Washington, DC Boating Safety Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

   • AHold course because small boats have right of way
   • BNot get in its way
   • CStop in the channel and wait
   • DCross in front of it to show its position
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Not get in its way

   Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?

   • AAny boat that has a working VHF radio
   • BBoats with inboard gasoline engines
   • CManually propelled boats, such as canoes
   • DAll boats over 26 feet with a cabin
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes

   Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.

3. Question 3 of 25

   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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does NASBLA stand for?

   • ANorth American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
   • BNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators
   • CNational Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
   • DNational Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
   Show answer

   Answer: B. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

   NASBLA is the national association of state boating law administrators. Most state boater education courses are NASBLA-approved.

5. Question 5 of 25

   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

   • AThe nearest state boating authority
   • BThe company that built your boat
   • CNobody until the written report is due
   • DYour insurance company only
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority

   For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

   • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
   • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
   • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
   • DA vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure

   A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?

   • AThe beach ahead is private property
   • BShallow water ahead; boats should turn back
   • CDivers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
   • DA water-ski course is set up in this area
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away

   The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?

   • ASafe water, such as the middle of a channel
   • BA place where boats may not go
   • CA swimming area
   • DA wreck or rock to stay away from
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel

   Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?

    • AA controlled area; here, no wake
    • BDanger from rocks right below
    • CBoats must keep out of the area
    • DDirections to a nearby marina
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake

    An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?

    • AThe boat with the wind on its port side
    • BThe boat with the wind on its starboard side
    • CThe larger sailboat
    • DThe boat that is to leeward
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The boat with the wind on its port side

    When sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?

    • AThe larger boat holds course and the smaller turns
    • BTurn to port and pass starboard to starboard
    • CBoth stop and wait for the other to move
    • DTurn to starboard and pass port side to port side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Turn to starboard and pass port side to port side

    In a head-on meeting, each vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port to port.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?

    • AAs a power-driven vessel
    • BAs a vessel not under command
    • CAs a sailing vessel
    • DAs a vessel at anchor
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

    A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

    • AA written warning, with no fine
    • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
    • CLoss of your car driver license only
    • DA fine of up to $50 and a short class
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both

    Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

    • ASpread out to be seen
    • BFloat on their backs far apart
    • CHuddle close together
    • DTake turns swimming laps
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Huddle close together

    The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel give while it is moving through the water?

    • AA bell rung once every 5 minutes
    • BTwo short blasts every minute
    • CThree short blasts every 2 minutes
    • DOne prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes

    In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

    • AAll boats, of any model year
    • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
    • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
    • DOnly personal watercraft of any year
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier

    Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.

18. Question 18 of 25

    At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?

    • AA vessel is heading straight toward you
    • BA vessel is moving away from you
    • CA vessel is anchored
    • DA buoy marks a channel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you

    Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.

19. Question 19 of 25

    During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?

    • ATwo red balls on the mast
    • BAn orange flag at the stern
    • CA black ball near the bow
    • DA black cone, point down
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A black ball near the bow

    An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?

    • ACoastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
    • BOnly on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
    • COnly on small inland lakes and ponds
    • DOnly within 1 mile of any shoreline
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas

    Visual distress signals are required on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they become less than 2 nautical miles wide.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?

    • AThe center of a safe channel or fairway
    • BAn isolated danger with safe water around it
    • CA mooring area where boats may tie up
    • DThe start of a no-wake zone near shore
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An isolated danger with safe water around it

    Isolated danger marks are placed on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water around it. Do not pass close.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?

    • AThe smaller of the two boats
    • BBoat B, the boat being passed
    • CBoat A, the overtaking boat
    • DWhichever boat is closer to shore
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Boat A, the overtaking boat

    In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear until it is past.

23. Question 23 of 25

    On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?

    • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
    • B"I am in distress"
    • C"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • D"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Show answer

    Answer: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?

    • AAnyone of any age
    • BOnly people who cannot swim
    • CPeople 16 years of age and older
    • DChildren under 13
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People 16 years of age and older

    Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.

25. Question 25 of 25

    For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?

    • AOnly fishing from a dock or a pier
    • BOnly when the boat is anchored offshore
    • COnly boating after dark on large lakes
    • DWater skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding

    The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.

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