25 multiple-choice questions for the boater safety (boating license) exam. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it, quoted from the official source.
1. According to the definitions provided, which of the following best describes the term 'Underway' for a vessel?
Answer: The vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. The regulation defines 'underway' by listing the specific states (anchored, made fast, aground) that exclude a vessel from being considered underway.
33 CFR § 95.010: “Underway means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.”
2. According to the regulations, how must a throwable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) be positioned on a recreational boat?
Answer: It must be immediately available. The regulation states that throwable PFDs must be immediately available, distinguishing them from wearable PFDs which must be readily accessible.
33 CFR § 175.19(b): “No person may use a recreational boat unless each throwable PFD required by § 175.15 is immediately available.”
3. You are operating a vessel that is 15 meters in length in restricted visibility. According to the rules, what is your obligation regarding sound signals?
Answer: You are not obliged to give the bell signals, but if you do not, you must make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes. The regulation specifies that vessels between 12 and 20 meters are exempt from standard bell signals but must substitute them with another efficient signal every 2 minutes if they choose not to ring the bell.
33 CFR § 83.35(i): “A vessel of 12 meters or more but less than 20 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule. However, if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.”
4. Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. You see the other vessel on your starboard side. What is your obligation?
Answer: Keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel if circumstances admit. The vessel with the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel and must keep clear, avoiding crossing ahead if possible.
33 CFR § 83.15(a): “When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.”
5. Which type of Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is considered a 'throwable PFD' according to the regulations?
Answer: Type IV. Type IV PFDs are categorized as throwable devices in the rule.
33 CFR § 175.13: “A PFD marked as Type IV or Type V with Type IV performance is considered a throwable PFD.”
6. Under what specific condition may a vessel owner retain the certificate of number on shore instead of keeping it on board?
Answer: When the vessel is less than 26 feet long and leased for noncommercial use for less than 7 days. Owners are permitted to keep the certificate on shore only for short-term, noncommercial leases of vessels under 26 feet.
33 CFR § 173.21(b): “The certificate of number for a vessel less than 26 feet in length and leased or rented to another for the latter's noncommercial operation of less than 7 days may be retained on shore by the vessel's owner or representative”
7. Which of the following is included in the definition of a 'Recreational vessel'?
Answer: A vessel meeting the definition in 46 U.S.C. 2101 that is then being used only for pleasure. The definition hinges on the vessel meeting a specific statutory definition and being used exclusively for pleasure, excluding commercial uses.
33 CFR § 95.010: “Recreational vessel means a vessel meeting the definition of that term in 46 U.S.C. 2101 that is then being used only for pleasure.”
8. You are operating a power-driven vessel and are approaching a bend in a channel where visibility is obstructed by an intervening obstruction. What sound signal must you make?
Answer: One prolonged blast. The rule mandates a single prolonged blast when approaching a bend or obstruction to alert hidden vessels.
33 CFR § 83.34(e): “A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged blast.”
9. How is 'Alcohol concentration' defined for the purpose of determining impairment?
Answer: Either grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The rule provides a precise technical definition involving specific units of measurement for blood and breath, distinguishing it from general consumption metrics.
33 CFR § 95.010: “Alcohol concentration means either grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.”
10. In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, if you are the give-way vessel and need to alter course to avoid collision, what is the preferred direction of alteration according to the rules?
Answer: Alter course to starboard to pass astern of the other vessel. The rule specifies that a give-way vessel should not alter course to port for a vessel on its own port side, implying the standard safe maneuver is to alter to starboard.
33 CFR § 83.17(c): “A power-driven vessel which takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.”
11. When completing the vessel information section of a boating accident report, which of the following is an authorized term for the propulsion type?
Answer: Water jet. The rule lists "water jet" specifically under the authorized terms for propulsion, while the other options are listed under engine drive type.
33 CFR § 173.57(b): “authorized terms are “air thrust”, “manual”, “propeller”, “sail”, “water jet”, or “other”;”
12. If agreement is not reached via radiotelephone in a crossing situation, how must whistle signals be handled?
Answer: Whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail. The rule dictates that without a radio agreement, whistle signals must be exchanged promptly and take precedence.
33 CFR § 83.34(h): “If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail.”
13. You are operating a pushing vessel rigidly connected to a vessel being pushed ahead in restricted visibility. How should you treat this combination for signaling purposes?
Answer: As a power-driven vessel, giving the signals prescribed for power-driven vessels. The rules state that a rigidly connected push-composite unit is treated as a single power-driven vessel for signaling requirements.
33 CFR § 83.35(f): “When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule.”
14. A sailing vessel underway is using a combined lantern at the top of the mast as permitted for vessels under 20 meters. Can the operator also display two all-round lights in a vertical line (upper red, lower green) at the same location?
Answer: No, these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern. The regulation prohibits combining the two all-round lights with the combined lantern allowed for smaller sailing vessels.
33 CFR § 83.25(c): “but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by paragraph (b) of this Rule.”
15. Which environmental conditions must be recorded in the casualty report regarding the time of the accident?
Answer: Visibility, weather, and water conditions. The rule lists visibility, weather, and water conditions as specific items that must be included in the report.
16. What is the primary requirement for a vessel operator when using radar to assess collision risk in restricted visibility?
Answer: Use long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision. The rule mandates proper radar use, specifically highlighting long-range scanning to gain early warning of potential collisions.
33 CFR § 83.07(b): “Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.”
17. Besides blood alcohol concentration, what other observable factor can establish that an operator is under the influence?
Answer: The effect of intoxicants on manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance, or behavior. Impairment can be determined by observing how intoxicants affect an operator's physical behavior and appearance.
33 CFR § 95.020(c): “The individual is operating any vessel and the effect of the intoxicant(s) consumed by the individual on the person's manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance or behavior is apparent by observation.”
18. What condition must be met for a crew member to consume a non-prescription or prescription drug while on duty?
Answer: The drug does not cause the individual to be intoxicated. The rule permits drug consumption only if the medication does not result in intoxication.
33 CFR § 95.045(d): “May consume a legal non-prescription or prescription drug provided the drug does not cause the individual to be intoxicated.”
19. What specific component must be inspected on a dry chemical stored pressure fire extinguisher (manufactured prior to January 1, 1965) if the outer seals are not intact?
Answer: The frangible disc in the neck of the container. For older extinguishers with broken seals, the regulation requires checking the integrity of the frangible disc located in the neck of the container.
33 CFR § 175.310(d): “If the outer seal or seals (which indicate tampering or use when broken) are not intact, the boarding officer or marine inspector will inspect such extinguishers to see that the frangible disc in the neck of the container is intact;”
20. Under what specific conditions is an alteration of course alone considered the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation?
Answer: When there is sufficient sea room, the alteration is made in good time, is substantial, and does not result in another close-quarters situation. The rule specifies that course alteration is effective only if there is enough space, the action is timely and significant, and it avoids creating a new close-quarters scenario.
33 CFR § 83.08(c): “If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation.”
21. Under what condition is a risk of collision deemed to exist even if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel shows an appreciable change?
Answer: When approaching a very large vessel or a tow. The rule specifies that bearing changes can be misleading and risk may still exist when approaching large vessels, tows, or vessels at close range.
33 CFR § 83.07(d): “Such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.”
22. You are operating a recreational vessel under way with a child aged 10 aboard. According to Coast Guard equipment rules, what is the required condition for this child?
Answer: The child must wear a PFD OR be below decks or in an enclosed cabin. The rule provides two acceptable options for compliance: wearing an approved PFD or being located below decks/in an enclosed cabin.
33 CFR § 175.15(c): “No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either— (1) Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or (2) Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.”
23. What is the correct lighting configuration for a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length if it chooses to use a combined lantern?
Answer: The combined lantern must be carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen. The regulation states that combined lanterns for smaller vessels must be positioned at or near the top of the mast for optimal visibility.
33 CFR § 83.25(b): “In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.”
24. When navigating in restricted visibility where vessels are not in sight of one another, what specific requirement applies to a power-driven vessel regarding its engines?
Answer: The engines must be ready for immediate maneuver. The regulation states that power-driven vessels must have engines ready for immediate maneuver in restricted visibility.
33 CFR § 83.19(b): “Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.”
25. Under what specific condition is a vessel considered 'underway' according to the Inland Navigation Rules?
Answer: When it is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. The rule defines 'underway' by exclusion of stationary states (anchored, moored, aground), not by motion or engine status.
33 CFR § 83.03(i): “The word underway means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.”