1. Boating Test Study Guide

2. #1 What should you do if you fall overboard into cold water?
A. Try to reboard your boat.
B. Remove any unnecessary clothing.
C. Tread water or swim to generate heat.
D. Try to float on your stomach.
Answer: A

3. #2
Visibility is restricted due to fog. What should the vessel operator do to avoid the risk of collision:
Speed up as much as possible.
Reduce speed to the minimum needed to stay on course.
Sound two long blasts
Maintain the same speed.
Answer: B

4. #3 What could happen if you anchor a boat from the stern?
The anchor line may get tangled.
It may cause the boat to swamp.
The anchor can’t hold firmly.
The anchor is difficult to retrieve.
Answer: B

5. #4 When must navigation lights be displayed?
At night when there is a risk of collision.
Only when adrift at night.
From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is restricted
Only when you are anchored or in fog.
Answer: C

6. #5
What should the operators of a PWC and a motorboat do when approaching head-on?
Both vessels should turn to starboard(right)
Both should maintain course and swerve at last moment.
The boat should turn starboard and the PWC should turn port.
The boat should turn port and the PWC should turn starboard.
Answer: A

7. #6 What determines if a speed is safe for your boat? Type of engine
Shoreline conditions
Visibility conditions
Amount of fuel available
Answer: C

8. #7
According to Alabama law, children of what age are required to wear a properly secured PFD while on a vessel unless in a closed cabin?
Under 10 years of age
Under 9 years of age
Under 8 years of age
Under 7 years of age
Answer: C

9. #8
What should anglers and hunters do when they are fishing or hunting from a boat?
Anchor in the middle of the waterway
Wear a life jacket at all times
Keep clothing to a minimum
Take along extra food and gear
Answer: B

10. #9
What should paddlers do to protect against capsizing their canoe or kayak?
Keep a low center of gravity and three points of contact.
Stand up in the craft while getting ready to dock
Lean one shoulder over the side while paddling
Move to the side closest to the shore.
Answer: A

11. #10 Why should a vessel operator keep a proper lookout? To locate fuel
To appreciate nature
To avoid collisions
To stay on course
Answer: C

12. #11
In Alabama, what are the recommended hours for personal watercraft operations?
Between 7pm and 7am
Between sunset and sunrise (daylight hours)
Between ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise
Answer: B

13. #12 Which of the following is legal operation of a PWC in Alabama?
Crossing at right angles to another vessel when visibility is obstructed.
Buzzing another vessel or person in water
Weaving through conjested traffic
Swerving at the last possible second.
Answer: A

14. #13 What should a vessel operator do to keep proper lookout?
Listen to your vessel’s engine
Listen to passengers
Watch for navigational hazards
Watch for good fishing locations
Answer: C

15. #14
According to Alabama law, during what hours is it legal to tow a person behind a boat on water skis or other device?
Between 7am and midnight
Between sunrise and sunset
Between ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset
Between 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset.
Answer: D

16. #15
According to Alabama law, what age person who has boater certification may operate a PWC without supervision?
At least 17 years old
At least 14 years old
At least 11 years old
At least 8 years old
Answer:B

17. #16 Which action may cause the loss of steering ability in a PWC?
Running at maximum throttle
Letting off the throttle control
Over steering
Under steering
Answer: B

18. #17
If your inboard/outboard boat runs aground, what action do you take to shift weight away from point of impact?
Stop the engine and lift the outdrive
Put in reverse and gun the engine
Put in forward and gun the engine
Keep the engine running and drop anchor
Answer: A

19. #18 What should you do immediately if a boat motor catches on fire?
Turn the stern of your boat into the wind
Shut off the fuel supply and use fire extinguisher
Abandon the boat
Turn on ventilation system.
Answer: B

20. #19
Under what condition is a person at the greatest risk of hypothermia?
Being in the wind a long time
When deprived of liquid
When exposed to cold air
When immersed in cold water
Answer: D

21. #20 Which condition requires you to report a boating accident?
Boat breaks down
Witness a boating accident from shore
You are arrested for BUI
Damage to your boat is more than $2000 from the accident.
Answer: D

22. #21
What is the first action required of a boat operator who witnesses a boating accident?
To provide assistance
Keep out of way
Write an incident report
Wait for rescue personnel
Answer: A

23. #22
What should a motorboat operator do when someone is being pulled into the boat from the water?
Put engine in forward
Put engine in reverse
Keep engine in neutral
Turn off the engine
Answer: D

24. #23 What should you do to reduce the risk of falling overboard?
Stand up when changing seats
Move around while underway
Keep 2 points of contact if you move
Keep centered in the boat.
Answer: D

25. #24
What must an owner do before allowing others to operate the vessel.
Check the weather
Read the manual and pass the test
Make sure they know how to operate it safely
Make sure they have a license
Answer: C

26. #25
At what distance should a vessel slow to minimum speed when approaching a US Naval vessel.
200 yards
300 yards
400 yards
500 yards
Answer: D

27. #26 Why is carbon monoxide gas dangerous? It is flammable
It blocks your view of vessels
It causes corrosion that can spark
It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and can be fatal.
Answer: D

28. #27
What is indicated by a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering?
Exclusion or keep out area
No wake zone
Information, such as food
Danger or hazard
Answer: A

29. #28
According to Alabama law, what is required when a vessel is towing a skier with no other observer is on board?
A wide angle rear view mirror
2 way radio to talk with skier
Green and red signal flag
Extra life jacket for skier
Answer: A

30. #29
What should a vessel operator do to make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency?
Throw a passenger overboard
Explain everything when emergency occurs
Have everyone take a written exam
Conduct an emergency drill with the passengers
Answer: D

31. #30
When is a sailboat the give-way vessel when meeting a power driven vessel?
When sailboat is crossing ahead on starboard side.
When sailboat is crossing ahead from port side
When the sailboat is overtaking the power driven vessel.
When 2 vessels are moving in opposite directions.
Answer: C

32. #31
According to Alabama law, which of these are considered legal operation?
Operating a vessel without the required safety equipment.
Operating above a plane speed
Operating at a speed that causes hazardous wakes
Operating at less than 5mph in a slow, no wake speed area.
Answer: D

33. #32
What is the main purpose of the lateral system of red and green buoys and markers?
To show the outer boundaries of federally controlled areas.
To provide traffic control devices
To mark the edges of safe water areas.
To provide mooring locations
Answer: C

34. #33
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed.
No vessel passes you.
You are not overtaking any other vessels
You care going slower than vessels towing skiers
You have enough time to avoid collisions
Answer: D

35. #34
When two vessels are operating in the same area, who is responsible for avoiding a collision?
The operators of both vessels
The operator of the stand-on vessel
The operator of the give-way vessel
The operator of the smaller vessel.
Answer: A

36. #35 Which is true about operating a boat in Alabama while intoxicated?
Drinking alcohol isn’t dangerous.
Operating under the influence doesn’t carry a penalty for 1st offense
By operating a boat in Alabama, a boater must submit to testing for blood alcohol concentration.
A boater paddling a canoe is less likely to be affected.
Answer: C

37. #36
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on land?
About the same effect
Much greater effect while boating
Much greater effect on land
Slightly greater on land.
Answer: B

38. #37 In Alabama, how far must a vessel stay from a diver down flag?
200 feet
150 feet
100 feet
50 feet
Answer: C

39. #38 What is the main function of an ignition safety switch?
To shut off the engine if the operator is thrown overboard.
To shut off engine when boat is beached
To prevent unauthorized operation
To prevent theft
Answer: A
toss a life saving device to the person

40. #39
What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board before departing?
How far the vessel can go before running out of fuel
Where to find PFDs and visual distress signals
What time they are returning
What food and drink is onboard
Answer: B

41. #40
How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from one waterway to another?
Flush vessel engine
Run vessel through vegetation
Avoid washing your vessel
Remove any zebra mussels you see before leaving the body of water.
Answer: D

42. #41
What is the best way to minimize the risk of drowning while boating?
Have everyone wear an appropriate life jacket at all times.
Put on life jacket after in water
Allow on board only those who have passed a swim test
Have a lifeguard on board
Answer: A

43. #42 Which of the following is an example of careless operation?
Displaying navigation lights in fog
Not having enough fuel in the bilges
Having wrong color flotation devices
Not having enough personal flotation devices on board
Answer: D

44. #43 How can a propeller strike accidents be avoided?
Turn on the engine when passengers board
Let passengers ride on the bow
Turn off the engine when passengers are boarding
Have children watch out for each other.
Answer: C

45. #44
Where should your trailer be located while you prepare to launch your vessel?
On your driveway
In front of a vessel being launched
In the water at the boat ramp
Well away from the boat ramp
Answer: D

46. #45 What should you do before fueling your boat?
Turn off the engine and open all windows, doors
Turn off the engine and close all windows, doors
Turn on the engine and open all windows, doors
Turn on the engine and close all windows, doors.
Answer: B

47. #46 How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel?
Into the wind or current, whichever is stronger
With the wind or current, whichever is stronger
At regular operating speed without slowing down
Between other vessels in heavy traffic
Answer: A

48. #47
What is one part of a regular vessel and engine maintenance program?
Storing the vessel in the sun
Checking the oil level before every outing
Cleaning the hull with a detergent
Using coarse sandpaper on aluminum hulls
Answer: B

49. #48
Which of these provides a warning that dangerous weather is approaching?
clear, sunny skies
Drop in wind speed and calm water
White clouds and gentle waves
Dark clouds and shifting winds
Answer: D

50. #49
What sound-producing device is required when boating on Alabama waters in an 18 foot powerboat?
None
A whistle, a horn, or another sound device
A whistle and a bell
A whistle, a horn, and a bell
Answer: B

51. #50
When boating on federally controlled waters in an 18 foot boat, what equipment are you legally required to have?
Blue and white international flag
US Coast Guard approved visual distress signals
Emergency radio beacon
Compass and map
Answer: B

52. #51 What effect does alcohol have when you are operating a vessel?
Makes it easier to pay attention
Helps you perform multiple tasks
Helps you avoid dehydration
Increases the likelihood of accidents
Answer: D

53. #52 When should a life jacket be discarded and replaced?
When it fits snugly
When it is slightly torn
After it has been used 20 times
After someone borrows it
Answer: B

54. #53 Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?
In the engine compartment
In a locked storage compartment
Mounted in an accessible location
Mounted in the bilge
Answer: C

55. #54
Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for ensuring this?
The vessel operator
The dock attendant
The most experienced passenger
An adult at least 18 years of age
Answer: A

56. #55
Which type of PFD will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water?
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Answer: A

57. #56
According to Alabama law, what operators are required to have completed an approved boating course in order to operate a PWC?
Operators 21 years or older
Operators 16 or 17 years old
Operators 12 years or older
Only operators who are residents of other states
Answer: C

58. #57
What is the best way to find out about hazards on a local waterway?
Consult a nautical chart
Consult a topographical map
Ask someone who went there last year
Listen to your favorite radio station
Answer: A

59. #58
What important safety information is found on a boat’s capacity plate?
Minimum number of PFDs required
Minimum number seats
Maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
Maximum capacity of fuel tanks
Answer: C

60. #59
What is most important when selecting the right PFD for a passenger?
Total number of passengers on board
Color of PFD
Passenger’s body weight and chest size
Passenger’s age and gender
Answer: C

61. #60
How should a vessel’s registration number and validation decal be displayed?
On both sides of the stern of the boat
On only the starboard side of the boat
On both sides of the bow of the boat
On only the port sides of the boat
Answer: C

62. STUDY GUIDE FOR TEST!!
THE END