boaters ed

You are boating in rough waters. If you have an emergency, rescue may take awhile. Which type of PFD is recommended?

offshore life jacket

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

one

You are boating in warm weather. How much water should you drink to minimize the risk of dehydration?

some every 15-20 minutes

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

starboard (right)

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

stop and give whatever assistance is necessary

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

the boat that is overtaking

Two boats are operating in the same general area. Who is responsible for avoiding a collision?

the operators of both boats

Who is responsible for avoiding a collision between two boats?

the operators of both boats

You are towing a skier with a PWC and have an observer on board. How many people must the the PWC must be rated to carry?

three

By law, what age children must wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long?

under 8 years of age

How many days of jail time are included in the penalty for a first conviction for boating while intoxicated?

up to 180

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

100 yards

What is the important safety information found on a boat's capacity plate?

maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely

A motorboat approaches you head-on and sounds one short blast. How do you signal that you agree to let it pass on your port (left) side?

one short blast

You are operating your powerboat near a shoreline. What should you do to help prevent erosion?

run at no wake speed

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

wear an ignition safety switch lanyard

A vessel operator involved in an accident must report the accident by the quickest means possible if property damage exceeds what amount?

$2,000

In Texas, what blood alcohol concentration constitutes proof that an operator is operating a vessel while intoxicated (BWI)?

0.08% or greater

Most boating deaths are drownings. How many drowning victims were wearing a proper PFD at the time of the accident?

82%

What should you do if your small craft capsizes in swift water?

Float on your back, with your feet pointed downstream.

What is likely to happen if you do not ventilate your boat after fueling?

Gas fumes will stay in the bottom of the boat.

If you fall into cold water, what is the first thing you should do until the cold shock response lessens?

Get control of your breathing, and stay as still as possible until your breathing settles down.

What should the operator of powerboat A do if powerboat B begins to cross on the starboard (right) side?

Give way by slowing down and changing course

A paddler is approaching unfamiliar rapids. What should this paddler do?

Go ashore well upstream to check out the rapids.

Your boat capsizes but remains afloat. What should you do?

Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.

You fall when skiing behind a boat. What should you do to help the boat operator spot you more quickly?

Hold a ski up out of the water.

If two boats are traveling on paths that will cross, what determines which boat is the give-way vessel?

How the two boats are propelled

What is the best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while boating?

Keep fresh air flowing through the boat.

You return from the open sea. You see a red nun buoy. What should you do?

Keep the buoy on your starboard (right) side.

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

Leave a little empty space in the tank.

You are operating a motorboat. You hear one prolonged blast from the horn of another vessel. What should you do?

Look out for the other vessel.

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

Mail it to your home address.

What should a sailboat operator do when approaching a PWC head-on?

Maintain present course and speed.

Your boat runs aground at high speed. What should you do FIRST?

Make sure no one is injured.

Which of the following is a legal requirement for PFDs?

PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition.

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

Paddlers are more than twice as likely to drown.

Boaters have a responsibility to the environment. What is one of the three Rs?

Recycle old fire extinguishers and marine batteries.

You are caught in a storm in your boat. What should you do?

Reduce speed and head into the waves at a 45-degree angle.

What should you do if a PFD has a tear in the outer fabric?

Replace the PFD.

Your boat gets swamped far from shore. What should you do?

Stay with the boat, and signal for help.

What should you do before letting someone else operate your boat?

Test the person's swimming skills.

What is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern?

The boat may swamp.

How does the effect of alcohol while boating compare to its effect while on land?

The effect is increased while on land.

What is the risk when a PWC passes too closely behind another boat?

The other boat may create a blind spot for the PWC operator.

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

Watch the skier.

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

Wear the PFD in shallow water or a swimming pool.

When boating at night, what does a single white light on a boat tell you?

You are overtaking another boat or it is anchored.

What is needed for steering control on a PWC?

an adjustable propeller

With boater education certification, how old must you be to operate a PWC unsupervised?

at least 13 years of age

By law, how far must a vessel stay from a displayed diver-down flag when operating at greater than headway speed?

at least 150 feet

When operating at GREATER THAN "headway speed," how far must a PWC stay from another boat or PWC?

at least 50 feet

Which operation on a PWC requires more than idle speed?

avoiding erosion

An inboard engine backfires. What will prevent the ignition of gasoline fumes?

backfire flame arrestor

Who is responsible for explaining proper waste disposal procedures to passengers on a boat?

boat operator

Who is responsible for performing the pre-departure check of a recreational boat?

boat operator

Who is responsible for reviewing a pre-departure checklist before a boat outing?

boat operator

Which navigation instrument is useful for steering when land is out of sight?

compass

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

danger or hazard

Which of the following is legal?

disposing of oil waste at an approved facility

When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?

during periods of restricted visibility

Before you begin fueling your boat, what should be within reach?

fire extinguisher

A powerboat is operating at night. From which direction(s) must the white masthead light be visible?

from straight ahead and both sides

What is the best way to reboard a PWC in the water?

from the rear of the PWC over the stern

You are boating near shore at twilight. You see a square-shaped daymark. You cannot make out the marker's color. What color is it?

green

Where is the best place to put PFDs while you are out on your boat?

in an open bin near the passenger seats

All vessels must have one life jacket for each person on board. Which vessels also must have one Type IV (throwable) PFD on board?

vessels 16 feet or longer

What colors appear on a mooring buoy?

white with a blue band

One type of marker is used to warn boaters not to pass between the marker and the shore. What color is this marker?

white with black vertical stripes

How should you pass a fishing boat?

with minimum wake and well away from fishing lines

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

wood

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

Always remain seated while shooting.

You are docking your boat. The current is pushing you toward the dock. What is the best way to dock?

Approach parallel to the dock. Let the current push you in.

You are towing a skier behind your boat. Which of these is a safety precaution you should take?

Avoid crowded areas near beaches, docks, and swimming areas.

Falling overboard is a major risk on small boats. How can you reduce this risk?

Balance the weight of people and gear.

What should a PWC operator do to minimize the risk of accident or injury?

Be aware of all traffic in the boating area.

What should you do when approaching a low-head dam in a canoe or kayak?

Carry your craft around the dam.

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

Certificate of Number (registration card)

You see a white marker with black vertical stripes. What should you do?

Do not pass between the marker and the shore.

What is the best way to minimize the risk of dehydration while boating in warm weather?

Drink plenty of fresh water.

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

keep out

Under Texas boating laws, what is required of children under 13 years of age while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long?

must wear a USCG-approved PFD

What does a falling barometer indicate?

no winds expected

Responsible boaters use cleaning products that won't harm lakes or rivers. Which product is a responsible choice for cleaning your boat?

non-phosphate detergent

Which symbol on a regulatory marker is used to mark a swimming area?

orange crossed diamond

Which symbol on a regulatory marker is used to warn of a rock or other underwater hazard?

orange diamond

A passenger on a small boat falls overboard. How should this person be pulled back onto the boat?

over the stern with the engine turned off

What should you look out for when launching a sailboat with a raised mast?

overhead wires

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

paper

You are boating near shore at twilight. You see a triangle-shaped daymark. You cannot make out the marker's color. What color is it?

red

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?

red and green sidelights

What does a diver-down flag look like?

red flag with white diagonal stripe

What is the main reason for assuming the HELP position when you are stranded in the water?

reduces heat loss

Which of the following must be affixed to both sides of the bow of a vessel?

registration number

What should divers do for their own safety?

remain close to the diver-down flag

Which of these hulls is a displacement hull?

round-bottom

What condition is often confused with the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning?

seasickness

Which action is safe for a PWC?

seating two people behind the operator on a PWC rated for three