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Stuff Every Boater Should Know

The boating safety basics behind state boater education courses and the USCG navigation rules.

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AhaBulb practice exam: 50 questions, no time limit, pass with 40 right (80%).

Set by each state; check your state's course for its exact pass mark.

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About the real test: Boater education course and exam

Rules change: always check the official source before test day.

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  1. Federal rules say a recreational boat must carry how many wearable life jackets?
    Show the answer

    One for each person on board. Under 33 CFR 175.15, nobody may use a recreational boat unless at least one wearable PFD is aboard for each person. Each must be Coast Guard approved and the right size for its wearer.

  2. At what boat length does federal law add a throwable flotation device to the wearable ones?
    Show the answer

    16 feet or longer. 33 CFR 175.15 requires one throwable PFD on recreational boats 16 feet or more, on top of a wearable for each person. Canoes and kayaks are exempt from the throwable rule.

  3. Under the federal rule, kids under what age must wear a life jacket on a moving boat?
    Show the answer

    Under 13. 33 CFR 175.15(c) says children under 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD while the boat is underway, unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Many states set their own age instead.

All 204 practice questions

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Show all 204 questions
  1. Federal rules say a recreational boat must carry how many wearable life jackets?
  2. At what boat length does federal law add a throwable flotation device to the wearable ones?
  3. Under the federal rule, kids under what age must wear a life jacket on a moving boat?
  4. Your state's child life jacket age differs from the federal rule. Which one applies on that state's waters?
  5. How must a required throwable flotation device be kept on a boat?
  6. Before using an inflatable life jacket, what must you check?
  7. On the newer life jacket labels, what does a higher performance level number mean?
  8. Boat fire extinguishers must be Class B. What kind of fire is Class B made for?
  9. A 20-foot inboard motorboat with no built-in fire system needs at least how many 5-B extinguishers?
  10. If you use flares to meet the visual distress signal rule, how many are required?
  11. Pyrotechnic distress flares expire how long after they are made?
  12. The orange distress flag with a black square and ball counts as what kind of signal?
  13. An electronic visual distress light meets which part of the signal requirement?
  14. Where does the federal visual distress signal carriage rule apply?
  15. Where must your boat's registration numbers be displayed?
  16. How many characters are in a boat's Hull Identification Number (HIN)?
  17. Under federal law, what blood alcohol level means a recreational boat operator is under the influence?
  18. Federal capacity plate rules cover which boats?
  19. Before starting a gasoline inboard engine, how long should you run the bilge blower?
  20. When fueling a boat, what should you do with the hatches and openings first?
  21. On many boats, where can deadly carbon monoxide build up while engines or generators run?
  22. How far should you dock, beach or anchor from a boat that's running its generator or engine?
  23. A boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) needn't carry a regulation whistle. What must it have?
  24. In the Navigation Rules, how long is a 'prolonged blast'?
  25. When must recreational boats show their navigation lights?
  26. A boat's sidelights are which colors on which sides?
  27. At night you see only another boat's white sternlight, no red or green. What situation is this?
  28. A sailboat moving under sail alone at night shows which lights?
  29. A sailboat has its sails up but is also using its engine for propulsion. Under the Navigation Rules, it counts as what?
  30. A boat under 50 meters anchored at night may show what single light?
  31. Navigation Rule 5 says every vessel must keep a proper lookout using what?
  32. Navigation Rule 6 defines a safe speed as one that lets you do what?
  33. Two powerboats are meeting head-on. What should each one do?
  34. Two powerboats are crossing paths. Which one must keep out of the way?
  35. When another boat must keep out of your way, what must your stand-on boat do?
  36. When one boat passes another from behind, which boat must keep clear?
  37. A powerboat and a sailboat under sail are on a collision course in open water. Which one generally gives way?
  38. On inland waters, what does one short blast mean when meeting or crossing another powerboat?
  39. When meeting or crossing on inland waters, what do two short blasts mean?
  40. What do five or more short, rapid blasts on a boat's horn mean?
  41. Nearing a blind bend in a channel, what sound signal should you give?
  42. Traveling along a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?
  43. In U.S. waters, 'red right returning' means keep red markers where when coming in from sea?
  44. A red, cone-shaped buoy with a pointed top is called what?
  45. Green, flat-topped, cylinder-shaped buoys are called what?
  46. In the U.S. system, red channel markers carry what kind of numbers?
  47. A white marker with an orange open diamond shape means what?
  48. An orange diamond with a cross inside, on a white marker, means what?
  49. On an orange-and-white regulatory marker, what does an orange circle mean?
  50. An orange square on a white sign or buoy gives you what?
  51. Before a boat trip, who should you give your float plan to? 🔒
  52. What tool helps make sure your boat is in good working order and properly equipped before you leave? 🔒
  53. Why should a boat operator give passengers a safety briefing before getting underway? 🔒
  54. Which situation is a good reason to cancel a boat trip before leaving the dock? 🔒
  55. While you're out on the water, which sign warns that a storm may be coming? 🔒
  56. If the barometer on your boat is falling, what does the Coast Guard say it indicates? 🔒
  57. On a boat, heavy static on an AM radio can be a sign of what? 🔒
  58. In severe weather, at what angle does the Coast Guard advise heading your boat into the waves? 🔒
  59. If your engine dies in rough water, what can you trail from the bow to keep it pointed into the waves? 🔒
  60. According to the National Weather Service, which boats count as 'small craft' for a Small Craft Advisory? 🔒
  61. The NWS Special Marine Warning covers hazardous weather that usually lasts how long? 🔒
  62. You hear thunder while fishing from a small open boat. What should you do? 🔒
  63. Below what water temperature does the national boating education standard treat water as 'cold water'? 🔒
  64. What is the first danger when you suddenly fall into cold water? 🔒
  65. In the 1-10-1 cold water guideline taught in many boating courses, what does the 10 stand for? 🔒
  66. In the first few minutes after falling into cold water, what should you do? 🔒
  67. What does the H.E.L.P. position stand for in cold water survival? 🔒
  68. Several people end up in cold water after a capsize. What does the Coast Guard advise? 🔒
  69. Hypothermia is medically defined as a core body temperature below what? 🔒
  70. When pulling a long-immersed cold water victim into a small boat, what position is safest for them? 🔒
  71. A person pulled from cold water shows no signs of life after a long time under. What should you do? 🔒
  72. If you fall overboard wearing heavy clothing or waders, what does the Coast Guard say happens? 🔒
  73. In most cases, what should you do if your boat capsizes in open water? 🔒
  74. Someone falls overboard. How does the Coast Guard say you should go back to pick them up? 🔒
  75. Right after someone falls overboard, what job should one passenger take on? 🔒
  76. Federal law requires operators of boats under 26 feet to use the engine cut-off switch link when? 🔒
  77. A three-blade propeller at 3,200 rpm can strike about how many times in one second? 🔒
  78. In 2024 Coast Guard data, where the cause was known, what share of boating deaths were drownings? 🔒
  79. In 2024, where life jacket use was known, about what share of boating drowning victims weren't wearing one? 🔒
  80. According to the Coast Guard, where do most boating drowning deaths happen? 🔒
  81. In 2024, where it was known, about what share of boating deaths were on boats whose operator had no safety instruction? 🔒
  82. In 2024, where boat type was known, about what share of US boating deaths involved kayaks, canoes or paddleboards? 🔒
  83. The Coast Guard's general rule says to let out how much anchor line compared to the water depth? 🔒
  84. Why does the Coast Guard warn against anchoring a small boat from the stern? 🔒
  85. What should you have ready before you approach a dock? 🔒
  86. Where should you get your boat ready for launch at a busy boat ramp? 🔒
  87. What is the most stable position in a canoe? 🔒
  88. Separated from your kayak in a fast river, which way should your feet point as you float? 🔒
  89. What makes a low-head dam especially dangerous for boaters heading downriver? 🔒
  90. On many personal watercraft, which action is most likely to cause loss of steering? 🔒
  91. After falling off a personal watercraft, from which end is it generally easiest to climb back on? 🔒
  92. When towing a water skier or tuber, what does NASBLA say you should always have? 🔒
  93. Which VHF marine radio channel is used for distress calls and hailing? 🔒
  94. After saying 'MAYDAY' three times on the radio, what do you say next? 🔒
  95. Which radio call signals a very urgent safety message that is less serious than a MAYDAY? 🔒
  96. Which emergency device sends a 406 MHz distress signal to rescue satellites? 🔒
  97. In a busy waterway, which device can call every nearby Good Samaritan boater at once? 🔒
  98. You see another boat in distress. What does federal law require of you? 🔒
  99. A passenger is dizzy, nauseated and sweating heavily on a hot day. What should you do first? 🔒
  100. Standing on a boat and facing the bow, which side is port? 🔒
  101. Under the Navigation Rules, what must a give-way vessel do? 🔒
  102. What does a boat's 'beam' mean? 🔒
  103. What is the lowest part of the inside of a boat called? 🔒
  104. The height from the waterline up to where water could come aboard is called what? 🔒
  105. Which hull shape handles heavy waves best? 🔒
  106. What does a boat's capacity plate tell you? 🔒
  107. No capacity plate? The rule of thumb for maximum persons is length times width divided by what? 🔒
  108. Where is the best place to stow and secure gear on a boat? 🔒
  109. Why shouldn't you put a bigger motor on a boat than its horsepower rating allows? 🔒
  110. Which way of storing wearable life jackets fails the 'readily accessible' rule? 🔒
  111. You lift a buckled life jacket by its shoulders and it rides up over the wearer's ears. What does that mean? 🔒
  112. Is it smart to buy a child a bigger life jacket to 'grow into'? 🔒
  113. On a new life jacket label, what does a curved arrow with a slash through it mean? 🔒
  114. A life jacket label shows water skiing and PWC icons with slashes through them. What does that mean? 🔒
  115. A life jacket label says 'Approved only when worn.' What does that mean? 🔒
  116. Why does NASBLA stress wearing a life jacket instead of keeping it nearby? 🔒
  117. Your life jacket got soaked. How should you dry it? 🔒
  118. A foam life jacket's padding is hard, waterlogged and oil-soaked. Is it still serviceable? 🔒
  119. At night, a rowboat with no navigation lights must at least have what ready? 🔒
  120. A powerboat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of the full set? 🔒
  121. At night you see a red, a green and a white light together. What is that boat doing? 🔒
  122. Can you run bright decorative LED lights on your boat at night? 🔒
  123. On coastal waters, a boat under 16 feet must carry which visual distress signals? 🔒
  124. You spot orange smoke billowing from a boat. What does it mean? 🔒
  125. A white strobe flashing 50 to 70 times a minute is a distress signal. Does it meet the visual distress signal carriage rule? 🔒
  126. A non-rechargeable boat fire extinguisher expires how long after the date stamped on its bottom? 🔒
  127. A 30-foot boat without a fixed fire system needs two 5-B extinguishers. What single extinguisher may replace both? 🔒
  128. Which recreational boat under 26 feet may be exempt from carrying a portable fire extinguisher? 🔒
  129. Which boat must have acceptable backfire flame control? 🔒
  130. Where must a boat's ventilation exhaust duct start inside the engine compartment? 🔒
  131. Why should passengers know about a spare engine cut-off link? 🔒
  132. You sell your registered boat or move. How soon must you notify the agency that issued its number? 🔒
  133. In a Hull Identification Number, what do the first three characters identify? 🔒
  134. How do tides change the hidden hazards in a waterway? 🔒
  135. Besides TV and the internet, where does the Coast Guard say you can get a weather forecast on a boat? 🔒
  136. When packing medications for a boat trip, how much should you bring? 🔒
  137. In a good safety briefing, what should everyone aboard be able to tell rescuers? 🔒
  138. What should you check to learn about local boating hazards before a trip? 🔒
  139. What is the main safety purpose of a float plan? 🔒
  140. Which trip detail belongs in a float plan itinerary? 🔒
  141. When should you close your float plan? 🔒
  142. What belongs in a boat's preventive maintenance routine? 🔒
  143. Which set contains only common powerboat points of failure? 🔒
  144. Why check that your engine cut-off device works before a trip? 🔒
  145. Before towing a boat, what should the tow vehicle be matched to? 🔒
  146. Which pair of procedures belongs in powerboat trailer preparation? 🔒
  147. Where should you fill a portable fuel tank for your boat? 🔒
  148. Who is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of a boat? 🔒
  149. What operator responsibility means staying aware of changing activity around the boat? 🔒
  150. Whose safety must a boat operator consider? 🔒
  151. What should an operator do at controlled, danger, or exclusion areas? 🔒
  152. Which behavior must a responsible boat operator avoid? 🔒
  153. How should an operator treat other people sharing the waterway? 🔒
  154. After using a line aboard, what is the operator responsible for? 🔒
  155. A boating injury needs treatment beyond first aid. When is the federal report due? 🔒
  156. Before making a maneuver that may shift passengers, what should the operator do? 🔒
  157. How should you move around a small boat to help keep it stable? 🔒
  158. What kind of movement should passengers avoid in a small boat? 🔒
  159. When moving aboard, how many points of contact should you maintain? 🔒
  160. Besides staying within capacity, what helps keep passengers safe? 🔒
  161. What can change during a trip and require new stability precautions? 🔒
  162. How should weight be balanced in a small watercraft? 🔒
  163. What unplanned event should every boater be prepared for? 🔒
  164. Which abilities can alcohol impair while boating? 🔒
  165. Who is responsible for damage caused by a boat's wake? 🔒
  166. Which conditions should you assess before docking in a confined area? 🔒
  167. What should decide which type of anchor you use? 🔒
  168. When may special circumstances require departing from a Navigation Rule? 🔒
  169. Under Rule 7, what if you doubt whether collision risk exists? 🔒
  170. How should a Rule 8 action to avoid collision be made? 🔒
  171. In a narrow channel, what must a small boat do when a big ship can only travel inside that channel? 🔒
  172. Where does the Coast Guard warn boaters not to stop or anchor? 🔒
  173. You count as overtaking another boat when you come up from more than how many degrees behind its beam? 🔒
  174. At night you see both the red and green sidelights of a powerboat dead ahead. What situation is this? 🔒
  175. You're the stand-on boat, and the give-way boat clearly isn't moving out of your way. What may you do? 🔒
  176. The give-way boat is so close that its action alone can't prevent a collision. What must the stand-on boat do? 🔒
  177. A sailboat under sail meets a boat engaged in fishing (trawling nets, for example). Which one keeps out of the way? 🔒
  178. In fog, you hear another boat's fog signal apparently ahead of your beam. What does Rule 19 say to do? 🔒
  179. In fog, a powerboat moving through the water sounds what signal, and how often? 🔒
  180. Without permission, how close may a recreational boat come to a large U.S. naval vessel? 🔒
  181. Within what distance of a large U.S. naval vessel must you slow to minimum speed? 🔒
  182. Under America's Waterway Watch, how does the Coast Guard ask you to report suspicious activity on the water? 🔒
  183. A buoy has red and green horizontal bands. What does the color of its top band tell you? 🔒
  184. What does a buoy with red and white vertical stripes mean? 🔒
  185. A black buoy with red horizontal bands and two black balls on top marks what? 🔒
  186. A solid yellow buoy is a 'special mark.' What is it used for? 🔒
  187. When does federal law require a boat's operator to help someone in danger at sea? 🔒
  188. With no radio or flares, what body signal is an official sign of distress on the water? 🔒
  189. To send a DSC distress alert on a properly set-up marine radio, what do you do? 🔒
  190. What is an MMSI, which you need for a DSC marine radio? 🔒
  191. Why isn't a cell phone a substitute for a VHF marine radio in an emergency? 🔒
  192. Who must a 406 MHz EPIRB or personal locator beacon be registered with? 🔒
  193. Early carbon monoxide poisoning on a boat is often mistaken for what? 🔒
  194. Why is 'teak surfing' (holding onto the swim platform while the boat moves) so dangerous? 🔒
  195. In the PASS method for a fire extinguisher, where do you aim? 🔒
  196. Your powerboat runs aground. What should you do before trying to free it? 🔒
  197. Another boater asks you to tow their broken-down boat. What does NASBLA say? 🔒
  198. In Florida, what does the divers-down flag look like? 🔒
  199. According to NASBLA, many boating incidents involving hunters and anglers start with what simple action? 🔒
  200. To stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, what should you do when moving your boat to another lake? 🔒
  201. Where is it legal to throw plastic trash overboard from a boat? 🔒
  202. On a boat with a toilet, which kind of marine sanitation device is a holding tank? 🔒
  203. In a No Discharge Zone, what must you do with your boat's flow-through toilet system? 🔒
  204. Caught in a storm, where should passengers sit? 🔒