Boating

June 14, 2022

Many citizens own various watercraft (boats, jet skis, motorboats, etc.), while others use rented ones. In any case, water recreation enthusiasts must remember that operating any watercraft requires strict adherence to safety rules during their use, the violation of which can lead to irreparable consequences:

On May 18, 2021, a 61-year-old man with two Minsk residents aged 23 and 50 went out on a motorboat into the waters of Lake Naroch. While more than 2 km from the shoreline, the vessel began to sink, and the three men ended up in the water. By the time rescuers arrived, only the 50-year-old man was holding onto the submerged boat; he was hospitalized. The others were recovered from the water without signs of life. It was later discovered that the watercraft lacked a stern float, which prevented it from staying afloat in case of water ingress.

On May 19, 2021, a boat with three people capsized on the Western Dvina River in Verkhnedvinsk. A 46-year-old resident of Verkhnedvinsk and a 59-year-old resident of Miory were carried away by the current, while the third person managed to get out of the water and escape. Rescuers found the victims 200 meters from the shore. They were recovered from the water and brought to shore. The rescued individuals were hospitalized with hypothermia.

On July 16, 2021, the Ministry of Emergency Situations received a report that a pleasure boat had capsized in the Rogachev district, on Lake "Svyatoye," with 15 people in the water requesting assistance. As it turned out, during their leisure time, a group of 14 people went for a boat trip. While underway, the boat listed beyond critical limits, causing it to capsize. The boat was equipped with only 8 life jackets and 2 life-saving devices.

circle. At the time of capsizing, three children were wearing life jackets. The man operating the boat fled the scene. He illegally operated the boat, specifically: he allowed 14 people on board the vessel, which violated the requirements for safe operation of a small vessel.

Important! All persons on board a watercraft must wear life jackets.

It is prohibited to:

- exceed the established number of people on board;

- operate watercraft while intoxicated;

- the person operating the watercraft shall not enter areas marked by buoys designated for swimming;

- jump into the water from a boat;

- sit on the sides, move from place to place, and transfer to other boats or vessels;

- go out on the water in watercraft not designed for this purpose;

- approach watercraft closely, as whirlpools, waves, and currents can form near them: a swimmer can be pulled under them.