THE STATE INSPECTION FOR SMALL VESSELS OF VITEBSK REGION INFORMS!

The State Inspection for Small Vessels (GIMS) of Vitebsk region informs citizens that every year there are cases of emergency use of small vessels (rowing and motor boats, yachts, jet skis, sailing-motor yachts) in our region, which pose a threat to the life and health of people, resulting in serious injuries, and often leading to fatalities of both the vessel owner and passengers of the small vessel. In 2021, there was an increase in such cases compared to 2020.

Thus, in 2021, 7 emergency cases were recorded in Vitebsk region involving small vessels, resulting in the deaths (drownings) of 9 people. Fatalities occurred in the Ushachsky (2 fatalities), Verkhnedvinsky (2), Polotsky (4), and Gorodoksky (1) districts.

For comparison, in 2020, there were 5 similar cases in Vitebsk region, resulting in the deaths of 7 people.

Therefore, there is an increase in the number of emergency cases compared to 2020 – 7 to 5 cases (+39%), and the number of fatalities has also increased from 7 to 9 people (+28%).

In the last 3 years, due to violations of the "Rules for the Use of Small Vessels and Bases (Structures) for Their Moorings," 16 fatalities have been recorded in Vitebsk region, specifically:

• Verkhnedvinsky district (6 fatalities) – in January 2020, 4 people drowned in Lake Osveiskoye, and in September 2021, citizens born in 1935 and 1980 drowned;
• Polotsky district (4 fatalities) – in July 2021, a citizen born in 1950 drowned in Lake Navlitskoye, in September 2021, a man born in 1966 drowned in Lake Sosna, and in November 2021, 2 citizens born in 1971 drowned in Lake Kolpino;
• Gorodoksky district (2 fatalities) – in December 2020, a man born in 1985 drowned in Lake Sosna, and in July 2021, a citizen born in 1986 drowned in Lake Beloe;
• Ushachsky district (2 fatalities) – in April 2021, a man born in 1954 drowned in Lake Krivoye, and in June 2021, a citizen born in 1954 drowned in Lake Otolovo;
• Beshenkovichsky district (1 fatality) – in March 2020, a citizen drowned in Lake Polozerye;
• Orsha district (1 fatality) – in August 2020, a man born in 1964 drowned in Lake Orekhovskoye.

The causes of fatalities in these cases were:

• neglect of basic safety measures when using small vessels regarding the use of life jackets and failure to take into account adverse weather conditions (according to paragraph 9 of the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels, the helmsman and persons on board the small vessel during movement must wear fastened life jackets; according to paragraph 10 of paragraph 16 of the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels, the operation of a small vessel is prohibited in adverse meteorological conditions);
• neglect of personal safety measures when going out on the water in a small vessel, i.e., operating a small vessel alone after suffering a serious illness or having chronic diseases affecting the overall condition of the body (according to paragraph 3 of paragraph 16 of the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels, the helmsman is prohibited from operating a small vessel in a sick or fatigued state, which poses a threat to navigation safety, under the influence of medications that reduce attention and reaction speed);
• failure to comply with existing rules for the use of small vessels regarding their safe operation (according to paragraph 3 of paragraph 19 of the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels, the operation of a small vessel is prohibited if the small vessel has not undergone state registration and classification and/or technical inspection in the established manner).

In light of this, GIMS of Vitebsk region urges citizens to comply with the established requirements when operating small vessels and to ensure maximum safety in their use.

GIMS of Vitebsk region informs vessel operators and residents of the region that small vessels, except for rowing boats, kayaks, and inflatable vessels with a carrying capacity of less than 225 kilograms, are subject to mandatory registration and classification. Small vessels are defined as vessels up to 20 meters in length with a maximum allowable number of people on board not exceeding 12, including vessels with outboard motors and jet skis.

The owner must register the small vessel within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase of the small vessel or acquisition on another legal basis.

Before the operation of the small vessel, a technical inspection is conducted within 10 days after its state registration and classification, or on the day of state registration and classification if the registration number is applied to the small vessel.

The operation of the small vessel is only possible after registration in the ship's log; application of hull numbers and technical inspection, conducted immediately after state registration or during its operation - the technical documentation for the vessel is checked, the equipment is verified; the navigation area, vessel capacity, and other mandatory conditions and technical requirements are established.

Technical inspection is conducted to prevent the operation of small vessels that do not meet the safety requirements for navigation of small vessels on the internal waterways of the Republic of Belarus. During the technical inspection, the presence of relevant documentation, the availability of equipment, and the integrity of the main elements of the vessel and its technical condition are checked.

The operation of a small vessel without undergoing technical inspection within the established time frame and in the established manner is prohibited.

It is best to undergo registration and technical inspection at the beginning of spring. There is significant demand at GIMS sites before the season opens and in the first months.

Additionally, only helmsmen with the right to operate small vessels are allowed to operate motor vessels.

Helmsmen of motor small vessels must carry a certificate of the right to operate a pleasure motor vessel with an engine power exceeding 3.7 kilowatts (5 horsepower) and a ship ticket for the small vessel subject to registration.

In accordance with the "Rules for the Use of Small Vessels and Bases (Structures) for Their Moorings" and the resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated April 16, 2014, No. 11 "On Approval of Rules for Ensuring Technical Safety," a small vessel must be equipped with the following equipment:

1. A set of oars.

2. Rescue equipment – individual life jackets (of industrial manufacture) in the number of people on board.

3. Bilge equipment:

- motorboats and rowing boats - a bucket or floating scoop made of unsinkable material;

- motorboats - a bilge pump.

4. Firefighting equipment:

- a fire extinguisher with a mass of extinguishing substance of at least 2 kg (except for rowing and sailing vessels, jet skis).

5. A medical first aid kit.

6. A repair kit (for PVC boats).

7. An anchor device (anchor and anchor rope at least 15 meters long).

8. A mooring rope (the vessel must be equipped with mooring ends equal to two lengths of the vessel's hull, but not less than 5 m).

9. A signaling device (navigation lights (lantern) and whistle).

Based on the "Rules for the Use of Small Vessels and Bases (Structures) for Their Moorings," the helmsman and persons on board the small vessel during movement must wear fastened life jackets. Some citizens neglect this rule, which sometimes leads to human casualties.

The rules for the use of small vessels apply not only to small vessels subject to registration but also to those that do not require registration.

Officials of the State Institution "State Inspection for Small Vessels" are empowered to draw up protocols on administrative offenses and prepare cases on administrative offenses for consideration, as provided for by Articles 18.7 and 18.33 of the "Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses."

Information on current legislative acts regarding the use of small vessels, contacts of territorial GIMS units, and other necessary information is available at the electronic address: https://gims.mchs.gov.by