Boating
When is the best time to wear a PFD?
between sunset and sunrise after you fall overboard in rough water at all times
Which of these is most likely to create a boating hazard around river bridges?
boats slowing as they approach the bridge cars crossing the bridge debris collecting around pilings bridges remaining stationary through wind and waves
What colorless, odorless, poisonous gas is a by-product of gasoline engines?
carbon disulfide carbon monoxide hydrogen oxide hydrogen sulfide
Which of these causes the most collisions?
carrying alcohol on board a vessel failing to keep a proper lookout jumping the wake of other vessels displaying navigation lights incorrectly
Which type of anchor has little holding power?
fluke-style mushroom-style plow-style permanent mooring
Which of the following is a non-pyrotechnic VDS that is approved for use during the day?
orange smoke distress flag parachute flare electric light
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 PFDs to build a raft.
In Texas, which of the following is a requirement when towing a person on water skis?
The observer on board must be at least 13 years of age. The person being towed must be at least 18 years of age. The operator of the vessel must be at least 20 years of age. The people watching on shore must be at least 16 years of age.
You are operating a PWC. Which boating laws and regulations must you obey?
laws that apply to all boats, plus those specific to a PWC laws that apply to sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts state and local laws only federal laws only
What should a vessel operator do to keep a proper lookout?
Listen to the vessel's engine. Listen to the passengers talking. Watch for navigational hazards. Watch for good fishing locations.
You see a red buoy. What should you do?
Keep it on your right when heading upstream. Keep it in sight as long as possible. Watch for large rocks ahead. Ignore it.
You enter a harbor. You see a buoy with red and white vertical stripes. What should you do?
Watch for water-skiers. Put your engine in reverse. Go around the buoy on either side. Stop for gas.
A person has boater education certification. According to Texas law, how old must this person be to operate a sailboat over 14 feet long unsupervised?
at least 7 years of age at least 9 years of age at least 11 years of age at least 13 years of age
You are operating a powerboat at night. Your red sidelight must be visible to boats approaching from which direction(s)?
head-on only head-on and both sides head-on and behind head-on and port (left)
Which operation on a PWC requires more than idle speed?
refueling avoiding erosion stopping steering control
By operating a vessel on Texas waters, to what have you consented?
first-aid quiz PFD flotation test alcohol or drug test fire extinguisher demonstration
What is the main advantage of a Type IV PFD?
It is designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. It is very comfortable to wear. It has a lot of pockets. It provides good protection from cold water.
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. Stop and write your name on the marker. Go around the marker on either side. Ignore the marker.
When preparing to dock, what is the safest way to stop the forward motion of your boat?
Shift into reverse gear. Use your arms and/or legs. Use the boat's rear brakes. Toss a mooring line around a cleat.
If your boat runs aground, what action should you take in addition to shifting the weight away from the point of impact?
Stop the engine, and lift the outdrive. Put the boat in reverse, and gun the engine. Put the boat in forward, and gun the engine. Keep the engine running, and drop the anchor.
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 PFD, and wave it to signal for help.
What is the risk when a PWC passes too closely behind another boat?
The PWC may be sucked into the other boat's engine. The wake from the PWC can make a larger boat capsize. The PWC may catch fire. The other boat may create a blind spot for the PWC operator.
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.
What should you require from others who operate your vessel?
They operate the vessel responsibly. They buy their own boat insurance. They take you out to dinner afterward. They fill the gas tank after the outing.
Which of these accidents involving property damage requires the operator to report the accident by the quickest means possible?
Total damage is more than $20. Total damage is more than $100. Total damage is more than $2,000. Total damage is more than $10,000.
You are towing a skier behind your boat. Which of these is a safety precaution you should take?
Tow the skier at maximum speed to stay clear of other boats. Tow the skier close to the beach. Make sharp turns to weave through congested traffic. Avoid crowded areas near beaches, docks, and swimming areas.
Which of these would be considered a safe speed?
being able to respond quickly in an emergency being able to stop within an appropriate distance being able to swerve at the last moment to avoid a collision being able to leave a wake in high winds and rough waters
Which of the following actions is legal for a PWC operator?
chasing or disturbing wildlife with the PWC operating while under the influence of alcohol operating within 50 feet of another vessel at greater than headway speed attaching the lanyard of a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch to the operator's PFD
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
You see a white buoy with a blue band. What type of buoy is this?
fishing area buoy mooring buoy lateral marker regulatory marker
What is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard?
fishing from a boat moving around the boat while underway slowing down while turning sitting on a pedestal chair when anchored
What is the important safety information found on a boat's capacity plate?
minimum number of PFDs that must be carried on the boat minimum number of seats that must be available for people on the boat maximum capacity of the fuel tanks maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
When may passengers legally ride on the bow or gunwale while a vessel is underway?
never; it is considered illegal operation if the passengers are not wearing PFDs if the boat has seatbelts and a Type IV (throwable) device if the vessel is operating at full speed in choppy waters
Which of these is a factor that determines if a speed is safe for your boat?
number of PFDs on board number of passengers on board temperature of the water hazards in the water
Where should your passengers be while the boat is tied to the dock for fueling?
on the boat wearing a PFD on the boat securing the gear seated in the boat on the dock and away from the boat
A sailboat is underway in the fog. What sound signal should you hear?
one prolonged blast plus two short blasts every two minutes one prolonged blast every thirty minutes two prolonged blasts plus ten short blasts every forty-five minutes two prolonged blasts every hour
A passenger on a small boat falls overboard. How should this person be pulled back onto the boat?
over the side into the operator's lap over the side just forward of the steering station over the stern with the engine turned off over the stern with the engine idling in neutral
Which of the following equipment is required for motor-driven vessels operating in Texas?
permanently mounted compass effective muffling system gray skier-down flag extra vessel battery
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
What is legal when operating a vessel on Texas waters?
riding on the bow or gunwale boating in a restricted area marked by buoys increasing your speed when passing near a swimming area operating at a speed that allows you to stop the vessel safely
Which of these vessels must have a Texas Certificate of Number to operate legally on public waters?
sailboat 14 feet in length canoe without a motor rowboat kayak
Which U.S. Coast Guard-approved equipment is required for all vessels?
skier-down flags personal flotation devices flashlight with a white light emergency paddle
What piece of equipment on a boat is most important in preventing propeller strike injuries?
steering wheel engine cut-off switch lanyard auto-pilot device USCG-approved PFD
If you carry passengers in your boat, you should have a safety discussion before departing. Which of these topics should be included in the discussion?
the proper use of navigation lights what to do if someone falls overboard where the food and drink are located type of soap to use when washing the hull
All fire extinguishers are labeled with a letter and a number. What does the number indicate?
the relative size of the extinguisher the minimum age of the person allowed to use it how many times the extinguisher can be used how often the extinguisher should be inspected
Two boats are operating near each other. One of these boats must take early and substantial action to keep well away from the other boat. Which is the boat that must take action?
the stand-on vessel the give-way vessel the larger boat the boat with fewer passengers
Why should you avoid spreading non-native species between waterways?
to keep the number of native species from increasing to reduce the amount of fuel your vessel needs to prevent an accident with another vessel to protect the native species in the water
A PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch. What must the PWC operator do?
Attach the lanyard to a water bottle. Attach the lanyard to the impeller. Attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD. Attach the lanyard to any other person on the PWC.
How does alcohol use affect boat operators and passengers?
Balance and sense of direction improve. Depth perception becomes sharper. Reasoning ability becomes quicker. Reaction time becomes slower.
What should you do when you are sharing public waterways with others?
Control the noise from your boat. Ignore the other boats around you. Meet as many people as you can. Make a large wake near small boats.
When you are boating on a lake and the weather turns bad, what should you do first?
Have all passengers hold onto a rope. Seat passengers in the bow so that they are easier to see. Be sure all on board are wearing USCG-approved PFDs. Have everyone put on PFDs and then swim for shore.
If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the first thing you must do?
Look for a law enforcement officer or other help. Stop and make a thorough assessment of all property damage. Stop and render aid to other persons affected by the accident. Set off flares or other visual distress signals.
To minimize the risk of an accident, what should you do if your group plans to consume alcohol?
Make sure the alcohol is readily available. Have a non-drinker operate the vessel. Limit the vessel operator to one drink. Limit everyone on board to two drinks.
PFDs on a boat must be readily accessible. Which storage method best meets this requirement?
PFDs are stored in a locked, watertight compartment at the bow. PFDs are sealed in their original plastic bags. PFDs are kept where they can be grabbed quickly by anyone on board. PFDs are secured in a locker with the dock lines and other gear.
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.
Your boat capsizes and floats away. What should you do?
Securely fasten your PFD, and wait for help. Tie all the PFDs together to make a buoyant raft. Swim after the boat, and try to catch it. Remove your PFD, and wave it to signal for help.
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.
What should a sailboat operator do when approaching a PWC head-on?
Slow down and change course. Slowly turn away from the PWC. Shoot a flare and sound a danger signal on a horn. Maintain present course and speed.
What is the best way to check for gas fumes after fueling a PWC?
Smell for fumes. Look for gas vapors. Listen for a hissing sound. Strike a match.
What is legal when towing a person on water skis or any other device on state waters?
towing a person with an observer at least 13 years old on board towing a person who is wearing a USCG-approved ring buoy towing a person between 10 p.m. and midnight towing a person with a PWC rated for one person
How often should you check the engine oil level?
twice each year once each month before each outing before each boating season
How should firearms be transported in a boat?
unloaded and lying flat on a seat or the boat's bottom unloaded with the safety on and in a gun case loaded and lying across a hunter's lap loaded with the safety on and upright in the stern
All vessels must have one wearable PFD for each person on board. Which vessels also must have one Type IV (throwable) PFD on board?
vessels 3 feet or longer vessels 16 feet or longer vessels 29 feet or longer not required for any vessels
When can navigation rules be overlooked?
when operating less than 50 feet away from shore when necessary to avoid immediate danger in small lakes that do not have navigational aids in good visibility during the day
What is the best way to approach a dock when there is strong wind or current?
with the wind or current at a shallow angle to the wind or current at a right angle to the wind or current into the wind or current
Whom should you contact if you see suspicious activities on the waterways?
your parents your boat dealer NASA U.S. Coast Guard
You are getting ready for a short daytime outing on the water. What is the most important information to tell a responsible person?
your phone number and address where you will be boating and when you plan to return a description of your boat's equipment layout of your marina and assigned slip number
In Texas, what is the minimum blood alcohol concentration level for an operator to be considered intoxicated?
0.04% 0.06% 0.08% 0.10%
How long should your anchor line be?
3 inches less than the length of the boat 3 inches more than the length of the boat 10 to 20 times the depth of the water 7 to 10 times the depth of the water
By law, how far away must a vessel stay from a displayed diver-down flag?
50 feet 35 feet 20 feet 5 feet
You are operating a powerboat at night. You see green and white lights on another boat. What do these lights tell you?
You are the stand-on vessel but be prepared to give way if necessary.; A sailboat is approaching head-on, but you have the right of way.; A power-driven vessel is approaching head-on, but you have the right of way.; You are the give-way vessel in a head-on situation.
How does having a pre-departure checklist help you?
You have proof of ownership for the boat. You have what you need for a safe trip. You know the steps for starting the boat. You know where you are going.
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.
A person who is born after September 1, 1993, wants to operate a powerboat powered by a motor more than 15 horsepower. What is this person required to have if he or she wants to operate without supervision?
a USCG captain's license a marine radio operator permit a boater education certification card a Red Cross first-aid training certificate