Alaska Boating Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?

   • ASplash and kick constantly to stay visible
   • BTake off your life jacket so you can move freely
   • CSwim hard in circles to keep your body warm
   • DFold your arms, cross your legs and float still
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still

   The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?

   • AOnly sailboats that have an outboard motor
   • BOnly commercial fishing boats of any size
   • CRecreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
   • DAll recreational boats over 40 feet long
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more

   The law covers recreational vessels under 26 feet with engines that make 115 pounds of static thrust (about 3 hp) or more.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?

   • AOnly canoes and kayaks, of any length
   • BOnly boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
   • CAll boats of any length, including paddleboards
   • DBoats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks

   Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device (Type IV).

4. Question 4 of 20

   Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

   • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
   • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
   • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
   • DOnly cabins that have a toilet or a sink
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor

   A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.

5. Question 5 of 20

   What does an engine cut-off switch link do?

   • AStops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
   • BLocks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
   • CTurns on the navigation lights automatically
   • DStarts the bilge blower before the engine starts
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm

   The lanyard links the operator to the switch. If the operator is thrown from the helm, the link pulls free and the engine shuts off.

6. Question 6 of 20

   When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AOnly when towing a skier or a tube
   • BWhen on plane or above displacement speed
   • COnly when docking at a marina or ramp
   • DOnly when operating after dark
   Show answer

   Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed

   Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

   • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
   • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
   • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
   • DA wireless fob that stops the engine in water
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water

   Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.

8. Question 8 of 20

   At night you see another boat's red sidelight on your starboard side. What should you do?

   • AHold course, since you are the stand-on boat
   • BSpeed up to cross in front of it quickly
   • CGive way, because it is crossing from your right
   • DTurn off your lights so you do not confuse it
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Give way, because it is crossing from your right

   A red light on your right means a boat is crossing from your starboard side. You are the give-way vessel.

9. Question 9 of 20

   Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

   • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
   • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
   • CYes, if the buoy is green
   • DYes, but only in daylight
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

   Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

10. Question 10 of 20

    Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?

    • AYour body freezes solid within seconds
    • BCold water is much harder to float in
    • CLife jackets stop working in cold water
    • DCold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water

    Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.

11. Question 11 of 20

    A 22-foot outboard boat has a closed compartment where a portable fuel tank is stored. How many 5-B extinguishers does it need?

    • ATwo
    • BThree
    • CNone
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One

    Boats under 26 feet that need an extinguisher must carry one 5-B extinguisher (or none if a fixed system is installed in the machinery space).

12. Question 12 of 20

    Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

    • A225 degrees, toward the front
    • B360 degrees, all around
    • C112.5 degrees, on one side
    • D135 degrees, toward the back
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 135 degrees, toward the back

    The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.

13. Question 13 of 20

    A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

    • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
    • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
    • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
    • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

    A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

14. Question 14 of 20

    During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?

    • AA black cone with its point down
    • BAn orange flag on the mast
    • CA red pennant at the stern
    • DA black ball in the rigging
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A black cone with its point down

    A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.

15. Question 15 of 20

    What kind of numbers do green can buoys like this carry?

    • ANumbers ending in zero
    • BOdd numbers
    • CLetters only
    • DEven numbers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Odd numbers

    Green lateral markers carry odd numbers. Red markers carry even numbers.

16. Question 16 of 20

    When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

    • AWhen there are passengers on board
    • BWhen the water is calm
    • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
    • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

    The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

17. Question 17 of 20

    If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

    • ASix signals for night use only
    • BThree for day use and three for night use
    • CTen signals of any type, day or night
    • DOne for day use and one for night use
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use

    Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

18. Question 18 of 20

    Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

    • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
    • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
    • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
    • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

    Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

19. Question 19 of 20

    A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?

    • AAn oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
    • BA speed limit sign for the nearest marina
    • CA placard listing the names of the crew
    • DA no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches

    Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.

20. Question 20 of 20

    How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?

    • AAt least 12 inches, in any color
    • BAt least 6 inches, in script letters
    • CAt least 3 inches, in block characters
    • DAt least 1 inch, in any style
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 3 inches, in block characters

    The registration number must be in plain block characters at least 3 inches high, in a color that contrasts with the hull.

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