The State Inspectorate for Small Vessels informs

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

An analysis of deaths on small vessels in 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 over the past 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. Furthermore, deaths on small vessels have been recorded in Rossonsky and Gorodoksky districts (3 vessel owners deceased each), 2 people drowned in Braslavsky district, and one death each was recorded in Beshenkovichsky, Vitebsky, Lepelsky, Miorsky, Orshansky, Senno, 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%;
moving around 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 end up in icy water. A person dies when their body temperature drops below 26 degrees Celsius (this is approximately 30 minutes in cold water). When 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 older man who neglects safety requirements when operating a small vessel (no life jacket), relies on his own abilities 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 fatal accident, it can be stated that wearing a life jacket fastened when on a small vessel significantly increases the chances of survival when falling into the water, as all the deceased were without life jackets.

For the purpose of preventing fatalities involving small vessels, employees of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels (GIMS) of the Vitebsk region annually bring more than 800 individuals 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 driver's license for vessels with an engine power exceeding 5 hp;
operation without vessel registration;
operation without having undergone technical inspection;
operation without proper vessel equipment;
exceeding the passenger capacity of the vessel;
exceeding the permissible power of the outboard engine.

The safe operation of small vessels also depends on compliance with the technical requirements for such vessels.

A vessel owner must register a small vessel within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase or acquisition by any other legal means. Rowing small vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 225 kg are not subject to registration (the use of an outboard engine 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 affixed to the small vessel.

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

for rowing small vessels, less than 10 years old, including the year of manufacture - 5 years;
for small vessels with an engine, less than 10 years old, including the year of manufacture - 3 years;
for other small vessels and personal watercraft, less than 10 years old, including the year of manufacture - 2 years;
for small vessels, 10 years or older, including the year of manufacture - 1 year.

Operating a small vessel without undergoing technical inspection within the established timeframes and procedures is prohibited.

In accordance with the Rules for the use of small vessels and bases (structures) for their mooring (clause 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, bailing device (scoop), oars, life-saving 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.

Information on current legislative acts and 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 yourselves, and help those in distress on the water!