When going for a boat trip or fishing, many owners floater They forget that water is not forgiving of mistakes, and even the calm surface of a lake can suddenly become a dangerous element, especially if the boat is not properly prepared, and compliance with the rules of safety on the water is not just a formality, but a vital necessity that preserves people's health and lives.
Inflatable boats from PVC They have excellent buoyancy and stability, but they have their own designs that require special attention. Punctures, improper loading or a sudden gust of wind can be fatal if the crew does not know the algorithms for dealing with an emergency, which is why knowing the rules of behavior on the water should be as natural as the ability to swim.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the safe operation of small craft, from equipment preparation to rollover actions. Inflatable sides of the boat in contact with sharp objects under water lose buoyancy instantly, so the presence of spare cylinders or repair kit is mandatory. Let’s look at how to minimize the risks and get the most out of the water.
Mandatory equipment and inspection of craft
Before launching, you need to do a thorough visual inspection of the hull, any, even a microscopic scratch on the surface. reinforcedIt can become a tear when pressed, and pay special attention to the seams and the places where the transom is pasted, because that's where the most common hidden defects occur.
In addition to visual inspection, check the availability and serviceability of all attachments. Air-trafficers The absence of at least one element from the mandatory list can lead to a fine from the inspector of the GIMS or, worse, to an emergency.
The list of mandatory equipment varies depending on the type of reservoir and the distance from the shore, but the basic set is the same for all. lifejackets The number of people is an indisputable rule, ignoring which statistically increases the risk of death in an emergency.
- 🛟 A life jacket is available for every person on board (even if they can swim).
- ⚓ An anchor with a line length of at least three depths at the parking lot.
- 🔦 A light or white light source (for movement in the dark).
- 🔧 Repair kit and pump (hand or foot) in sealed packaging.
Remember that the weight load on the boat must strictly correspond to the data-sheet figures, overloading even 50 kilograms critically reduces the weight of the boat. freeboardThis makes the boat unstable and prone to flooding.
☑️ Preliminary inspection of the boat
GIMS requirements and legal aspects
The State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Vessels (GIMS) regulates the rules for the use of small-sized vessels in the territory of the Russian Federation. flyboat The registration of a vessel is required if its length exceeds 3 meters or the power of the installed engine exceeds 8 hp (for boats up to 3 meters).
When meeting with the inspector, you must have documents proving the ownership of the vessel and the engine, as well as a certificate of the right to drive a small vessel of the appropriate category.
⚠️ Attention: Driving at speeds of more than 5 km/h within beach areas, in public recreation areas and within populated areas is prohibited, and speeding near bathers is one of the most common causes of injuries.
There are also time and weather restrictions: no water is allowed under storm warnings; at night, a white navigation light must be on board, visible from all sides if the vessel is on the move, or two lights (red and green) if the vessel is anchored, although for small dimensions, one white light, illuminating a 360-degree sector, is often sufficient.
Landing rules and load distribution
Getting in an inflatable boat is a guarantee of its sustainability, unlike hard-hull boats. PVC boats They have a soft side, which when rolled can go under the water, creating a "water cushion" effect and aggravating the tilt, you need to get into the boat in the center, on the bottom, gently crossing the side, in any case without relying on the full weight of an inflated balloon.
The distribution of the load must be symmetrical with respect to the diametric plane and transom axis. batteryIf you want to put an anchor box or a fuel supply as low as possible on the floor of the cockpit, and lock them so that they don't shift when rolling, a shift in the center of gravity even by 20-30 centimeters can lead to a sharp roll.
Passengers should be positioned evenly, without creating a differentiation on the nose or stern. If there is one person in the boat, he should sit strictly in the center on the rear jar (if the engine is not installed) or on the middle jar, keeping balance.
| Load element | Recommended place of accommodation | Method of fixing |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | In the bow, on the floor. | In a special box, fixed with slings |
| Anchor | In the nose or at the feet | Limit to avoid falling overboard spontaneously |
| Passengers | Evenly across banks | Sitting on cans, feet inside the cockpit |
| Fishing tackle | In bags along the sides | In soft air bags that do not injure the board |
Behavior on water under different conditions
Being on the water requires constant monitoring of the environment, even experienced boaters should avoid moving towards a large wave at an angle, as this can lead to a tipping over. small-boatInflatable boats have low sailing but a high degree of drift, so the wind can tear the boat down faster than you notice a change in position.
When you're in the middle of the waves, you have to slow down and you have to have the boat nose or stern to be excited, and the side wave is the most dangerous for an inflatable boat, and if you notice a large boat approaching, you have to take a forward course to the boat, because the wave it creates can be dangerous.
Features of the movement against the current
When you move against the current, try to stay closer to the shore where the current is weaker. However, remember about shallow water and snags that can damage the shell of the boat. The optimal strategy is to zigzag from one calm area to another using the "spins" near the shore.
In fog or in limited visibility, you should stop driving and anchor, and you can hear the scream or whistle in the fog much further than in the calm, so having a whistle on every crew member is a great idea. Don't rely on electronic navigators alone, they can go out at the most inopportune moment.
Action in emergency situations
The worst situation for an inflatable boat owner is a puncture of a balloon at the depth. multi-chamber They keep buoyancy even when one cylinder fails completely. If you hear a hiss, put on a life jacket immediately (if it has been removed) and assess the situation.
If the boat is rapidly losing buoyancy, you have to turn it upside down, and in this position, the air bag holds the vessel to the surface, and the crew can hold on to the inverted cylinders, which also makes it easier to install a patch or pump the balloon if the damage is small.
- 🆘 Give a distress signal (whistle, lantern, bright fabric on the paddle).
- 🧥 Make sure everyone is in life jackets.
- 🚫 Do not try to row to the shore if the boat has completely lost its course and is far away - you will only get tired.
- 🤝 Keep the group: hold on to the boat or tie the boats together if there are more than one.
⚠️ Attention: Attempting to swim on a fully deflated rowing boat often results in a complete rupture of the shell against the bottom relief.
When you overturn in deep water, don't let go of the boat. It's your main floating vehicle. Climb on the inverted hull, trying to spread the weight, or hold on to the hump. submerged (built into a floor or jar), it won't sink even completely filled with water.
Keep your breath calm. In cold water, panic breathing accelerates heat loss and can lead to seizures. Breathe deeply and rhythmically to keep your mind clear.
Features of operation with the motor
Use of use outboard This is a safety requirement, and before starting the engine, make sure that the end of the cheque is worn on the wrist or on the life jacket, which is a device for emergency stopping the engine when a person falls overboard.
It is forbidden to start the engine if there are people in the water, or if the boat is not fixed. Sharp thrust can tear the rummel from your hands or turn over a light inflatable boat. When maneuvering, avoid sharp turns at high speed, as centrifugal force can throw passengers overboard.
Watch the engine temperature and the presence of a control stream of water. Overheating the engine on an inflatable boat is dangerous not only for the breakdown of equipment, but also for the risk of fire, which in a confined space of a cockpit with gasoline vapors can be a disaster. Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Never leave a working engine unattended, even for a few minutes, the boat can be blown by wind or current, and the engine can stall or, conversely, go full throttle.
Seasonal storage and conservation
Safety starts well before going out on the water and depends on how you stored the boat in the offseason. PVC materials It prevents aging, microcracks and seams from dissecting. Before cleaning, the boat must be thoroughly washed with fresh water, removing sand, silt and fish mucus, which may contain aggressive chemicals.
Dry the boat in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can cause local overheating and deformation of the material. Store the product should be spread out or half-folded in a dry room at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer (usually from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius).
Regularly, even during storage, check the condition of the valves and the pressure in the cylinders. A sharp drop in pressure in winter may indicate a leakage disorder that must be corrected before the start of the next season. soap-solution to look for micropunctures if the boat started to "poison".
Do I need to register an inflatable boat without a motor?
Under current Russian law, registration is required for small vessels weighing up to 200 kg and engine power up to 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). If your inflatable boat without an engine weighs less than 200 kg, registration with GIMS is not required. However, when installing the engine, the total weight of the vessel and engine should not exceed 200 kg for exemption from registration.
What pressure should be in the PVC tubes of the boat?
The optimum working pressure is usually 0.2 atmospheres (about 200 mbar or 3 psi). Excess pressure is dangerous in hot weather, as when heated in the sun, the air expands and can break the seams. Insufficient pressure reduces the rigidity of the structure and increases the risk of damage to the bottom of the stones.
What to do if the boat is blown away from the shore?
Don't try to swim against a strong wind unless you have a reliable anchor or a powerful motor, but you'd better use an anchor to stand on it and keep the boat out of the open water, or you'd row to the nearest safe place, paired with your partner, and if the wind is stormy, you'd better lay down at the bottom of the boat, lowering your sailing speed, and wait for help.
Can I use an inflatable boat at sea?
Use is only possible in calm weather and near shore, inflatable boats have a low freeboard and high sailing, which makes them extremely unstable on the sea wave, going to the open sea in an inflatable boat without the appropriate experience and equipment is deadly.