Going out on the water on your own boat is always a holiday, but it requires strict compliance with the regulations. Rules on the water on the motor boat GIMS They set a clear framework of conduct that could lead to not only an administrative fine but also a real threat to life. Many small boat owners mistakenly believe that signs or life jackets can be ignored on a small boat, but the inspectors of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels check compliance with the norms very carefully.
The reservoir is a high-risk zone, where the cost of error is calculated in minutes, which is why the legislation of the Russian Federation is regularly updated, introducing new requirements for technical equipment and qualifications of the captain. Motorboat This is a source of increased danger, and management of it is equivalent to driving a car, with all the ensuing consequences, including the need for rights and registration of the vessel. In this article, we will discuss all aspects of navigation in detail, so that your vacation is not clouded by communication with law enforcement.
The basic document regulating behavior on the water is the “Rules of navigation on the inland waterways of the Russian Federation”, which cover everything from speed to overtaking rules of other vessels, and ignorance of these laws does not absolve from responsibility, so every boatmaster needs to know his duties. GIME The boat has the right to stop any vessel for the inspection of documents at any time, and the willingness to present them is the first rule of a competent captain.
BoatWise requirements and rights
The first step in legal navigation is to have a master's license, and under current law, operating a small vessel with a motor of more than 8 kW (approximately 10 hp) requires the right to category "M" or a corresponding subcategory. Certificate of management It is important to understand that the right to drive a car category "B" does not give the right to take the helm of a boat with an engine.
The age limit is also strictly regulated: autonomous driving is allowed for persons over 18 years of age, however, there are exceptions for sports and recreational purposes, where driving is allowed from 16 years of age, but only under the supervision of adults or as part of organized groups, the lack of rights is equivalent to driving without a driver's license and entails a serious fine, which can be up to several thousand rubles.
In addition to the presence of a crust, the skipper must have an identity document with him, and the inspector of the GIMS has the right to check whether the photo corresponds to the person at the hummel. Copies of documentsEven notarized ones are often not accepted on water, so originals must be in a waterproof bag in an easily accessible place, and it is also worth remembering that driving while drunk on the water is even more punishable than on the road, with the possibility of arresting a boat.
⚠️ Note: Driving a small craft by a person who does not have a driving license carries a fine, repeated violation or drunk driving can lead to the confiscation of the boat and motor.
Registration of small craft and marking
Equally important is the legality of the boat itself: all motorboats weighing more than 200 kg together with the engine are subject to mandatory registration in the register of small vessels of the GIMS. boat registration certificateThe boat's main document, like the PTS on the car, has all the technical specifications, owners and number of the boat.
The number of a small vessel shall be marked in contrasting colour on both sides in the middle part, the height of the numbers and letters is strictly regulated - not less than 150 mm, and the width - not less than 100 mm. This is necessary for the identification of the vessel from the shore or from boats passing by.
| Parameter | GIMS requirement | Consequences of violation |
|---|---|---|
| Motor mass | Up to 200 kg – registration is not required | Penalty for non-registration |
| Engine power | Up to 8 kW (10 hp) – no rights required | Penalty for management without a license |
| boat registration certificate | Original on board | Detention of the vessel |
| Life jackets | By number of people on board | Fine for each passenger |
When selling a boat, the new owner is obliged to reissue the documents within 10 days, and buying "from hand" without deregistration by the previous owner creates problems for the new owner. Registration marks The number must be issued once and must be retained throughout the life of the boat, and if the number has been erased or damaged as a result of an accident, it must be restored in accordance with the original data from the boat's ticket.
Mandatory equipment and safety on board
Safety on the water is ensured not only by the skills of the captain, but also by the availability of serviceable equipment. Life jacket The vests must be the size of each person on board, including children, and the use of inflatable circles or improvised products instead of certified vests is prohibited and is considered by inspectors as a gross violation of safety regulations.
In addition to vests, on board must be an anchor with a line of sufficient length, a scoop, a lifeline and a means for sound signals (whistle or horn). For motor boats, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher are also required (if the design of the boat and the power of the engine suggest a risk of fire). Buckets. For pumping water, if the boat is not equipped with an automatic pump, must also be available.
☑️ Checklist of security before exit
Special attention should be paid to the condition of the vessel itself before each exit, a leak, a faulty transom or a jammed steering wheel can become fatal in an open body of water. Technical status If the inspector of the GIMS finds that the boat is unfit for navigation (for example, a broken side or a faulty engine), he has the right to prohibit access to the water or to require immediate proceed to shore.
⚠️ Warning: The absence of life jackets or their improper condition (torn belts, broken fasteners) is one of the most common grounds for issuing a fine.
Speed and navigation signs
On water, as on roads, there are different speed limits: near settlements, beaches, places of mass recreation of people and the parking lots of other boats, speed must be limited so as not to create a dangerous wave. GEMURE Rules The boatmaster is required to choose the speed that allows him to control the situation and stop in time, and exceeding speed often causes boats to overturn on turns or collisions with sudden obstacles.
Navigation and navigation signs are mandatory for everyone: “Anchors not to be thrown”, “Bathing is forbidden”, “Overtaking is prohibited” or fairway signs are not recommendations, but requirements. Ignoring the “No Movement” sign in a protected area or water intake protection zone can lead to serious legal consequences, up to criminal liability if environmental damage is caused.
What do the main signs on the water mean?
The Red Buoy sign indicates the left edge of the fairway when moving upstream. The White Flag with a Blue Cross sign is a bathing place, motorboats are prohibited from entering the perimeter. The Red Circle sign is prohibited from moving.
When driving at night or in conditions of limited visibility (fog, rain), a motorboat must carry running lights, usually a white all-round light on the top (mast) and side lights (red left, green right), driving without lights in the dark is strictly prohibited, as it makes the vessel invisible to other participants in the movement. Lantern The hand is not a replacement for a stationary running light.
Overtaking rules, divergences and priorities
Shipping requires a clear hierarchy and rules of maneuvering. The basic rule is that a vessel going downstream (in the stream) has an advantage over an upstream vessel. When overtaking, the overtaking vessel must make sure that the maneuver is safe and sound the beep. Other vessels can only be overtaken from the left side unless otherwise instructed, and with a safe distance, so as not to turn the smaller vessel over with its own wave.
Passenger boats, vessels with limited maneuverability and warships have special status, motor boats are obliged to give way to them in any case, boats following the fairway also take priority, and you need to go to the fairway in a small boat without urgent need and cross it perpendicularly with extreme caution, giving way to all who move along the fairway.
Whenever they diverge from another vessel on a collision course, both boatmasters must shift to the right, passing each other on the left sides, a basic rule that often leads to head-on collisions. Maneuvering It should be predictable: if you decide to turn, the other captain must understand this from your actions and signals in advance.
Professional advice: When you diverge from a large boat or barge, stay away from their stern. Powerful swirls of water (suloi) from the propellers of a large boat can instantly flip a light motorboat, even if you are 20-30 meters from the side.
Fines and liability for violations
Violations of the rules for the use of small courts are regulated by the Administrative Offences Code (CAO), the amount of fines varies depending on the severity of the offense, for example, driving a boat without a license or registration will cost from 2 to 3 thousand rubles.
Driving while intoxicated is considered the most serious offence, with fines of up to 30,000 rubles or administrative arrest of up to 15 days, and the vessel can be placed in a parking lot, the cost of which is borne by the owner, and repeated violations within a year can lead to criminal liability. GIME Keeps databases of violators, and to avoid responsibility, just calling another name, will not work.
Not having a medical exam is equivalent to being intoxicated, so the only strategy is to be completely compliant and sobriety. Administrative responsibility It is not just money, it is a biography that can block access to certain professions or travel abroad.
Compliance with the rules of the GIMS is not only a way to avoid a fine, but also to ensure that you and your loved ones will return from the water alive and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a PVC boat with a 5 hp engine?
Not if the total weight of the curbed vessel and the mounted motor does not exceed 200 kg. Most inflatable boats with low-power engines weigh much less than this limit, so registration and rights to them are not required.
Can I swim closer than 50 meters from the swimmers?
Absolutely not. The rules prohibit people from approaching a bathing site closer than 50 meters, or developing a speed that creates excitement, and this is done to protect swimmers who can be dragged under water or hit by a screw.
What happens if you run out of gas in the middle of the water?
This is not an offence in itself, but can be considered an emergency if you block the fairway, in which case you need to set a signal "boat is not steering" (two black balls vertically or a red flag during the day) and try to get the boat out of the way of others using oars or anchor.
Do you have a boat license if it is issued in the USSR?
Yes, small vessel licences issued in the USSR are valid indefinitely in the Russian Federation if issued for the management of vessels of a similar type, but it is recommended to replace them with a new model at the earliest opportunity to simplify the verification procedures.