Boaters Safety - Practice Exam cards
A sailboat under sail is about to cross paths with a PWC. What action should be taken? No action is required. The sailboat should change course and speed. The PWC should change course and speed. The PWC should speed up.
The PWC should change course and speed.
How does the effect of alcohol while boating compare to its effect while on land? The effect is increased while boating. The effect is increased while on land. The effect is slightly greater while on land. Alcohol does not affect you while boating or on land.
The effect is increased while boating.
What is the best way to minimize the risk of dehydration while boating in warm weather? Drink plenty of fresh water. Take off an outer layer of clothing. Put on an extra layer of clothing. Wear plenty of sunblock.
Drink plenty of fresh water.
You are caught in a storm in your boat. Your engine stops. What should you do? Swim for shore. Tread water until hypothermia occurs. Drop a sea anchor off the bow. Use all of the life jackets to build a raft.
Drop a sea anchor off the bow.
What should you do before letting someone else operate your PWC? Explain how to seat a passenger in front of the operator. Explain how to increase the noise level. Explain how to spray a wake at other PWCs. Explain how to steer and control the PWC.
Explain how to steer and control the PWC.
How do most anchors hold a recreational boat in place? by being heavy enough not to drag in a normal wind by the weight of the anchor and chain by digging into the bottom when pulled horizontally by clamping onto a rock or other object
by digging into the bottom when pulled horizontally
What kind of hulls do most sailboats and large cruisers have? flat-bottom catamaran displacement cathedral
displacement
What causes a PFD to wear out over time? washing it with soap and water storing it upside down exposure to cold air and rain exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun
exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun
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
keep out
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
When boating, you see a blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag). How far away must you stay from the displayed flag? at least 25 feet at least 85 feet at least 140 feet at least 200 feet
at least 200 feet
If two boats are traveling on paths that will cross, what determines which boat is the give-way vessel? The size of the boats How the two boats are propelled The speed of the boats The time of day
How the two boats are propelled
What do two short blasts of a horn mean? I disagree with your plans. I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side. I am stopping at the next dock. My flashlight needs batteries.
I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.
What is a leading cause of death for paddlers in small crafts such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts? capsizing improper clothing boat leaks starvation
capsizing
What colorless, odorless, poisonous gas is a by-product of gasoline engines? carbon disulfide carbon monoxide hydrogen oxide hydrogen sulfide
carbon monoxide
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
at least 14 years of age
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
carbon monoxide poisoning
What is the first stage of cold water immersion? swim failure cold shock hyperventilation collapse
cold shock
Which class of boats has priority when using river locks? paddleboats personal watercraft commercial boats private fishing boats
commercial boats
Which vessel should display yellow lights when towing? PWC sailboat ski boat commercial vessel
commercial vessel
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
diver underwater in the immediate area
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
during periods of restricted visibility
When should you replace the CO2 cylinder in an inflatable PFD? each time the PFD is inflated the third time a PFD is inflated monthly annually
each time the PFD is inflated
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
filling portable fuel tanks on the fuel dock
Which of these anchors is a good choice for most recreational boats? fluke-style clamp-style galvanized chain concrete block
fluke-style
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
good weather
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
head-on and starboard (right)
What is the cause of most boating accidents? equipment failure other boats human error bad weather
human error
Which is the safest area for towing a skier? near the shoreline where others can watch near other skiers or swimmers in the water in the middle of the lake away from other boaters in the heavy-traffic area of the waterway
in the middle of the lake away from other boaters
What is the primary danger during the first 3-5 minutes if you are suddenly immersed in cold water? being run over by another boat and drowning icing of your clothes and PFD, reducing your buoyancy involuntary gasping, leading to water inhalation and drowning losing consciousness due to shock and hyperventilation
involuntary gasping, leading to water inhalation and drowning
What factor determines a boat's required equipment? storage capacity rate of speed fuel tank weight length of boat
length of boat
Responsible boaters use cleaning products that won't harm lakes or rivers. Which product is a responsible choice for cleaning your boat? industrial-strength detergent toxic cleaner ethylene glycol non-phosphate detergent
non-phosphate detergent
Where must a vessel's registration number and registration decals be displayed? on both sides of the stern on only the starboard side of the vessel on only the port side of the vessel on both sides of the bow
on both sides of the bow
Where should portable gasoline fuel tanks be filled? in the boat's cabin in the boat's cockpit on the dock on the gunwale
on the dock
Where should your passengers be while you are tied to the dock fueling your boat? on the boat wearing a PFD on the boat securing the gear seated in the boat on the dock and away from the boat
on the dock and away from the boat
For most people, how many alcoholic drinks does it take before judgment and physical reaction time are impaired? one five ten fifteen
one
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
personal watercraft (PWC)
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
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
pump intake area
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
reach, throw, row, go
Which side of a boat has a green light at night? gunwale starboard (right) stern keel
starboard (right)
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
sunrise to sunset
One boat is overtaking another. Which boat should stand on? the boat being overtaken the boat creating the most wake the faster boat the larger boat
the boat being overtaken
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
the boat that is overtaking
Who is responsible for avoiding a collision between two boats? the operators of both boats the operator of the stand-on boat the operator of the smaller boat the operator of the larger boat
the operators of both boats
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
using phosphate-free products to clean a boat
What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher? Aim at the top of the flames. Do not move. Aim at the top of the flames. Sweep in circles. Aim at the base of the flames. Sweep side to side. Aim at the base of the flames. Sweep up and down.
Aim at the base of the flames. Sweep side to side.
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.
I am a power-driven vessel underway.
What is one possible meaning of a single prolonged blast of a horn? I am passing an information marker. I am coming around a blind bend. I am creating a large wake. I am filling my gas tank.
I am coming around a blind bend.
You are retrieving your boat from the water. What should you do to prevent a traffic jam on the boat ramp? Block the boat ramp with an unattended vehicle. Power load your boat onto its trailer instead of using the trailer's winch. Pull your boat away from the ramp to prepare it for the drive home. Attach the rear tie-downs and drain the bilge water before you leave the boat ramp.
Pull your boat away from the ramp to prepare it for the drive home.
What should you do immediately if a boat motor catches fire? Signal for help. Shut off the fuel supply. Abandon the boat. Grab a fire extinguisher.
Shut off the fuel supply.
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
Type IV USCG-approved throwable PFD
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
U.S. Coast Guard
Under federal and state law, boats must carry certain equipment. To determine the types of equipment your boat must carry, you need to make a measurement of the boat. What is this measurement? hull weight height above waterline length overall mast height
length overall
Suppose you have a 19-foot boat. What information will be shown on your boat's capacity plate? maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely maximum gallons of fuel the boat can carry minimum weight of people and/or gear needed for stability minimum load capacity of a trailer for this boat
maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
You file a float plan for a weekend trip. Which of these should be included in the plan?
names and addresses of all passengers
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
names and addresses of your passengers
What should you look out for when launching a sailboat with a raised mast? launch ramp erosion location of the sun overhead wires immersion depth of trailer
overhead wires
You file a float plan for a weekend trip. Which of these should be included in the plan? registration number, size, and make of your boat floor plan of your boat's cabin and number of berths inventory of onboard provisions location of built-in flotation
registration number, size, and make of your boat
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
stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident
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
wear an ignition safety switch lanyard
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%
0.08%
What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Navy boat? 100 yards 500 yards 2,000 yards 5,000 yards
100 yards
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
12 years old and younger
If convicted for boat operation under the influence (BUI), how long can you be imprisoned? 364 days 180 days 90 days 30 days
364 days
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.
A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the operator.
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.
Always remain seated while shooting.
What should a PWC operator do to minimize the risk of accident or injury? Be aware of all traffic in the boating area. Focus only on boats directly ahead. Focus only on the rearview mirror to check for traffic behind. Make turns quickly to get away from larger boats.
Be aware of all traffic in the boating area.
A motorboat and a PWC are approaching head-on. What action should be taken? Both vessels should turn to starboard (right). Both should maintain course until the last moment. The motorboat and the PWC should speed up until one of them has to turn the last moment. The PWC should slow down to a no-wake speed and give way to the motorboat.
Both vessels should turn to starboard (right).
What should you do when approaching a low-head dam in a canoe or kayak? Carry your craft around the dam. Turn around and paddle backward over the dam. Cross with your craft parallel to the dam face. Shoot over the dam as fast as possible.
Carry your craft around the dam.
What is the best way to cast off if the wind or current direction is away from the dock? Cast off all lines. Keep the boat clear of the dock. Shift into forward gear and slowly leave the area. Cast off all lines, shift into reverse and turn the bow sharply toward the dock, and then add power. Keep the stern line tied to the dock, shift into forward and turn the bow sharply away from the dock, and then add power. Keep the stern line tied to the dock, shift into reverse, and then add power.
Cast off all lines. Keep the boat clear of the dock. Shift into forward gear and slowly leave the area.
Your boat capsizes but remains afloat. What should you do? Swim up under the boat to stay out of the wind. Swim away from the boat and tread water. Hang onto the boat or climb onto it. Remove your life jacket and wave it to signal for help.
Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.
What should you do with a rag that has been used to wipe up spilled gasoline? Place it in the bilge. Hang it over the gunwale. Put it in the cockpit to air dry. Dispose of it on shore.
Dispose of it on shore.
You see a white marker with black vertical stripes. What should you do? Do not pass between the marker and the shore. Keep the marker on your port (left) side. Use the marker as a mooring buoy if you wish to tie up. Prepare for bad weather.
Do not pass between the marker and the shore.
What is likely to happen if you do not ventilate your boat after fueling? Gas fumes will slowly dissolve. Gas fumes will stay in the bottom of the boat. Gas fumes will give everyone carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas fumes will rise above the air and float away.
Gas fumes will stay in the bottom of the boat.
A paddler is approaching unfamiliar rapids. What should this paddler do? Swim beside the paddlecraft to go over the rapids. Aim for the middle of the rapids. Go over the rapids as quickly as possible. Go ashore well upstream to check out the rapids.
Go ashore well upstream to check out the rapids.
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.
Keep the marker on your port (left) side.
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.
Leave a little empty space in the tank.
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.
Leave it with a friend or relative.
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.
Life jackets are difficult to put on in the water.
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.
Maintain course and speed, but stay alert.
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.
Make sure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket.
What should you do before letting someone else operate your boat? Test the person's swimming skills. Make sure the person meets the minimum age and boater education requirements. Check that the person is wearing sunscreen. Ask the person to complete a float plan and file it with the Coast Guard.
Make sure the person meets the minimum age and boater education requirements.
Which statement about PWCs is true? PWCs are outboards. PWCs have a sail in case they run out of gas. PWCs are not required to observe any boating laws or regulations. PWCs are subject to all boating laws, plus a few laws specific to PWCs.
PWCs are subject to all boating laws, plus a few laws specific to PWCs.
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.
Paddlers are more than twice as likely to drown.
Which side of a boat has a red light at night? port (left) gunwale stern keel
Port (left)
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.
Slow down but maintain headway and steering.
What should you do before firing a shot from a small boat? Stand up. Move to the bow. Move your dog and gear behind you. Stop the boat and turn off the motor. Anchor or secure the boat.
Stop the boat and turn off the motor. Anchor or secure the boat.
When boating on a river, you may encounter strainers. What is the danger of a strainer? Strainers make the water dangerously cold. Strainers attract dangerous wildlife. Strainers can make you dizzy. Strainers can trap small boats.
Strainers can trap small boats.
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.
The propeller's wash can create a large hole just beyond the ramp.
What should you do to reduce the risk of capsizing or swamping your boat in rough water? Anchor from the stern. Keep most of the weight close to the motor. Turn at controlled speeds. Sit on the gunwale.
Turn at controlled speeds.
When boating on coastal waters, it is important to be aware of the tides. Why? High tide is a warning sign that your boat could capsize. Low tide is a warning sign of bad weather. Tides cause electrical storms and hurricanes. Tides cause water levels to rise and fall.
Tides cause water levels to rise and fall.
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.
Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook.
What should you do before and while fueling your boat? Turn OFF the engine. CLOSE all windows, doors, and openings. Turn ON the engine. CLOSE all windows, doors, and openings. Turn ON the ventilation system and the engine. CLOSE all windows, doors, and openings. Turn ON the ventilation system. Keep all windows, doors, and openings cracked.
Turn OFF the engine. CLOSE all windows, doors, and openings.
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.
Wear the PFD in shallow water or a swimming pool.
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.
You must give way to the other vessel.
You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine? The PWC will not stop until it runs out of gas. The PWC will lose all buoyancy and turn over. You will go in reverse. You will keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
You will keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
Under Washington law, what must be displayed when a water skier is preparing to ski or has fallen into the water? a bright red or brilliant orange flag a rectangular blue flag with a white diagonal stripe a warning light a VDS
a bright red or brilliant orange flag
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
attach the lanyard of an ignition switch to the operator's PFD
When boating in Washington, which of the following actions are considered LEGAL? allowing a passenger to stand up while the vessel is underway at full speed causing danger to people and other vessels with your vessel's wake letting a passenger ride on the gunwale of a boat WITHOUT adequate railings attaching the vessel to a mooring buoy
attaching the vessel to a mooring buoy
A skier is being towed behind a boat. Who has responsibility for avoiding other boats and hazards? skier boat operator boat owner no one
boat operator
According to Washington law, during what hours is it legal for a vessel to tow a person on water skis? midnight to 6 a.m. 6 a.m. to noon one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset four hours before sunrise to four hours after sunset
one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset
Which of the following actions is legal for PWCs? weave through congested waterway traffic operate between sunset and sunrise with a small flashlight on board operate while under the influence of alcohol operate while wearing a Type III USCG-approved life jacket
operate while wearing a Type III USCG-approved life jacket
Which symbol on a regulatory marker is used to mark a swimming area? green square yellow circle orange crossed diamond aqua diamond
orange crossed diamond
Which symbol on a regulatory marker indicates hazards such as rocks or stumps? green square yellow crossed diamond aqua circle orange diamond
orange diamond
Which symbol on a regulatory marker is used to warn of a rock or other underwater hazard? green square orange diamond aqua circle yellow crossed diamond
orange diamond
What type of fire can be put out safely with water? oil engine gasoline paper
paper
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
red and green sidelights
What does a diver-down flag look like? red flag with white diagonal stripe white flag with blue diagonal stripe black flag with white circle blue flag with white square
red flag with white diagonal stripe
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
registration information
What should divers do for their own safety? dive alone to avoid other boaters tie two boats together remain close to the diver-down flag avoid displaying the diver-down flag
remain close to the diver-down flag
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
safe water marker
A sailboat and a PWC are meeting head-on. Which one is the stand-on vessel? sailboat PWC neither both
sailboat
What light(s) are ALL vessels required to display when moored or anchored outside a designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise? white light visible in all directions orange sternlight two yellow lights blue or red flashing light
white light visible in all directions
What color is a marker that indicates safe water on all sides? black with white dots blue with yellow triangles white with red vertical stripes gray with black diagonal stripes
white with red vertical stripes
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
within 48 hours
