Boaters test answers
In Texas, what blood alcohol concentration constitutes proof that an operator is operating a vessel while intoxicated (BWI)?
0.08% or greater
What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Navy boat?
100 yards
You are operating a powerboat at night. What does it mean when you see only a red and a green light on another boat?
A sailing vessel is approaching head-on. You must give way.
How should you approach a dock when the wind or current is pushing you toward the dock?
Approach parallel to the dock and allow the wind or current to push you in.
What is the safest way to float if your small craft capsizes?
Float on your back on the upstream side of the craft.
What should you do if your small craft capsizes in swift water?
Float on your back, with your feet pointed downstream.
What is one possible meaning of a single prolonged blast of a horn?
I am coming around a blind bend.
How can you prevent static sparks while filling your boat's fuel tank?
Keep contact between the tank and the fuel spout.
You see a white buoy with an orange crossed diamond. What should you do?
Keep out of the marked area.
You return from the open sea. You see a red lighted buoy with the number 6. What should you do?
Keep the buoy on your starboard (right) side.
You are traveling upstream on a river. You see a red triangular daymark. What should you do?
Keep the marker on your starboard (right) side.
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.
You encounter another boat. You assess the situation and determine that you are the stand-on vessel. What must you do?
Maintain course and speed unless the give-way vessel fails to take action.
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.
PFDs on a boat must be readily accessible. Which storage method best meets this requirement?
PFDs are kept where they can be grabbed quickly by anyone on board.
Which PFDs would be considered readily accessible?
PFDs located within easy reach of everyone on board
A sailboat and a PWC are meeting head-on. Which one is the give-way vessel?
PWC
Which statement about PWCs is true?
PWCs are subject to all boating laws, plus a few laws specific to PWCs.
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 should you do if a fire breaks out in the front of your boat?
Put the stern into the wind.
What should you do if a PFD has a tear in the outer fabric?
Replace the PFD.
You are caught on open water during a thunderstorm. What should you do?
Seat passengers on the floor close to the centerline.
Your boat capsizes and floats away. What should you do?
Securely fasten your life jacket, and wait for help.
Your boat gets swamped far from shore. What should you do?
Stay with the boat, and signal for help.
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.
What happens when a PWC's steering control is turned to the right?
The back of the PWC is pushed to the left, and the PWC turns right.
On outboard boats, the capacity plate provides a horsepower rating. What does this rating mean?
The boat's motor should not have higher horsepower than this rating.
PWCs are very responsive to slight turns of the steering control. As a result, what dangerous situation can occur when a quick turn is made at high speed?
The operator and passengers can fall off.
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.
Which class of boats has priority when using river locks?
commercial boats
You see a white marker with an orange circle and black lettering. What does this marker tell you?
controlled area
While boating, you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does this flag mean?
diver underwater in the immediate area
What causes a PFD to wear out over time?
exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun
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
Which of these anchors is a good choice for most recreational boats?
fluke-style
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
What happens when the body loses heat faster than producing it?
hypothermia
Which is the safest area for towing a skier?
in the middle of the lake away from other boaters
You see a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering. What does this marker tell you?
keep out
Which practice reduces the risk of a boating emergency?
maintaining a safe speed based on other boat traffic
How does alcohol affect you when you are operating a boat?
makes it more likely that you will have an accident
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
Which type of anchor should be used only for small, lightweight boats?
mushroom-style
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 type of waste products may be discharged into U.S. waters?
none
For most people, how many alcoholic drinks does it take before judgment and physical reaction time are impaired?
one
According to Texas law, during what hours is it LEGAL for a boat (other than a PWC) to tow a person on water skis?
one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
What symbol on a regulatory marker is used to mark a no-wake or idle speed area?
orange circle
Which symbol on a regulatory marker is used to mark a swimming area?
orange crossed 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
Which side of a boat has a red light at night?
port (left)
What is needed for steering control on a PWC?
power to the jet drive
What part of a boat rotates to power the boat forward or backward?
propeller
Which of the following would be required when towing a person on water skis behind a PWC rated for TWO persons?
rearview mirror (a minimum of four inches by four inches)
A powerboat is operating at night. Which color light must show on the port (left) side of this boat?
red
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
Which PFD is designed to be thrown to someone in the water?
ring buoy
You see a white marker with red vertical stripes. What type of marker is this?
safe water marker
Which of the following vessels must have a Texas Certificate of Number?
sailboat 14 feet in length
Which action is safe for a PWC?
seating two people behind the operator on a PWC rated for three
Which of these is a sign of dehydration?
sleepiness
If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the FIRST thing you should do?
stop and give whatever assistance is necessary
According to Texas law, during what hours is it LEGAL for a PWC to tow a person on water skis?
sunrise to sunset
According to Texas law, during what hours is it LEGAL to operate a PWC?
sunrise to sunset
One boat is overtaking another. Which boat must give way?
the boat that is overtaking
What does a green, can-shaped buoy mark?
the edge of a channel on a boater's left side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream
You see a buoy with both red and green bands. What does this buoy mark?
the junction of two channels
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
Where is it legal to tie up your boat?
to a mooring buoy
What is the purpose of a lanyard attached to an ignition safety switch?
to shut off the engine if the operator falls overboard
What sound signal tells another boater that you wish to pass on your starboard (right) side?
two short blasts
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 13 years of age
How should firearms be transported in a boat?
unloaded with the safety on and in a gun case
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
If on federally controlled waters, which vessels are required to carry on board a whistle or horn AND a bell?
vessels 65.6 feet or more in length
What is the best way to avoid being run over by your own PWC or motorboat?
wear an ignition safety switch lanyard
You are getting ready to launch your boat. Where should you park to load your equipment and gear?
well away from the boat ramp and approach lane
When should you discard a PFD?
when it has a torn strap
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
What color is a marker that indicates safe water on all sides?
white with red vertical stripes
What should you do to prevent the discharge of untreated waste from a Type I or Type II marine sanitation device (MSD)?
Close the Y valve with a non-reusable seal.
You see a white marker with black vertical stripes. What should you do?
Do not pass between the marker and the shore.
You see a white buoy with orange bands and an orange diamond. What should you do?
Watch out for dangers such as rocks or stumps.
What is the most important thing to remember about steering a PWC?
You lose all steering control when the engine is idling or shut off.
You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine?
You will keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
Why is getting caught in a backroller near a low-head dam dangerous?
Your boat may be trapped against the dam.
Which of the following accurately describes the two types of diver-down flags?
a blue and white flag or a rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe
In Texas, what sound-producing device must be carried on board a PWC?
a whistle or horn audible for one-half mile
At what point should you open all windows and hatches when fueling?
after fueling
You need to refuel your PWC. When should you check for gas fumes?
after fueling and before starting the engine
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
Which of the following actions is LEGAL for PWCs?
attach the lanyard of a lanyard-type ignition safety switch to the operator's PFD
An inboard engine backfires. What will prevent the ignition of gasoline fumes?
backfire flame arrestor
Who is responsible for reviewing a pre-departure checklist before a boat outing?
boat operator
