GIMS 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 Osvenskoye), and Rossonsky (3 deaths in November
2024 on the R. Nisch 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 deaths. 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 should also be noted that 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 boat owners deceased each), 2 people drowned in the
Braslavsky district, and one death each was recorded in
Beshenkovichsky, Vitebsky, 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 end up in icy water. A person dies when their body temperature drops below 26 degrees (this is approximately 30
minutes of exposure to cold water). Being a significant
distance from 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 user of a small vessel is as follows: it is 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 abilities when going out on the water in a small vessel, and is in a state of alcoholic intoxication.
Analyzing the causes and conditions that contributed to the emergency incident with a fatality, it can be stated that people on a small vessel wearing a fastened life jacket maximally increase their survivability when falling into the water, as all the deceased were without life jackets.
In order 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 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 for such vessels.
The owner must register a small vessel within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase of the small vessel or acquisition of it on any other legal basis. Rowing small vessels with a load capacity of up to 225 kg are not subject to registration (the use of an outboard engine on such vessels is not allowed).
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
small vessel is marked with a registration number.
Frequency of technical inspection of
registered small vessels:
- 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 or more years old, including the year of manufacture - 1 year.
Operation of a small vessel without undergoing technical inspection within the
established time limits and procedure is
prohibited.
According to 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, bilge pump (scoop), oars,
life-saving equipment (life jackets for the number of people on board),
fire extinguisher for motor boats, flashlight, first-aid kit,
repair kit (for PVC boats).
Also, according to clause 9 of the Rules, it is provided that the skipper and
persons on board a small vessel during movement must
wear fastened life jackets.
Information on current legislative acts and contacts of
GIMS territorial departments is available at the electronic address:
Do not neglect wearing a life jacket, it greatly
increases your chances of survival! Be careful and take care of yourself,
help those in distress on the water!