Wisconsin Boating Safety Exam
What is good for cleaning your vessel and does not harm lakes or rivers?
non-phosphate product
A sailboat is underway in the fog. What sound signal should you hear?
one prolonged blast plus two short blasts every two minutes
What do the symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate?
size and type of fire the extinguisher can put out
What does a green, can-shaped buoy mark?
the edge of a channel on your left side when heading upstream
Where must the expiration decal be placed on a vessel?
three inches behind the number on each side of the vessel
Which of these is a factor when determining the safe speed for a vessel?
traffic density
Under what conditions could a law enforcement officer instruct a vessel operator to return to mooring?
There are not enough personal flotation devices on board.
Whom should you contact if you see suspicious activities on the waterways?
U.S. Coast Guard
It is a good idea for all boaters to use a pre-departure checklist. Why?
to ensure safety
Who is responsible for reviewing a pre-departure checklist before a boat outing?
boat operator
A sailboat is operating under sail at night. Which of these lights should be used?
white sternlight
How should you pass a fishing boat?
with minimum wake and well away from fishing lines
What should be included on a float plan?
your plans for the water outing
What should you do to prevent the discharge of untreated waste from a Type I or Type II marine sanitation device (MSD)?
Secure the Y valve so that it cannot be opened.
When is a boat operator required to assist anyone injured in an accident?
if it is safe to do so
What amount of alcohol consumed while boating is equivalent to the amount of alcohol required to make a person legally intoxicated on land?
one-third
When boating on coastal waters, it is important to be aware of the tides. Why?
. Tides cause water levels to rise and fall
What should you do before letting someone else operate your boat?
. Make sure the person meets the minimum age and boater education requirements
You are operating a vessel that is not engaged in diving operations. How far must you stay away from a displayed diver-down flag?
100 feet
You have completed a boating safety course. According to Wisconsin law, how old must you be to operate a PWC legally?
12 years old or older
How long should your anchor line be?
7 to 10 times the depth of the water
When is a written boating accident report required?
A person dies or disappears.
Your boat capsizes but remains afloat. What should you do?
Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.
You are operating a PWC. You are heading straight toward a dock. You turn the engine off and then turn the steering control hard right. Which way will the PWC go?
It will continue straight toward the dock.
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.
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.
How does alcohol use affect boat operators and passengers?
Reaction time becomes slower.
A PWC capsizes. What is the best way to roll the PWC to turn it upright?
Roll the PWC according to the decal on the craft.
What should you do before firing a shot from a small boat?
Stop the boat and turn off the motor. Anchor or secure the boat.
A passenger on your boat falls overboard. What should you do while this person is being pulled back into the boat?
Stop the engine.
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 problem with using your boat's engine to drive it onto a trailer?
The propeller's wash can create a large hole just beyond the ramp.
What should you do if you fall overboard into cold water?
Try to reboard your boat, even if it is swamped.
Which type of PFD will turn most unconscious people face up in the water?
Type I
All vessels must have PFDs for each person on board. What additional equipment must be on board if your vessel is 16 feet or longer?
USCG-approved throwable device
What should a vessel operator do to keep a proper lookout?
Watch for navigational hazards.
By operating a vessel on Wisconsin waters, what have you consented to, if requested by a law enforcement officer?
alcohol or drug test
If an operator falls overboard, what can keep him or her from being the victim of a propeller strike?
an engine cut-off switch lanyard
Who may depart from the Navigation Rules?
anyone who needs to avoid a collision
When is the best time to wear a PFD?
at all times
In Wisconsin, which of the following actions is legal for a PWC?
attaching the lanyard of the engine cut-off switch to the operator's clothing or PFD
When should you check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition?
before fueling
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
Exhaust outlets are often located in the area under a boat's swim platform. This area should be strictly off limits. What is the danger if a swimmer enters this area?
fatal carbon monoxide poisoning
You are operating a recreational vessel less than 39.4 feet long on federally controlled waters. Which of the following is a legal sound device for this vessel?
horn
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.
You are caught in a severe storm in your boat. What should you do?
. Seat passengers on the floor close to the centerline.
Which of these causes the most collisions?
failing to keep a proper lookout
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.
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 avoid overloading your boat?
Don't exceed the limits listed on the capacity plate.
Which practice reduces the risk of a dangerous boating emergency?
maintaining a safe speed based on the boat traffic
What is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard?
moving around the boat while underway
To meet the requirement for the number of VDSs on board, what must be true about pyrotechnic VDSs?
must be unexpired
When are you allowed to refuse to follow instructions from a law enforcement officer?
never
What three ingredients are required to ignite a fire?
oxygen, fuel, and heat
What is most important when selecting the right type of PFD for a passenger?
passenger's size
Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?
pump intake area
