Boat Test 101 Answers

Bow

ANSWER : Front of the boat

Stern

ANSWER : Back of the boat

Port

ANSWER : Left side of a vessel

Starboard

ANSWER : Right side of a vessel

Abeam

ANSWER : To one side of the boat

Aft

ANSWER : Towards the stern (back) of the ship

Beam

ANSWER : The widest part of the boat

Blige

ANSWER : The bottom inside of the hull

Cleats

ANSWER : piece of metal or wood which ropes are fastened on ships.

Deck

ANSWER : Surface above blige where people walk

Draft

ANSWER : Distance between bottom of the hull and waterline which determines the minimum water 

depth a vessel can safely navigate

Forward

ANSWER : Direction toward the bow of the vessel

Freeboard

ANSWER : Distance from water to lowest point of the deck where water could come on board

Gunwale

ANSWER : the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship

Hull

ANSWER : the hollow, lowermost portion of a ship, floating partially submerged and supporting the 

remainder of the ship

keel

ANSWER : Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the 

water, prevents wind from tipping the vessel over

Pleasure craft

ANSWER : A water-based vehicle that is used exclusively for pleasure and is not used to generate profit 

or public service

Power-driven vehicle

ANSWER : Any vessel propelled by machinery

Sidelights

ANSWER : Lights for navigation at night; green light is starboard, red is port side light

transom

ANSWER : Vertical surface at the back of the hull (stern)

Wake

ANSWER : V shaped turbulence expelled behind a vessel from forward motion

Waterline

ANSWER : A line on the hull that indicates the maximum height at which the water can safely be in 

relation to the boat. The water will be touching this line when the boat is at maximum gross load 

capacity

Drinking alcohol before or while operating a vessel:

ANSWER : Slows your judgement and reaction time

In Florida it is illegal to operate any vessel at a speed that:

ANSWER : Endangers the life and/or property of another person

Who must wear a life jacket while on a personal watercraft (PWC)?

ANSWER : All of the above

Which action may cause the loss of steering ability in a PWC?

ANSWER : Letting off the throttle control

It is illegal for anyone under ___ to rent a PWC in Florida

ANSWER : 18

According to Florida law, what must be aboard a vessel?

ANSWER : Whistle or horn

What must a livery instruct its renters on?

ANSWER : All of the above

The following are ways to be a courteous personal watercraft operator EXCEPT:

ANSWER : Circle around boats with people fishing from them

Florida law prohibits anyone under the age of ___ from operating a personal watercraft (PWC):

ANSWER : 14

Any person born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or 

more must have one of the following:

ANSWER : Proof of boating safety education

Since they are relatively small and fast, personal watercraft are:

ANSWER : difficult to see on the water

Children under ___ years of age must wear a life jacket while on a boat less than 26 feet in length while 

underway.

ANSWER : 6

How does alcohol use affect boat operators or passengers?

ANSWER : Physical reactions become slower

What is the primary cause of boating fatalities?

ANSWER : Falling overboard and drowning

The engine cutoff switch lanyard is important for the operator to wear because:

ANSWER : It is required by law for all personal watercraft operators

The Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the test and 

must be carried on board the vessel along with your:

ANSWER : Photo identification

The purpose of the safety lanyard on a vessel is to:

ANSWER : Shut off the engine if the operator falls overboard

Which of the following is an example of safe personal watercraft operation?

ANSWER : Keeping a safe distance away from other vessels

Which is a common first indicator of bad weather approaching?

ANSWER : A buildup of dark clouds

The following are examples of “reckless operation” EXCEPT?

ANSWER : Operating a PWC in the rain

Two vessels (A and B) are operating too close to each other and collide. The operator of vessel A should:

ANSWER : Help the injured person and report the incident

When you are in a speed zone posted as “slow speed, minimum wake,” your vessel should:

ANSWER : Be completely settled in the water

When crossing paths, what is the give-way vessel’s responsibility?

ANSWER : Slow down or change course

What do the red and green markers indicate?

ANSWER : The edge of a safe channel

When you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe (divers down flag), you must:

ANSWER : *Slow to idle speed if you must come within 100 feet of the flag in a channel *Go no faster 

than idle speed when operating within 300 feet of the flag in open water