
Equipment and equipment according to GIMS rules
Operating a small vessel is not possible without proper equipment, regulations require a certain set of items to ensure the safety of the crew and the ability to signal, and the lack of necessary equipment can be grounds for a ban on access to the water.
The basic kit must include life jackets by number of people on board, not just a formality, but a necessity, and the boat must also have an anchor with a line, a scoop, a life ling (living line), and means for sounding signals (whistle or horn).
☑️ Basic equipment of the boat
If you plan to go out at night, the requirements are tightened. The vessel must be equipped with running lights: white top light, as well as side lights (red on the left and green on the right).
⚠️ Warning: Going out in stormy weather or exceeding the permissible wave height for your type of vessel is prohibited, ignoring weather warnings can lead to tragic consequences and is a violation of safety regulations.
Special attention should be paid to the capacity of the vessel. Overloading is one of the common causes of rollovers. Every certified small vessel has a sign indicating the maximum number of people and cargo. forbidden.
Documents on board and verification procedure
When you get on the water, the boatmaster must carry a package of documents, and even if your vessel does not require registration (capacity up to 10 hp), you can check the identity and ownership documents of the vessel to prevent theft.
For registered vessels, the list of documents is wider: you must present a boat's certificate (similar to a PTS for a car), a boatmaster's identity card and a travel document (for commercial vessels), or simply a safety declaration if the vessel is used for personal small vessels not on the high seas. Since 2021, the travel document is often replaced by a completed declaration or not required at all if the vessel does not leave the base, but it is mandatory to have a boat's certificate with a valid annual inspection mark.
The checks are usually quick if you're okay, the inspector checks the numbers on the transom of the boat and on the motor against the data in the documents, and it's important that the numbers are readable and not painted over or changed.
Keep electronic copies of all documents (boat ID, license, passport) in the cloud or send yourself an email. In case of loss of paper originals, this will greatly simplify the recovery procedure.
Not having documents on a registered boat equates to not being registered and incurs a fine, so always keep the documents in a waterproof bag in an easily accessible place, but away from the splash and direct sun that can burn the stamp on paper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register the outboard motor separately from the boat?
No, the outboard motor is registered with the boat, the boat's ticket contains both the hull and the engine (model, number, power), there is no separate "passport" or registration only for the engine, it is the attachment equipment of the boat.
Can you drive a boat with a B category (car) license?
No, motor rights do not give the right to operate a small vessel. To drive a motor boat with a capacity of more than 10 hp, a special certificate of the boatmaster of a small vessel issued by the SHIMS of the Ministry of Emergency Situations is required.
What happens if the engine power is 9.9 hp, but I put a limiter on it to 9.5 hp?
Officially, the power is determined by the manufacturer's documentation, specified in the product passport. Independent power limitation (even with the certificate from the manufacturer) can be perceived by the inspector ambiguously. If the engine's PTS is specified 9.9 hp (which often happens for models 9.9/15 hp), formally you must have rights. However, if the documents initially stated 9.9 hp, this is a borderline case that does not require registration (since 9.9 < 10). But if the documents 10.2 or 15 hp, then the "linder" must be certified by the factory and a fine is reflected in the document.
Do I need to have a checkup every year?
Yes, registered small craft must undergo an annual GIMS inspection, and the inspection results indicate that they are fit for sailing for the current season, without which they are prohibited from getting on the water.
The rule is, if your engine is over 8.2 kW (10 hp), register the vessel, get your license and undergo an annual inspection, which will protect you from fines and ensure safety.