Driving a small vessel requires not only driving skills, but also a deep understanding of the rules of the road on water bodies. Navigational environment A river or lake is very different from a highway, because it lacks the usual markings and traffic lights, and every boatmaster must know the priorities, signs and signals to avoid collisions and tragic consequences.
The main document regulating the behavior on the water are: Rules for navigation on inland waterways Violation of these norms entails not only administrative liability in the form of large fines, but also a real threat to the lives of passengers. A boat without running lights becomes invisible to other traffic participants in the dark, which is one of the main causes of accidents.
In this article, we'll go into the details of speed limits, divergence rules and crew requirements, and knowing these details makes a boat ride from a risky venture into a safe and enjoyable experience.
General requirements for boatmaster and vessel
Before getting on the water, you need to make sure you are fully prepared. small-boat It's not just about the engine being in good condition. Yamaha or MercuryThe absence of life jackets by number of people on board or a faulty anchor chain can be fatal in an emergency, and a condition check must be carried out before each navigation.
The shipmaster must carry the documents confirming the right to drive and register the boat; the inspector of GIMS has the full right to stop the boat for inspection at any time; the lack of rights of category M or late registration can lead to the detention of the boat and placement in a special parking lot.
⚠️ Attention: Driving a motorboat while drunk is equivalent to driving a car while drunk, which not only means a huge fine, but also a loss of driving rights and criminal liability in the event of an accident.
Particular attention should be paid load capacity Overloading is a common cause of rollover, especially when abruptly maneuvered or encountered a wave from a passing boat, the weight distribution should be uniform, and passengers should be in their regular seats.
Speed and restrictions
Speed on the water is one of the most critical safety parameters. Unlike roads, the braking distance of a boat is much larger, and maneuverability is limited by inertia and wind exposure. Full speed. It is allowed only at depths where there is no risk of damage to the propeller or creating a dangerous wave for the shore.
In the vicinity of settlements, beaches and places of mass recreation of people, speed should be limited, so as not to create unrest dangerous for bathing and other small boats. Tohatsu or Honda They allow you to develop high speeds, but you need to use them wisely.
When driving in conditions of limited visibility (fog, rain, night), the speed should be reduced to the minimum, allowing you to effectively steer the vessel and stop in time. navigational lights It must be included irrespective of the time of day.
It's important to remember the effect of speed on handling. In planing, the boat becomes more stable, but the turning radius increases. tipping Or throwing passengers overboard.
Rules of divergence and overtaking
On water, as on the road, there is a clear hierarchy of priorities, and the basic rule is that a boat going with the current has an advantage over a boat going against the current, but there are nuances that every captain needs to know. Power-driven vessel Usually gives way to sailing, if the latter does not use the motor.
When overtaking, the overtaking vessel must keep away from the overtaker, so as not to create dangerous excitement or water dilution. Signals by sound or light should be given in advance. The classic overtaking signal on the left is two short horns, on the right - one short.
- 🚤 Hydrofoil boat It has an advantage over conventional motor boats when driving along the fairway.
- ⛵ Sailing-boat It always (priority) over the engine if the engine is not running.
- 🚢 Large vessels (barges, boats) have limited maneuverability, and small vessels are obliged to give way to them in any case.
Disjunction with the oncoming vessel usually occurs on starboard sides. If the situation requires passage on port sides, this must be coordinated by audible signals (two long and two short), Uncoordinated actions are the main cause of frontal collisions.
What to do when you lose control?
In case of a steering failure, you need to immediately release the gas, turn on neutral gear and give a distress signal (five short horns). If the boat carries to rocks or other vessels, use the anchor for braking, but only if the depth allows it to be fixed without risk of damage to the hull.
Navigation signs and signals
Waterways are marked by a system of floating and bank signs that indicate the fairway, dangerous places and prohibited areas. buoy and yard-marks Red usually means the left edge of the fairway (upstream) and green means the right, and going outside the fairway threatens to run aground or encounter an underwater obstacle.
A sound alarm is used to transmit maneuvers and warnings, one long horn means "I'm changing course left" or "I'm moving away from shore." Short horns are used to confirm actions or to express doubts about the safety of the other vessel's maneuver.
| Signal. | Meaning | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 long | Departure from the pier / Turn to the left | Give way / Beware of the road |
| 2 long | Turn right | Give way / Beware of the road |
| 3 short short shorts | Reverse driving | Stay away. |
| 5 short short shorts | Doubts about safety/anxiety | Evaluate the situation immediately |
| Continuous sound | A boat anchored in the fog | Move with extreme caution |
At night, navigation is carried out by running lights: the white top light is visible from the front, the red one is visible from the left, the green one is visible from the right, the white aft light is visible from the rear, and the absence of any of these lights makes the boat blind to others.
Action in emergency situations
A man overboard is the worst situation for any captain. The algorithm must be worked out to the point of automaticity, and the first thing you do is shout out loud, "Man overboard," to get the attention of the crew and the person who fell, and immediately throw a lifeline or molt.
The return maneuver depends on the type of vessel and the conditions. Suzuki or Yamaha It is important not to lose visual contact with the person in the water, and you need to approach slowly, against the wind or current, so that the boat does not pierce the victim, the engine should be raised or turned off before touching the water.
☑️ Checklist of security before exit
⚠️ Attention: Never try to pick up a person from the water at full speed or with a screw working in the water, this can lead to severe injuries or death of the victim, the approach is carried out only at minimum speed or with the engine shut down.
In the event of a fire on board, immediately stop the fuel supply, use a fire extinguisher and, if possible, turn the boat nose to the wind so that the flames are carried back. If the fire cannot be extinguished in a few seconds, SOS should be signaled and prepared for evacuation.
Liability and fines of GIMS
Violations of the rules of navigation on inland waterways are regulated by the Code of Administrative Offences (CAP), fines can range from a warning to deprivation of management rights for up to one year, the size of the sanction depends on the severity of the violation and the presence of victims.
Inspectors pay special attention to the lack of registration of the vessel, the lack of rights of category "M" and drunken driving, repeated violations during the year can lead to a more severe punishment. Administrative arrest It is also possible for refusal to comply with the legal requirement of the employee of the GIMS.
It's important to understand that rules are not designed to be bureaucratic, but to preserve life. The statistics of accidents on the water are relentless: most tragedies are caused by boatmasters themselves, who neglect basic safety standards. Knowledge of the laws is your main defense.
Keep the emergency number 112 and the local GIMS on your phone before you get on the water. In the no-communication zone, it is better to have a satellite tracker or walkie-talkie.
Compliance with the rules of the water is not just a legal obligation, but a guarantee that you and your loved ones will return home alive and well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a 5-hp outboard motor?
For light inflatable boats with low-power engines, where the total weight is less than 200 kg, the rights of category "M" are not required, but registration with the GIMS may still be necessary depending on the length of the vessel.
Can you swim under bridges at high speed?
Absolutely not: Under bridges, narrownesses and fairway turns, traffic must be carried out at a minimum speed, so as not to create waves that are dangerous to shore structures and other vessels, and there are often restrictions on dimensions under bridges.
What if the fuel runs out in the middle of the water?
You need to anchor the boat so that it doesn't fall into the fairway or to dangerous objects, turn on the position lights (if it's dark) and give a distress signal if the situation becomes dangerous, use Channel 16 on the radio or mobile phone to communicate.
Is it allowed to swim from a moving boat?
No, it is prohibited by safety regulations, and swimming is only permitted from an anchored vessel in designated places where it is not prohibited by signs, and jumping from a moving boat ("vatrushki", "bananas") also often causes injuries and fines.