PCOL - BC - Practice Test

Maintain course and speed, but stay alert.

Two power-driven pleasure craft are about to cross paths. What should the pleasure craft on the starboard (right) do?

at the back

Where is a pleasure craft's stern located?

all Canadian waters

Where is it illegal to dump garbage or plastics?

your wrist, lifejacket, or PFD

Where must you attach an engine shut-off line when operating a PWC?

away from magnets

Where should a pleasure craft's compass be mounted?

mushroom-style

Which type of anchor has little holding power?

length overall

Under Canadian law, pleasure craft must carry certain equipment. To determine the types of equipment your pleasure craft must carry, you need to make a measurement of the pleasure craft. What is this measurement?

hull serial number

What 12-digit number must be marked on the outside starboard side of the transom or as close to that area as possible?

propeller strike

What can be the most gruesome boating accident?

white with red vertical stripes

What colour is a buoy that indicates unobstructed water on all sides?

red flag with white diagonal stripe

What does a diver-down flag look like?

water depth

What information would you find on a nautical chart of a harbor?

checking the oil level before every outing

What is one part of a regular pleasure craft and engine maintenance program?

Use plain water or non-phosphate detergent.

What is the best way to clean the hull of your pleasure craft to protect the environment?

Drink plenty of fresh water.

What is the best way to minimize the risk of dehydration while boating in warm weather?

reduce heat loss

What is the main goal of the H.E.L.P. position?

The boat may swamp.

What is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern?

to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases

What is the purpose of a ventilation system?

planing

What kind of hull does a PWC have?

Shut OFF the engine. CLOSE all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

What should you do before fueling your pleasure craft?

Replace the lifejacket or PFD.

What should you do if a lifejacket or PFD has a tear in the outer fabric?

Look in all directions before making any turn.

What should you do to avoid colliding with another pleasure craft?

Slow down when turning.

What should you do to reduce the risk of capsizing or swamping your pleasure craft in rough water?

Dispose of it on shore

What should you do with a rag that has been used to wipe up spilled gasoline?

strong currents

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

after 10 years

When does a pleasure craft licence expire?

if it is does not endanger his or her passengers

When is a pleasure craft operator required to assist anyone injured in an accident?

near the engine and generator exhaust outlets

Where would a pleasure craft produce the highest concentration of carbon monoxide?

using bilge absorbents to clean the bilge

Which action shows responsibility to the aquatic environment?

Lifejackets and PFDs located within easy reach of everyone on board

Which lifejackets and PFDs would be considered readily accessible?

pleasure craft 6 metres (19.7 feet) or less in length that are equipped with a motor

Which pleasure craft must carry flares OR a watertight flashlight?

SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Lifejacket

Which type of lifejacket will turn most unconscious people face up in the water the fastest?

pleasure craft operator

Who is responsible for reviewing a pre-departure checklist before a pleasure craft outing?

where you are boating and when you plan to return

You are getting ready for a short daytime outing on the water. What is the most important information to tell a responsible person?

passing too closely behind another boat

You are operating a PWC. What is most likely to create a blind spot that blocks other boats from seeing you?

head-on and starboard (right)

You are operating a pleasure craft at night. Your green sidelight must be visible to boats approaching from which direction(s)?

You may be approaching a sailboat. You must give way.

You are operating a power-driven pleasure craft at night. You see only a green light on another boat. What does this light tell you?

five or more short blasts

You are out on the water. You do not understand what another boater intends to do. What sound signal should you make?

good weather

A pleasure craft's compliance notice gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the pleasure craft can carry safely in certain weather conditions. What are these conditions?

Both vessels should turn to starboard (right).

A power-driven boat and a PWC are approaching head-on. What action should be taken?

Maintain a proper lookout to avoid collision.

According to the Collision Regulations, which of the following are all pleasure craft operators required to do?

exceeding 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, what blood alcohol concentration is considered to be an offence when operating a pleasure craft?

heat stroke

After spending several hours outdoors, your skin is dry, hot, and flushed. Your pupils are dilated. You have a rapid, weak pulse. Your breathing is shallow. These are symptoms of:

the relative size of fire the extinguisher will put out

All fire extinguishers are labelled with letters and numbers. What do the numbers indicate?

Drain your live well and bilge on land before leaving the area.

How can you prevent the spread of invasive species from one waterway to another?

one for each person on board or being towed

How many lifejackets must be carried on board a PWC?

what to do if someone falls overboard

If you carry passengers in your pleasure craft, you should have a safety discussion before departing. Which of these topics should be included in the discussion?

the pleasure craft that is overtaking

One pleasure craft is overtaking another. Which one must give way?

when passing near a swimming or diving area

Operators must avoid causing damage with the pleasure craft's wake. To do this, when should you reduce your speed?

those under 12 years of age

A boat is propelled by a motor of less than 7.5 kW. What age persons may operate this boat only if a person 16 years of age or older is on board and directly supervising them?

Head the pleasure craft into the wind.

A fire breaks out in the back of your pleasure craft. What should you do?

over the stern with the engine turned off

A passenger on a small boat falls overboard. There is no reboarding device. How should this person be pulled back onto the boat?

Take early and substantial action to keep well away.

You encounter another pleasure craft. You review the situation and decide that you are the give-way pleasure craft. What must you do?

after fueling and before starting the engine

You need to refuel your PWC. When should you check for fuel vapours?

Dangerous weather is approaching.

You notice a buildup of dark clouds and shifting winds. What is likely?

to the west of this buoy

You see a cardinal buoy that is yellow with a black horizontal stripe. The top triangle points down, and the bottom triangle points up. Where is the safest water?

Keep it on your left when heading upstream.

You see a green lateral buoy. What should you do?

restricted boating area

You see a white buoy with an orange circle. What does this buoy tell you?

Drop anchor to keep your pleasure craft where it is.

Your pleasure craft runs aground, and the impact causes a leak. What should you do?

ignition-protected electrical device

Your pleasure craft's engine backfires. What will prevent the ignition of gasoline fumes?