GIMS informs

INFORMATION FROM GIMS FOR PUBLICATION ON THE WEBSITES OF CITY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OF THE VITEBSK REGION, IN MASS MEDIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKS

GIMS informs!

In 2024, 7 people died on the waters of the Vitebsk region while using small vessels: in Ushachsky (1 deceased in February 2024 on Lake Otolovo), Gorodoksky (1 deceased in September 2024 on Lake Apukovo), Verkhnedvinsky (2 deceased in October and November 2024 on Lake Osveyskoye), and Rossony (3 deceased in November 2024 on the Nisch River and Lake Gorodno) districts.

An analysis of deaths on small vessels on the waters of the Vitebsk region over the past 5 years shows a total of 35 fatalities. The most unfavorable situation is observed in the Verkhnedvinsky district, where 7 people have died on the waters using small vessels in the last 5 years. In this context, it is also worth noting 2 districts – Ushachsky (5 deaths) and Chashniksky (4 deaths and 4 rescued), as well as Polotsky district – 4 deaths. In addition, deaths on small vessels have been recorded in Rossony and Gorodok districts (3 boat owners deceased each), 2 people drowned in Braslav district, and one death each was recorded in Beshenkovichsky, Vitebsk, Lepelsky, Miorsky, Orshansky, Sennensky, and Sharkovshchinsky districts.

The main causes of death on small vessels are:

- absence (or non-use) of life jackets – 100%;

- state of alcohol intoxication or chronic diseases – 55%;

- movement on the vessel while it is in motion – 33%;

- going out on the water in adverse weather conditions – 11%.

Negative air temperature and cold water also give a person no chance of survival if they find themselves in icy water. A person dies when their body temperature drops below 26 degrees Celsius (this is approximately 30 minutes of exposure to cold water). Being at a significant distance from the shore, even a life jacket may not help you. In the cold season, if something happens to your vessel (it capsizes, loses watertightness, etc.), or you fall overboard, the outcome will be tragic!

The average profile of a deceased small vessel user is as follows: a middle-aged and predominantly elderly man who neglects to comply with safety requirements when operating a small vessel (lack of a life jacket), relies on his own strength when going out on the water in a small vessel, and is under the influence of alcohol.

Analyzing the causes and conditions that contributed to an emergency with a fatality, it can be stated that people wearing a fastened life jacket on a small vessel significantly increase their chances of survival if they fall into the water, as all fatalities were without life jackets.

To prevent fatalities involving small vessels, employees of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels of the Vitebsk region annually bring more than 800 people to administrative responsibility for violating the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels.

The main violations identified during the operation of small vessels are:

- operation without life jackets;

- operation without a license to operate a vessel with an engine power of more than 5 hp;

- operation without vessel registration;

- operation without undergoing technical inspection;

- operation without appropriate vessel equipment;

- exceeding the vessel's passenger capacity;

- exceeding the permissible power of the outboard engine.

The safety of operating small vessels also depends on compliance with the technical requirements applicable to such vessels.

The owner must register a small vessel within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase or acquisition of the small vessel on any other legal basis. Rowing small vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 225 kg are not subject to registration (the use of an outboard motor on such vessels is not permitted).

Before operating a small vessel, a technical inspection is carried out within 10 days after its state registration and classification, or on the day of state registration and classification, provided that the registration number is applied to the small vessel.

The frequency of technical inspections for registered small vessels is as follows:

- for rowing small vessels, less than 10 years have passed since their year of manufacture, including the year of manufacture - 5 years;

- for small vessels with an engine, less than 10 years have passed since their year of manufacture, including the year of manufacture - 3 years;

- for other small vessels and personal watercraft, less than 10 years have passed since their year of manufacture, including the year of manufacture - 2 years;

- for small vessels, 10 or more years have passed since their year of manufacture - 1 year.

Operation of a small vessel without undergoing technical inspection within the established timeframes and procedure is prohibited.

In accordance with the Rules for the use of small vessels and bases (structures) for their mooring (para. 7 of these Rules), each small vessel must be operated in good technical condition with the necessary set of equipment (anchor, anchor rope, mooring rope, bilge pump (scoop), oars, safety equipment (life jackets for the number of people on board), fire extinguisher for motor boats, lantern, first-aid kit, repair kit (for PVC boats).

Also, in accordance with clause 9 of the Rules, it is stipulated that the skipper and persons on board a small vessel while in motion must wear fastened life jackets.