Operation of any swimming means, no matter whether it is inflatable Flagship. solid AquaproOwning a small vessel is not only a pleasure of fishing and cruising, but also a serious responsibility before the law, which begins from the moment of purchase. Registration of the boat GIMS is a mandatory procedure if the mass of the equipped boat with the installed engine exceeds 200 kilograms or the engine power is above 8 kW (10.88 hp), and it is after that the owner receives a unique tail number.
Obtained in inspection tail-room You have to put on board the boat in strict compliance with GOST and GIMS rules, otherwise even the presence of documents will not save you from a fine during a water test. Many owners of PVC boats mistakenly believe that you can write numbers by hand with a marker or stick them on an arbitrary size, but inspectors pay close attention to this. boat-roomwhere exactly to place it and what sanctions threaten for violation of the rules of identification of small craft.
Ignorance of the rules exempts from liability only in theory, and in practice, the inspector of the GIMS has the full right to write a protocol for an unreadable or incorrectly marked number. Proper paperwork and marking of the vessel is your pass to a relaxing holiday without unnecessary questions from the supervisory authorities. PVC She was ready for the season and didn’t get any complaints.
Legal and regulatory framework and the need for registration
The main document regulating the rules of registration and operation of small vessels is the Code of Inland Water Transport of the Russian Federation and the relevant orders of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. state-registration It is mandatory for all boats used for non-commercial purposes if their engine weight exceeds the specified limit. For PVC inflatable boats, this is a critical point, since the lightweight hull is often combined with powerful engines, which in total exceeds the permissible 200 kg.
If your boat is registered, you will receive a boat's ticket with a unique alphanumeric code, which must be transferred to the boat, and strict technical requirements come into force. GEMURE Rules Not only does the numbering itself have to be clearly regulated, but also the visual performance of the number to ensure that the vessel is identified from a distance, and ignoring these rules amounts to not registering, with all the consequences that follow.
It is important to understand that the requirements are the same for all types of enclosures, whether it is fiberglass, aluminum or reinforced polyvinyl chloride. PVC boats The inspectors are well aware of these features, but the law is the same for everyone, and the softness of the side is not an excuse for violating the rules for the application of signs.
⚠️ Warning: Operation of an unregistered vessel or vessel without visible identification marks is subject to an administrative fine, both on water and on trailers when transported to the descent site.
Font requirements and character sizes
The most important aspect of marking is that the font and character sizes conform to the standards, the number must be marked in a contrasting color, clearly visible against the background, and read from a distance of at least 50 meters. To meet this requirement, the height of the signs must be at least 150 mm, and the width must be at least 100 mm, and the thickness of the font lines is regulated within 15-30 mm.
The use of arbitrary fonts, such as handwritten or decorative options, is strictly prohibited. Font of the number It should be straight, without serifs and roundings, to avoid ambiguous interpretation of symbols, and most often for this purpose, a special screen type is used, which provides the necessary geometric rigor and readability even in ripples on water.
Which typeface should I use?
Officially, in GOST R ISO 17973-2012 (EMERCOM of Russia from 29.06.2020 No 462), it is recommended to use sans-serif fonts. In practice, an Arial Bold type type type type type type type or specialized screen fonts (for example, GOST stencil letters), where all the elements of letters are straight and clear, the main thing is to observe the proportions of height and width.
When ordering stickers or making stencils, you must strictly monitor the proportions yourself. If you reduce the height of the letters so that they fit into a narrow cylinder, the inspector has every right to consider the markings not meeting the requirements. Contrast It also plays a key role: white digits on a light gray balloon will not be visible, so the color of the paint or film should be radically different from the color of PVC.
| Parameter | Minimum value | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height of sign | 150 mm | 160-180 mm | For better readability |
| Breadth of sign | 100 mm | 100-120 mm | Without distortion of proportions |
| Thickness of lines | 15 mm | 20-25 mm | Depends on the typeface. |
| Distance between signs | 1/2 width of sign | 50-60 mm | For the separation of symbols |
Places of application of the side number on PVC boats
The location of the inflatable boat numbering is often a headache for owners, as round cylinders do not provide a flat surface. According to the rules, the number must be applied no further than 1/4 of the length of the hull from the forespigel (nose) on both sides. PVC This usually means a placement on the top third of the inflatable balloon, where the diameter allows you to place a straight string.
It is strictly forbidden to place the number on the transom, as this part of the vessel is often hidden by water or motor, which makes identification impossible, and it is also not recommended to place the numbers too low, where they will be constantly poured with splashes or hidden behind banks (seats), the ideal place is the upper gently part of the balloon closer to the nose, where the surface is most flat.
Before the room sticker, degrease the surface of the PVC with alcohol or a special cleaner, but do not use acetone or solvents that can damage the boat material.
Owners often have a problem when the number floats around the balloon arc. To avoid distortion, some use special flexible stickers that repeat the outline, or divide the number into segments, which is allowed if the overall readability is not affected. GIME prefers that the line is as straight as possible, so the choice of installation site should be careful.
⚠️ Warning: Do not place the number on the joints of cylinders or in the places of folding where the material experiences maximum tension. When pumping the boat, the paint or film may crack and peel off, which will lead to unreadability.
Application methods and materials for marking
The choice of material for the room depends on the budget, the owner's skills and the desired durability. The easiest and most affordable way is to use a self-adhesive film (vinyl stickers). Modern quality films have high adhesion to PVC and resistance to ultraviolet light, but they require a perfectly flat surface for application, which is difficult to achieve on round cylinders without dryer heating.
A more reliable, but time-consuming method is to apply the number through the stencil with special paints for PVC. Such marking serves for years and is not afraid of mechanical influences, but requires a firm hand and high-quality surface preparation. Paint for PVC It should be elastic so that when the boat is blown and inflated, it does not trawl or crumble, preserving the integrity of the image.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for the application of the number
There are also ready-made sets of plastic plates with a number that are attached to rivets or bolts, but for inflatable boats this option is least suitable because of the risk of damage to the tightness of the balloon. Mechanical attachment of rigid elements to the soft side is the creation of a potential break point, so flexible This is a priority for owners of inflatable vessels.
Registration of flag and registration plates
In addition to the tail number, each registered small vessel shall be raised flagThe flag is mounted on a flagpole mounted in the stern of the boat and must be raised while driving, and the absence of a flag is a separate violation for which there is also a fine, so do not neglect this element of tooling.
The registration number must be entered in the boat's ticket legibly, without any defacement or correction. The boat's ticket also indicates the owner, the type of vessel and its main specifications. When inspected, the GIMS inspector first checks the number on board with the number on the boat's ticket, so any discrepancy (for example, if the letter is unstuck) can lead to the detention of the boat until the circumstances are clarified.
It is important to monitor the condition of not only the number, but also the boat's ticket, the document must be stamped and signed, and in some cases laminated to protect against moisture. Electronic boat registration certificate While it is an experiment, the original paper or plastic must always be on board with the identity document.
Fines and liability for violations
Violation of the rules of registration and marking of small vessels entails administrative liability under article 11.8 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation. the Penalty for the operation of an unregistered vessel or a vessel without numbers is from 1000 to 2000 rubles. It would seem that the amount is small, but it does not lift the ban on operation: the inspector can prohibit the water until the violations are eliminated.
The more serious consequence could be to detain the vessel and place it in a parking lot, which would entail additional costs for transportation and storage, and a repeated violation or refusal to comply with the inspector's lawful request could lead to increased penalties. Administrative fine It’s not just a loss of money, it’s a stain on your reputation as a law-abiding citizen.
The cost of producing a high-quality sticker with a number is disproportionately small compared to the potential fine and loss of time for dismantling with the inspection.
It is also worth considering that in the case of a water accident or rescue operation, the absence of a visible number makes it difficult to identify the vessel and can complicate the process of identifying the perpetrators, so proper marking is not only a matter of law, but also the safety of all participants in water traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I write a number by hand with an oil marker?
Technically, if you write a number with a marker, observing all the dimensions (150 x 100 mm), sans-serif font and providing contrast, the inspector can take this option. However, the marker quickly fades out in the sun and washes away, so this number will soon become unreadable, which will lead to a penalty. Better use persistent materials.
Do I need to register a PVC boat with a 5 hp engine?
If the weight of the boat with the engine does not exceed 200 kg, registration with GIMS is not required. Most PVC boats with engines up to 10 hp weigh less than this limit. However, if you have a heavy boat or a powerful engine, the total weight can exceed 200 kg, and then registration is mandatory.
Where to buy a stencil for a boat room?
You can order stencils from advertising agencies, specialized stores for water engines or make them yourself from dense film, the main requirement is to comply with the geometry of letters and numbers according to GOST.
What if the boat number faded or unstuck?
The labeling must be restored as soon as possible, and the operation of a vessel with an unreadable number is equivalent to its absence, and you can apply the new number yourself, observing the dimensions, or contact a specialized workshop.
Do I need to carry my documents to the motor?
Yes, if the engine is also registered (more than 10.88 hp), the number and documents must be available, and the inspector checks the matching of the engine number on the boat's ticket and on the engine crankcase.