The State Inspection for Small Vessels informs!

In 2024, 7 people died on the water bodies of the Vitebsk region while using small vessels: in the Ushachsky district (1 deceased in February 2024 on Lake Otolovo), in the Gorodok district (1 deceased in September 2024 on Lake Apukovo), in the Verkhnedvinsk district (2 deceased in October and November 2024 on Lake Osveiskoye), and in the Rossony district (3 deceased in November 2024 on the Nisha River and Lake Gorodno).

The analysis of the facts of death on small vessels in the water bodies of the Vitebsk region over the last 5 years reflects a total death toll of 35 people. The most unfavorable situation is observed in the Verkhnedvinsk district, where 7 people died on the water bodies while using small vessels over the last 5 years. Additionally, it is worth noting 2 districts – Ushachsky (5 deaths) and Chashnitsky (4 deaths and 4 rescued), as well as the Polotsk district – 4 deceased individuals. Furthermore, death incidents on small vessels have been recorded in the Rossony and Gorodok districts (3 deceased vessel owners each), 2 people drowned in the Braslav district, and there are cases of 1 deceased recorded in the Beshankovichsky, Vitebsk, Lepel, Miory, Orsha, Sennensky, and Sharkovshchina districts.

The main causes of death of people on small vessels are:

-    absence (or not wearing) life jackets – 100%;

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

-    movement on the vessel during its movement – 33%;

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

Negative air temperature and cold water also do not give a person a chance to survive if they find themselves in icy water. A person dies at a body temperature of less than 26 degrees (this is approximately 30 minutes in cold water). Being at a significant distance from the shore, even a worn life jacket may not help you. In cold weather, if something happens to your vessel (capsizes, loses buoyancy, etc.), or if you fall overboard, the outcome will be tragic!

The average profile of a deceased small vessel user is as follows – it is a middle-aged and predominantly older man who neglects safety requirements when operating a small vessel (absence of a life jacket), relies on his own strength when going out on the water in a small vessel, and is in a state of alcohol intoxication.

Analyzing the causes and conditions that contributed to the accident resulting in a person's death, it can be stated that being on a small vessel while wearing a fastened life jacket maximally increases their chances of survival when falling into the water, as all the deceased were without life jackets.

In order to prevent deaths of people using small vessels, annually more than 800 people are held administratively liable by the GIMS employees of the Vitebsk region for violating the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels.

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

-    operation without life jackets;

-    operation without a valid driver's license for engines over 5 hp;

-    operation without vessel registration;

-    operation without passing technical inspection;

-    operation without appropriate vessel equipment;

-    exceeding the passenger capacity of the vessel;

-    exceeding the permissible power of the outboard engine.

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

To register a small vessel, the owner must do so within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase of the small vessel or acquisition on another legal basis. Rowing small vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 225 kg are not subject to registration (the use of outboard engines on such vessels is not allowed).

Before starting the operation of a 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 provided that the registration number is applied to the small vessel.

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

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

-    for small vessels with engines, less than 10 years since the year of manufacture, including the year of manufacture - 3 years;

-    for other small vessels and jet skis, less than 10 years since the year of manufacture, including the year of manufacture - 2 years;

-    for small vessels, 10 years or more since the year of manufacture - 1 year.

Operation of a small vessel without passing technical inspections within the established timeframes and procedures is prohibited.

According to the Rules for the Use of Small Vessels and Bases (Structures) for Their Parking (p. 7 of these Rules), each small vessel must be operated in a sound technical condition with the necessary equipment (anchor, anchor rope, mooring rope, bilge pump (bucket), oars, rescue equipment (life jackets in the number of people on board), fire extinguisher for motor vessels, flashlight, first aid kit, repair kit (for PVC boats).

Also, according to p. 9 of the Rules, it is stipulated that the helmsman and persons on the small vessel during movement must wear fastened life jackets.

Information about current legislative acts, contacts of territorial GIMS units is available at the electronic address: https://gims.mchs.gov.by

Do not neglect wearing a life jacket, it significantly increases your chances of survival! Be careful and take care of yourself, help those who are in trouble on the water!