BoatUS Foundation's - Online Boating Safety Course

The tongue weight of a trailer should be what percent of the total weight of the boat, motor, trailer and gear?

5 to 15%

Which of the following items are required on a 12 foot inflatable dinghy?

A PFD for each person aboard.

Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor?

A boat with a gasoline inboard engine

What does a red and green light indicate when seen together at night?

A sailboat is heading straight at you.

Which of the following must follow Navigation Rules for a powerboat?

A sailboat with its engine engaged

What is a characteristic of a catamaran hull?

A stable ride

When returning from sea, a green navigational buoy should be passed in what manner?

Always kept on the port side

When passing through a lock, which light means "approach the lock under full control?"

Amber

According to the Navigation Rules, which of the following is true?

An overtaking boat always gives way to the boat being overtaken

When approaching a mooring buoy, which of the following should you do?

Approach slowly, so as not to run over the mooring line or buoy

Which of the following is required to be carried aboard a 25 foot powerboat when operating at night?

Approved visual distress signals

When performing a self rescue, when should you swim to shore?

As the last resort

When is a lookout on a vessel required?

At all times

Where onboard a boat is the transom located?

At the stern

Where onboard a boat are the gunwales located?

At the top of the sides

What special care must you take with your hull identification number (HIN)?

Be careful not to remove or destroy this number

When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the stern?

Behind you

Gasoline and propane fumes are most likely to accumulate in what part of the boat?

Bilge

What type of report must be filed if there is an accident while boating?

Boating Accident Report

Where must registration numbers be displayed?

Bow

What type of Boating Emergency causes the most fatalities?

Capsizing

Boat trailers with too little tongue weight tend to do what?

Cause the trailer to fishtail

Which "class" of fires consists of flammable liquids including stove alcohol, gasoline and diesel?

Class B

Which class of fire extinguisher should be onboard a vessel with a permanently installed fuel tank?

Class B

Which of the following is considered a safe refueling practice?

Closing all hatches and doors while refueling

Hand-held flares are type approved for what conditions or time?

Day or night

What type of planing hull handles rough water the best?

Deep V Hull

Which of the following is recommended maintenance for an inboard boat?

Deteriorated engine and hull zincs should be replaced if corroded

Which of the following is a good technique when using a fire extinguisher?

Direct the extinguisher at the base of the flames using a sweeping motion

What should you do with a torn life jacket?

Discard and replace it - do not attempt to fix it

Which of the following must you do when anchoring at night?

Display an all-around white light

How often should the inflator on a Type V life jacket be checked?

Every time it is worn

Which is the major cause of fatalities involving small boats?

Falling overboard and drowning

When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be carried to help avoid a collision?

Flashlight

When someone falls overboard, what action should the skipper take?

Get flotation to the person and assign a spotter

What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hypothermia?

Get immediate medical attention

What should you do when operating a boat in large waves and high wind?

Head into the waves at a slight angle and reduce speed

Which is a recommended water-skiing safety practice?

Holding up a ski after falling

What is another name for the boat's serial number?

Hull identification number

When can a Navigation Rule be overlooked?

If necessary to avoid immediate danger

When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the bow?

In front of you

When re-boarding a PWC after a fall, how should it be rolled?

In the direction shown in the manual

How does drinking alcohol while boating effect other conditions related to being out on the water?

Increases feelings of fatigue

Which of the following is a feature of a Type IV flotation device?

It is designed to be thrown

Where may untreated human waste be dumped overboard while on inland waters?

It may never be dumped in inland waters

Which is a characteristic of a Type III life jacket?

It will not turn most unconscious wearers face-up

When hunting from a boat, what is the best way to maintain the boat's stability?

Keep body weight low with gear distributed evenly

What must be done with the vessel's registration paper?

Keep it aboard the boat when in operation

When returning to port from seaward and you see a red buoy, how should you respond?

Keep the buoy on your starboard side

Which one of the following poses a great danger?

Leaking fuel lines

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

Letting off the throttle control

Which of the following items is/are required on a 12 foot inflatable dinghy?

Life jackets

When are lights required to be installed on a trailer?

Lights are required on every trailer

What is the best way to avoid running aground?

Looking at a nautical chart

Which safety precaution should be taken first by a boat operator when boating in stormy weather?

Make sure all aboard are wearing USCG-approved life jackets

When arriving at a navigation lock, what is the order of priority?

Military craft, commercial vessels, fishing vessels then pleasure craft

What type of garbage can you throw overboard on inland waters?

Nothing can be thrown overboard

How many fire extinguishers are required aboard an 18-foot powerboat with installed fuel tank(s)?

One

In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel under way gives which sound signal every 2 minutes?

One prolonged blast

Where should a person in the Heat Escape Lessening Position (H.E.L.P.) place their hands?

Over their chest

How does alcohol use affect boat operators or passengers?

Physical reactions become slower

Which of the following should you do when anchoring?

Pick a reference point on shore to gauge if you are dragging

Personal water craft are considered what type of vessel?

Powered

Which of the following is true of a carburetor backfire flame arrestor?

Prevents explosions on inboard gasoline engines.

What is the first thing you should do after retrieving a boat onto a trailer?

Pull the trailer well away from the boat ramp

What does a marine pump out station do?

Pumps out waste from holding tanks

What should you do if caught in severe storm conditions?

Put on your life jacket if it's not on already

What should you do when fueling an outboard boat with a portable tank?

Put the tank on the dock or shore to fill it

What is the best course of action if you see a thunderstorm approaching?

Put your life jacket on, secure crew and gear, and keep a sharp lookout

Which of the following is a symptom of cold shock?

Rapid, uncontrolled breathing

The U.S. Coast Guard considers personal watercraft what kind of boat?

Recreational powerboat

Under the Department of Homeland Security, what action should boat operators take to ensure the safety of everyone on the nation's waterways?

Report suspicious activities to the proper authorities

What does a capacity plate indicate?

Safe load limit

Prior to departure, everyone onboard should be made aware of what type of equipment?

Safety gear

Carbon monoxide poisoning is sometimes mistakenly identified as what?

Seasickness

What should you do if your boat capsizes?

Stay with the boat

What is the primary responsibility for a vessel operator assisting a boat in distress?

Stay with the boat and signal for help

An engine cut-off lanyard helps to reduce the risk of what?

Striking a person in the water with a propeller

The helm is what onboard a boat?

The mechanism controlling speed and direction

Which of the following must be taken into consideration when determining a safe speed?

The volume of boat traffic

Why should boaters slow down while passing recreational fishing boats?

The wake may cause injury or damage

Which of the following is true about "can" buoys?

They are cylindrical in shape

What do two short horn blasts from another vessel mean in a meeting situation?

They intend to pass starboard side to starboard side.

Which of the following is a requirement for life jackets?

They must be properly sized for the intended wearer

Which is characteristic of low head dams?

They pose hazards both above and below dams

What is the purpose of filing a float plan?

To provide important information in case of an emergency

Which of the following is recommended when docking your boat?

Use lines and cleats to help maneuver your boat

Why is the Height of a VHF radio antenna important?

VHF radios work by the line of sight principle.

What can you do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species?

Wash boat and trailer at the ramp after retrieving it

A boater would use a tide table for what type of information?

Water depth

What information is most important when passing near a lighthouse?

Water depth

Under the Navigation Rules, in which situation is it OK to break the rules?

When absolutely necessary to avoid a collision

What is the requirement for Coast Guard assistance when a vessel is aground?

When the grounded vessel or crew are in immediate danger

Where should fire extinguishers be stored on a boat?

Where they are readily available