In the run-up to the navigation season, thousands of owners of swimming aids are questioning the legality of their activities on the water. Rights to operate a motorboat It is not just a formality, but a legal requirement, and many fishermen and recreational enthusiasts mistakenly believe that no paperwork is required for a small PVC boat with a low-power engine, but regulatory changes in recent years have made significant adjustments to this process.
Today we will discuss in detail all the nuances of obtaining a small boatmaster's license, the classification of engines and the requirements for the boats themselves. State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Courts (GIMS) It is strictly controlled by the rules, so knowing the intricacies of the law will help you avoid conflicts with inspectors and ensure your stay on the pond, we will understand when exactly the document is needed, how the exam is carried out and what to do if you bought a used boat.
It should be noted that the legislation is based on two key parameters: the capacity of the vessel and the power of its propulsion system. It is their combination that determines the need for registration and the availability of a qualification document for the boatmaster. In this article we will look at the current standards that are in force throughout the Russian Federation.
When rights are required: GIMS criteria
The main document regulating the need for rights is the Government Decree No. 868, which requires registration of small vessels weighing more than 200 kilograms or whose engine power exceeds 8 kilowatts (equivalent to 10 horsepower). outboard motor rights If at least one of these parameters is exceeded, this means that even a lightweight inflatable boat will require registration and rights if it is equipped with a powerful "topper".
⚠️ Note: The total weight of the vessel is calculated with permanent equipment, but not including removable equipment, fuel and passengers. If the technical data sheet indicates a mass of 190 kg and the engine weighs 30 kg, it is already 220 kg, which requires registration.
There's an important caveat about electric traction motors, and many owners of trolling motors mistakenly believe that they don't fall under the rules because they don't have exhaust gases. electric motor It produces more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp), and the rights are mandatory, although in practice such high-powered electric tractions are rare.
Special attention should be paid to the concept of “small vessel”, this category includes rowing boats with a carrying capacity of more than 100 kg, kayaks, sailing vessels, jet skis and small vessels with a length of less than 20 meters. If your boat falls into this category and exceeds the limits in terms of weight or power, you must carry a boatmaster’s license.
Categories of rights and types of engines
The boatmaster's license for a small boat is issued with a specific category, which depends on the type of engine and design of the boat. Unlike motor rights, the classification is narrower, but no less important. The main categories are: "M" for motor boats, "G" for hydrocycles, "P" for sailing boats and "GP" for small craft used for non-commercial purposes. For most owners, it is the category "M" that is relevant.
Within the M category, there may be restrictions on the type of engine, inspectors pay attention to what kind of motor you drive, there is a division into outboard motors and stationary engines, if you passed the test for the control of a boat with a power plant. outboardThis does not give you the automatic right to drive a boat with a stationary internal combustion engine, although in new forms of identification these nuances are often combined into a general category with marks.
It is also important to consider the type of fuel. Gasoline and diesel engines are subject to the general rules for 10 hp. However, for gas turbine engines or steam engines (which is found on rare boats), the rules may differ. When applying for training, you must clearly indicate which vessel you plan to go to the right category, an error in the training stage can lead to the fact that the rights will have to be reworked.
- 🚤 Category "M" - for motor small craft (main for PVC boats and boats).
- 🌊 Category "G" - exclusively for hydrocycles (water motorcycles).
- ⛵ Category "P" - for small sailing vessels (with a sailing area of more than a certain value).
- 🏗️ The category of “SOE” is for small vessels used for non-commercial purposes (often issued after 2015).
And I'm talking about jet ski rights, which are a separate category that require specific skills, and jet skiing requires faster response and knowledge of high-speed maneuvering, and if you're planning to ride a water bike, you won't have enough boat licenses, you'll need to take the G test.
Training and examination process
Self-training is possible, but in practice inspectors rarely allow self-taught students to enter the exam without proof of theoretical training. Training includes learning about navigation, navigation, navigation, and, critically, first aid and water safety.
The examination process consists of two stages: theoretical and practical, the theory is taken as a test on a computer, where you need to correctly answer most of the questions of the ticket, questions concern not only traffic rules for water transport, but also the design of the engine, emergency actions and environmental standards, the practical part is taken directly on the water or on a special simulator that simulates the behavior of the vessel.
☑️ Readiness for the GIMS exam
In the practical exam, the candidate is asked to perform a number of maneuvers: approach to the berth, mooring, rescue of the "man overboard" (imitated by a dummy or buoy), as well as a test of knowledge of the engine's design. The inspector assesses confidence in actions, knowledge of commands and the ability to control the vessel in various conditions. BoatWise It must demonstrate that it will not create an emergency on the water.
⚠️ Attention: The application of the practical exam is prohibited from using outside help, any hint from shore or from another vessel can lead to automatic non-crediting, all actions are performed personally by the candidate.
The cost of training varies depending on the region and the training center, but on average it ranges from 8 to 15 thousand rubles. This amount usually includes the rent of a vessel for the exam, theoretical classes and paperwork. After successful examinations, a certificate is issued that is valid for 10 years, after which it requires renewal (retake of theory or proof of experience).
Required documents and medical certificate
The basic requirement is a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications to the management of small vessels. Since 2021, new requirements for the form of the certificate (001-HS / y), which is issued after passing a medical examination from specialized specialists, including an ophthalmologist and an otolaryngologist, have come into force.
In addition to the medical certificate, you will need to provide the original and a copy of the passport, photos of 3x4 cm (usually 2 pieces), as well as a receipt for payment of the state fee. If you already had rights but their validity has expired, you must also provide the old document. If you change your name or other personal data, you will need documents confirming these changes (for example, a marriage certificate).
Special attention should be paid to photographs, they must be matte, clear and correspond to the current appearance of the candidate; often training centers require the presence of a digital photo on electronic media to form a database.
What to do if you lose your medical records?
In case of loss of the medical certificate, you will have to go through the commission again. This document is not subject to restoration, since it has a limited validity period (usually 1 year) and confirms the state of health at the time of issue.
Table: Comparison of registration and rights requirements
To organize the information, we'll look at the basic scenarios in a comparative table, which will help you quickly determine the status of your boat, and remember that the lack of registration of the vessel and the lack of rights of the driver are two different offenses for which fines are added up.
| Type of vessel/motor | Vessel mass (kg) | Engine power (hp) | Registration with GIMS | Rights (category M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC boat + engine | 200 | up to 10 (inclusive) | Not required | Not required |
| PVC boat + engine | 200 | 10 | Required. | Required. |
| Metal boat | more than 200 | any | Required. | Required. |
| rowboat | more than 200 | no motor | Required. | Not required (only for rowing) |
| Hydrocycle | any | any | Required. | Required (category D) |
The chart shows that only light inflatable boats with low-power engines remain the grey area, but once you change the engine to a more powerful one or move to a heavier hull, you automatically fall under the jurisdiction of GIMS. Important: Even if the rights are not required, the rules of navigation (VDPV) are mandatory for all participants in the movement, regardless of the presence of the engine.
Fines and Liability on Water
Violation of the rules of operation of small craft is regulated by the Code of Administrative Offences (Cao of the Russian Federation), the most common violation is the management of a vessel without a relevant certificate. According to article 11.7 of the administrative code, the management of a small vessel by a person who has no right to drive, entails a fine of 2,000 to 3,000 rubles, an amount that is quite comparable to the cost of training, which makes the violation economically inexpedient.
In addition to the lack of rights, inspectors issue fines for violation of navigation rules, speeding in restricted areas, disregarding the requirements of navigation signs and being intoxicated, the latter is a serious violation and can entail not only a large fine, but also deprivation of the right to drive for up to two years, as well as confiscation of the vessel in some cases.
Unlike traffic police, databases sometimes work with a delay, and having a receipt on board (electronically or paper) will help to avoid repeated fines or arrest of the vessel during re-checking.
It is worth noting that the inspector of the GIMS has the right to detain the boat and drive it to the parking lot until the cause of detention is eliminated (for example, before the arrival of a person with a license), this creates huge inconvenience and additional costs.
The average fine for lack of rights and registration is about 5000 rubles (total), which makes the legalization of the vessel more profitable solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register the outboard motor separately from the boat?
No, there is no separate registration for the engine, the motor fits into the boat's ticket as the power plant of a particular small vessel, but when you buy a new engine, it is issued a passport and a warranty card that you need to keep, and if you change the engine on the boat, you need to make changes to the boat's ticket to the GIMS.
Can I drive a boat with a tractor or car license?
No, the right to drive a car (category B) or a tractor does not give the right to drive a motorized boat. These are different modes of transport and different supervisory authorities (DHS and GIMS respectively), A special boatmaster's certificate for a small vessel is required to drive a boat.
What if I lost my boat ticket on the water?
In the event of loss of documents during the voyage, the inspector can enter the owner's database (through the engine number or VIN code of the boat). However, the absence of documents on board is a violation. It is recommended to carry photocopies or scans of documents on the phone, although they do not have the legal force of the original, but will help identify the owner faster.
Do I need a license to drive a boat within the beach area?
Yes, the rules are the same for all water objects used for swimming, the beach area is often a place of congestion of swimmers, so the safety requirements there are even stricter, driving a motor boat in the area of swimming without a license and outside specially designated fairways is prohibited and dangerous.
How long is the medical certificate for GIMS valid?
The medical certificate for obtaining or replacing the boatmaster's rights is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, after which the new rights will require a re-medication, the boatmaster's certificate itself is issued for a period of 10 years.