To owners of small vessels
February 1, 2022
The State Inspectorate for Small Vessels (GIMS) of the Vitebsk region informs that annually there are cases of emergency use of small vessels (rowing and motor boats, motorboats, jet skis, sailing and motor yachts) in our region, which pose a threat to the life and health of people, citizens receive serious injuries, and often the death of both the vessel owner and passengers of the small vessel occurs. And in 2021, there was an increase in such cases compared to 2020.
The State Inspectorate for Small Vessels (GIMS) of the Vitebsk region informs that annually there are cases of emergency use of small vessels (rowing and motor boats, motorboats, jet skis, sailing and motor yachts) in our region, which pose a threat to the life and health of people, citizens receive serious injuries, and often the death of both the vessel owner and passengers of the small vessel occurs. And in 2021, there was an increase in such cases compared to 2020.
Thus, in 2021, 7 emergency cases involving small vessels were recorded in the Vitebsk region, in which 9 people died (drowned). The deaths of people on small vessels occurred in Ushachsky (2 people died), Verkhnedvinsky (2), Polotsky (4), and Gorodoksky (1) districts. For comparison, in 2020, 5 similar cases occurred in the Vitebsk region, in which 7 people died.
The causes of death in these cases were:
- disregard for elementary safety measures when using small vessels, specifically the use of a life jacket and ignoring adverse weather conditions;
- non-compliance with existing rules for the use of small vessels regarding their safe operation (according to paragraph 3 of clause 19 of the Rules for the use of small vessels, it is prohibited to operate a small vessel if it has not undergone state registration and classification and (or) technical inspection in the prescribed manner).
Based on this, the GIMS of the Vitebsk region urges citizens to comply with the established requirements when operating small vessels and to ensure their safe use to the maximum extent possible.
The GIMS of the Vitebsk region informs vessel operators and residents of the region that small vessels are subject to mandatory registration and classification, with the exception of rowing boats, kayaks, and inflatable vessels with a carrying capacity of less than 225 kilograms.
Operation of a small vessel is possible only after registration in the vessel logbook; assignment of hull numbers and technical inspection, carried out immediately after state registration or during its operation.
Operation of a small vessel without undergoing technical inspection within the established timeframes and in the established manner is prohibited.
Operators of motorized small vessels are required to have with them a certificate of the right to operate a pleasure motorboat with an engine power exceeding 5 horsepower and a vessel registration certificate for the small vessel.
Based on the "Rules for the Use of Small Vessels and Bases (Structures) for Their Mooring," the vessel operator and persons on board a small vessel during movement must wear fastened life jackets. Some citizens disregard 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.
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