For shipowners' attention
The Vitebsk region has over 2,800 lakes with a total length of over 92,000 km.
For violating the requirements of legislation aimed at the safe operation of water transport facilities on the water bodies of the Vitebsk region, 226 shipowners have been brought to administrative responsibility over 7 months of the current year.
For the committed offenses, penalties in the form of fines totaling 2,553 rubles were imposed on shipowners, which have been fully recovered.
On August 19, 2017, a case of death related to the operation of a small vessel was registered in the Vitebsk region. The cause of death was a violation of the Rules for the use of small vessels and falling into the water while intoxicated.
For example, citizen S. came with his wife to visit an acquaintance to fish on Lake Voronets in the Polotsk district. First, they celebrated their meeting by drinking alcoholic beverages. After that, the guest went out alone to fish on the owner's boat, taking a life jacket with him. When he returned a few hours later from fishing, the friendly hosts arranged another feast with alcohol. After properly celebrating the meeting with his friend, S. again set off for fishing; neither his wife nor the hosts prevented him, but went to sleep. When the hospitable host woke up at night and discovered that the guest had not returned from fishing, he immediately became alarmed. After some time, the body of citizen S. was found by OSVOD rescuers 40 meters from the shore at a depth of 6 meters.
According to the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus, with the acquisition of a small vessel: a boat, a motorboat, a personal watercraft, the owner acquires additional responsibilities, and the responsibility increases not only to the state but also to other citizens. After all, the use of a small vessel is associated with risks and requires knowledge and practical skills.
Therefore, it is necessary to register and classify a small vessel and obtain a vessel certificate from the state institution "State Inspectorate for Small Vessels of the Vitebsk Region", to present the small vessel for technical inspection before the start and during its operation, to undergo training and knowledge testing by citizens of the rules for operating motor small vessels with an engine power exceeding 3.7 kilowatts (5 horsepower) and to obtain a corresponding certificate.
State registration and classification of small vessels, with the exception of rowing boats, kayaks and inflatable boats with a carrying capacity of 225 kg, are carried out at the Vitebsk, Polotsk, Braslav, Lepel and Orsha sections of the GIMS of the Vitebsk region at the place of residence (stay) of an individual, including an individual entrepreneur, at the location of a legal entity.
Training and knowledge testing by citizens of the rules for operating motor small vessels with an engine power exceeding 3.7 kilowatts (5 horsepower) are carried out for the purpose of acquiring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and abilities for qualified operation of motor small vessels on water bodies.
Citizens who have reached the age of 18, who do not have medical contraindications that prevent them from operating motor small vessels, as determined by the Ministry of Health, are allowed to train in operating motor small vessels.
A certificate for the right to operate a motor small vessel with an engine power exceeding 3.7 kilowatts (5 horsepower), issued by the state institution "State Inspectorate for Small Vessels", is valid for 10 years. Certificates with expired validity periods are subject to exchange.
Each small vessel must be operated in proper technical condition with the necessary set of equipment and in compliance with the conditions specified in its classification certificate. The skipper and persons on board a small vessel while in motion must wear fastened life jackets.
Vitebsk Transport Prosecutor A.A. Tsarikov