Certification Exam

What is good for cleaning your vessel and does not harm lakes or rivers?

non-phosphate products

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

offshore life jacket

You are caught in severe weather while boating. Where should you seat your passengers?

on the floor close to the centerline

Under federal law, which type of boat must have a capacity plate?

single-hull boats less than 20 feet in length.

When boating on coastal waters, it is important to be aware of the tides. What can tides cause?

strong currents

All fire extinguishers are labeled with a letter and a number. What does the number indicate?

the relative size of the extinguisher

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

three

Why should a vessel operator keep a proper lookout?

to avoid collisions

A passenger on your boat falls overboard. What should you do while this person is being pulled back into the boat?

to stop the engine

What color is a boat's sternlight?

white

Which of the following is a reason to file an accident report?

$100 or more

What is the suggested safe distance a vessel should stay from a diver-down flag?

100

A person is operating a vessel south of Interstate Highway 10. What distance should an operator maintain when jumping another vessel's wake or following a water-skier?

100 feet

At what age must a person be accompanied by someone who is at least 21 years old?

12 years and younger

What is the safest way to float if your small craft capsizes?

Float on your back on the upstream side of the craft.

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

Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.

To minimize the risk of an accident, what should you do if your group plans to consume alcohol?

Have a non-drinker operate the vessel.

What causes hypothermia?

Losing body heat faster than it can be produced

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

Make sure no one is injured.

You are operating during a period of restricted visibility. What should you do?

Operate with caution and slow to "no wake speed".

What safety practice is required for children 12 years old and younger whenever they are underway on a vessel less than 26 feet in length?

PFD

Which of the following is legal for PWC?

PFD

Which PFDs would be considered readily accessible?

PFDs located within easy reach of everyone on board

You are retrieving your boat from the water. What should you do to prevent a traffic jam on the boat ramp?

Pull your boat away from the ramp to prepare it for the drive home.

What is a good safety precaution when fueling your boat?

Sniff for fumes after fueling and before starting the engine.

What is every vessel operator required to do?

Take all necessary action to avoid a collision.

A motorboat is approaching a sailboat head-on. What should the motorboat do?

Take early action to keep well away from the sailboat.

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.

What should you require from others who operate your vessel?

They operate the vessel responsibly

What is the first action required of a boat operator who is involved in a boating accident?

To provide assistance

If on federally controlled waters in Mississippi, which vessels are required to carry on board some way of making an efficient sound signal?

all

Which of these actions is a homeland security violation?

approaching within 100 yards of a U.S. Navy boat

A skier is being towed behind a boat. Who has responsibility for avoiding other boats and hazards?

boat operator

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

boat operator

If the wind or current is pushing your boat away from the dock as you prepare to dock, which line should you secure first?

bow line

By law, what have you consented to by operating a vessel on Mississippi waters?

breathilizer

How does a vessel operator keep a proper lookout?

by watching and listening

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

from the rear of the PWC over the stern

How are can buoys marked?

green with odd numbers

What piece of equipment on a boat is most important in preventing propeller strike injuries?

ignition safety switch lanyard

When should you discard a PFD?

when it has a torn strap

What colors appear on a mooring buoy?

white with a blue band

What should you check to decide if a speed is safe for your boat?

wind and water conditions

What should be included on a float plan?

your plans for the water outing

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

Always remain seated while shooting.

When is the best time to wear a PFD?

At all times

What should you do if you encounter a fishing boat while out in your vessel?

Avoid making a large wake.

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

Be aware of all traffic in the boating area.

When you are boating on a lake and the weather turns bad, what should you do first?

Be sure all on board are wearing USCG-approved PFDs.

What should the operator of a stand-on vessel do when encountering a give-way vessel?

maintain course and speed unless the give way vessel does not take action

Which practice reduces the risk of a dangerous boating emergency?

maintaining a safe speed based on the boat traffic

How does alcohol affect you when you are operating a boat?

makes it more likely that you will have an accident

Which of these should be part of a pre-departure checklist?

making sure you have enough PFDs

Which of the following vessels must be registered to operate legally on Mississippi public waters?

motorboat

What is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard?

moving around the boat while underway

Which type of anchor has little holding power?

mushroom-style

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

paper

Which of the following visual distress signals is approved for use at night?

red flare

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

seasickness

What should you do to prevent the discharge of untreated waste from a Type I or Type Il marine sanitation device (MSD)?

secure