A boat’s capacity plate gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely in certain weather conditions. What are these conditions?

rainy weather

weather with winds up to 76 knots

weather with winds up to 154 knots

good weather

Answer :  good weather

You file a float plan for a weekend trip. Which of these should be included in the plan?

your boat’s horsepower rating

onboard location of food and cooking utensils

names and addresses of your passengers

chart showing planing speed vs. fuel use

Answer :  names and addresses of your passengers

What should you do with your float plan for a weekend water outing?

Mail it to your home address.

Stow it with the boat’s registration papers.

Fax it to the nearest U.S. Coast Guard station.

Leave it with a friend or relative.

Answer :  Leave it with a friend or relative.

Where should portable gasoline fuel tanks be filled?

in the boat’s cabin

in the boat’s cockpit

on the dock

on the gunwale

Answer :  on the dock

Which fueling practice is safe?

fueling your boat at night when it is cooler

filling portable fuel tanks on the fuel dock

turning on the boat’s ventilation system while fueling

opening all windows, ports, doors, and other openings before fueling

Answer :  filling portable fuel tanks on the fuel dock

What factor determines a boat’s required equipment?

storage capacity

rate of speed

fuel tank weight

length of boat

Answer :  length of boat

What is the problem with using your boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer?

You may break the winch cable.

You may damage the engine.

The boat’s forward motion can disconnect the trailer lights.

The propeller’s wash can create a large hole just beyond the ramp.

Answer :  The propeller’s wash can create a large hole just beyond the ramp.

How full should you fill the fuel tank on a PWC?

Leave a little empty space in the tank.

Fill the tank all the way up.

Tip the PWC to top off the fuel tank.

Overfill slightly to avoid any air pocket.

Answer :  Leave a little empty space in the tank.

When moored to a dock, what should you do before casting off while you warm up the engine?

Make sure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket.

Use an oar or boat hook to keep the boat moving in the water.

Shift into forward gear.

Raise the engine out of the water.

Answer :  Make sure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket.

Which side of a boat has a green light at night?

gunwale

starboard (right)

stern

keel

Answer :  starboard (right)

Which vessel should display yellow lights when towing?

PWC

sailboat

ski boat

commercial vessel

Answer :  commercial vessel

You are operating a powerboat at night. Your green sidelight must be visible to boats approaching from which direction(s)?

head-on only

port (left) only

head-on and starboard (right)

head-on and behind

Answer :  head-on and starboard (right)

You are operating a powerboat at night. You see red and white lights on another boat. What do these lights tell you?

A power-driven vessel is approaching head-on, but you have the right of way.

A sailing vessel is crossing your path, and you must swerve to avoid it.

You must give way to the other vessel.

You are the stand-on vessel.

Answer :  You must give way to the other vessel.

What is the best source for a complete listing of navigation rules that apply to recreational boaters?

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish and Game Commission

U.S. Wildlife Federation

Answer :  U.S. Coast Guard

Two powerboats are about to cross paths. What should the boat on the starboard (right) do?

Speed up to cross in front of the other boat.

Speed up and turn toward the other boat.

Maintain course and speed, but stay alert.

Shoot a flare and sound a danger signal on a horn or whistle.

Answer :  Maintain course and speed, but stay alert.

A sailboat and a PWC are meeting head-on. Which one is the stand-on vessel?

sailboat

PWC

neither

both

Answer :  sailboat

One boat is overtaking another. Which boat must give way?

the faster boat

the larger boat

the boat that is overtaking

the boat being overtaken

Answer :  the boat that is overtaking

You are out on the water in foggy conditions. You hear one prolonged blast every two minutes. What does this sound signal mean?

I am a power-driven vessel at anchor.

I am a power-driven vessel underway.

I am an inflatable raft at anchor.

I am an inflatable raft adrift in the water.

Answer :  I am a power-driven vessel underway.

Which of these anchors is a good choice for most recreational boats?

fluke-style

clamp-style

galvanized chain

concrete block

Answer :  fluke-style

What is the best way to avoid being run over by your own PWC or motorboat?

wear a USCG-approved life jacket

use the PWC’s self-circling feature

swim away from the boat or PWC if you fall overboard

wear an ignition safety switch lanyard

Answer :  wear an ignition safety switch lanyard

Which class of boats has priority when using river locks?

paddleboats

personal watercraft

commercial boats

private fishing boats

Answer :  commercial boats

You are traveling upstream on a river. You see a green square daymark. What should you do?

Slow down to no-wake speed.

Keep the marker on your port (left) side.

Wave a skier-down flag.

Go around the marker on either side.

Answer :  Keep the marker on your port (left) side.

You see a white marker with red vertical stripes. What type of marker is this?

polluted water marker

safe water marker

low bridge marker

information marker

Answer :  safe water marker

Which symbol on a regulatory marker indicates hazards such as rocks or stumps?

green square

yellow crossed diamond

aqua circle

orange diamond

Answer :  orange diamond

You see a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering. What does this marker tell you?

mooring area

keep out

PWCs only

good fishing area

Answer :  keep out

What is needed for steering control on a PWC?

an outboard motor

an adjustable propeller

a passenger in front of the operator

power to the jet drive

Answer :  power to the jet drive

Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?

drive shaft

ignition safety switch

pump intake area

rudder control

Answer :  pump intake area

If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the FIRST thing you must do?

go for a law enforcement officer or other help

stop and make a thorough assessment of all property damage

stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident

set off flares or other visual distress signals

Answer :  stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident

Which vessel requires that the operator be at least 14 years of age to operate on Washington waters?

sailboat

personal watercraft (PWC)

boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or less

canoe

Answer :  personal watercraft (PWC)

Under Washington law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration, present in a vessel operator, is considered to be boat operation under the influence (BUI)?

0.10%

0.08%

0.06%

0.04%

Answer :  0.0008

When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?

at all times

when moored at a dock or pier

when away from the dock during the day

during periods of restricted visibility

Answer :  during periods of restricted visibility

By law, what age children must wear a USCG-approved life jacket when underway on the open deck of a vessel less than 19 feet in length?

12 years old and younger

12 years old and older

7 years old and younger

7 years old and older

Answer :  12 years old and younger

What must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers whenever a vessel is operated?

float plan

Bill of Sale

trailer license

registration information

Answer :  registration information

According to Washington law, during what hours is it legal to operate a personal watercraft?

6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

sunrise to sunset

after dark

6 a.m. to noon

Answer :  sunrise to sunset

When a vessel is towing a skier, what are the legal requirements for observing that skier?

A capable observer must be on board and report the skier’s progress to the operator.

A capable observer must watch from shore or a nearby vessel.

A capable observer must be on board only if the skier is not wearing a life jacket.

A capable observer must be on board only if the operator and/or skier are under the age of 18.

Answer :  A capable observer must be on board and report the skier’s progress to the operator.

A boat operator is involved in an accident in which a person is injured and requires hospitalization. How quickly must the operator file a boating accident report?

within 48 minutes

within 48 hours

within 48 days

before the vessel registration expires

Answer :  within 48 hours

In Washington, how old must a person be to legally operate a personal watercraft?

at least 4 years of age

at least 9 years of age

at least 14 years of age

at least 19 years of age

Answer :  at least 14 years of age

If convicted for boat operation under the influence (BUI), how long can you be imprisoned?

364 days

180 days

90 days

30 days

Answer :  364 days

In addition to an all-round white light, what light(s) must power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long exhibit when underway between sunset and sunrise?

blue or red flashing light

red and green sidelights

orange sternlight

one lantern or flashlight shining a white light

Answer :  red and green sidelights

In addition to the required wearable PFD(s), what other equipment must you have on board if your vessel is 16 feet or longer?

Red Cross-approved first-aid kit

Type IV USCG-approved throwable PFD

kitchen facilities

flashing blue light

Answer :  Type IV USCG-approved throwable PFD

Which action would be legal for personal watercraft?

chase birds that are on or near the water

jump the wake of another vessel unreasonably close to that vessel

attach the lanyard of an ignition switch to the operator’s PFD

allow a person 9 years of age to operate the PWC

Answer :  attach the lanyard of an ignition switch to the operator’s PFD

What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Navy boat?

100 yards

500 yards

2,000 yards

5,000 yards

Answer :  100 yards

A passenger on your boat has irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. These are early symptoms of what injury?

hyperventilation

shock

carbon monoxide poisoning

head, neck, or spinal injury

Answer :  carbon monoxide poisoning

What is the first stage of cold water immersion?

swim failure

cold shock

hyperventilation

collapse

Answer :  cold shock

What should you do after your boat runs aground and you determine that there are no leaks?

Put the engine in reverse, and gun it.

Shift the weight to the back of the boat, and rock it.

Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook.

Make a MAYDAY call with a megaphone.

Answer :  Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook.

Someone falls into the water from a dock. What is the proper sequence of actions to help this person?

reach, row, throw, go

reach, throw, row, go

throw, row, reach, rest

throw, reach, rest, row

Answer :  reach, throw, row, go

What type of fire can be put out safely with water?

oil

engine

gasoline

paper

Answer :  paper

For most people, how many alcoholic drinks does it take before judgment and physical reaction time are impaired?

one

five

ten

fifteen

Answer :  one

What is the cause of most boating accidents?

equipment failure

other boats

human error

bad weather

Answer :  human error

What is the best way to check the buoyancy of your PFD?

Wear it in an emergency and hope for the best.

Check whether the PFD floats throughout a washing machine cycle.

Squeeze the PFD against your body.

Wear the PFD in shallow water or a swimming pool.

Answer :  Wear the PFD in shallow water or a swimming pool.

Which statement about life jackets is true?

Life jackets do not float well in shallow water.

Life jackets are difficult to put on in the water.

Life jackets are easy to put on in the water.

Children’s life jackets should fit loosely.

Answer :  Life jackets are difficult to put on in the water.

You are caught in severe weather while boating. What should you do?

Throw all unnecessary gear overboard.

Head for the closest low-head dam or rapids.

Turn your navigation lights off to save the battery.

Slow down but maintain headway and steering.

Answer :  Slow down but maintain headway and steering.

While boating, you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does this flag mean?

diver underwater in the immediate area

area designated for one boat at a time

outer limits of a pump-out station zone

center of an environmental survey area

Answer :  diver underwater in the immediate area

What safety precaution should you take when hunting from a boat?

Always remain seated while shooting.

Have your dog stand on the bow for faster retrieval.

Lower the anchor slowly from the side of the boat.

Wear two layers of warm clothing over your PFD.

Answer :  Always remain seated while shooting.

Which action shows responsibility toward the aquatic environment?

tossing used fishing line in the water

tossing plastic six-pack holders in the water

operating a powerboat in shallow water

using phosphate-free products to clean a boat

Answer :  using phosphate-free products to clean a boat

What is the likelihood of drowning for paddlers in small boats (such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts)? (Compare paddlers to other boaters.)

Paddlers never drown.

Paddlers are less than half as likely to drown.

Paddlers are more than twice as likely to drown.

Paddlers are 22 times more likely to drown.

Answer :  Paddlers are more than twice as likely to drown.

Two people are on a boat towing a skier. One person is the operator. What is the role of the second person?

Answer :  watch the skier