Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BOn your starboard (right) side
   • COn either side
   • DDirectly ahead of you
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   Answer: A. On your port (left) side

   Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?

   • AWithin 10 days
   • BWithin 48 hours
   • CWithin 30 days
   • DWithin one year
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   Answer: B. Within 48 hours

   Reports are due within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, an injury beyond first aid, or a disappearance. Other reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.

3. Question 3 of 20

   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
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   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.

4. Question 4 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
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   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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?

   • AWithin 10 days
   • BIt does not need to be reported
   • CWithin 2 hours
   • DWithin 48 hours
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   Answer: A. Within 10 days

   Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Your boat meets the rules of the state where it is registered. Does it automatically meet the rules of every other state?

   • ANo. Another state may have different requirements
   • BYes, as long as it has federal equipment
   • CYes, all states have identical rules
   • DOnly if the boat is under 16 feet
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   Answer: A. No. Another state may have different requirements

   Federal rules are the minimum. A boat that meets its home state's rules may not meet the rules of another state where it is used.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?

   • AKeep out of its way
   • BSound five short blasts and continue
   • CHold your course; it must move for you
   • DPass close to look at its gear
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Keep out of its way

   A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.

9. Question 9 of 20

   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"
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   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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?

    • AKeep its course and speed
    • BSpeed up to get clear faster
    • CStop its engine right away
    • DTurn toward the other boat
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    Answer: A. Keep its course and speed

    The stand-on vessel holds its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its path.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?

    • AClass D only, for metal fires
    • B1-A only, for wood and paper
    • CAny household extinguisher
    • D5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C

    Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Which boats must display a garbage placard?

    • AOnly boats over 100 feet
    • BOnly sailboats
    • CAll boats of any size
    • DBoats 26 feet and longer
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    Answer: D. Boats 26 feet and longer

    Vessels 26 feet or longer must display a garbage placard at least 4 by 9 inches in a prominent place.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?

    • ANo, and sounding them would be illegal
    • BNo, but they may
    • CYes, always, before and after passing
    • DYes, but only at night
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    Answer: B. No, but they may

    Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.

14. Question 14 of 20

    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
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    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.

15. Question 15 of 20

    How should a give-way vessel act?

    • ABy speeding up to cross in front
    • BLate, with a small turn at the last moment
    • CEarly and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
    • DBy sounding five short blasts and holding course
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    Answer: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed

    The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    Your state has a different child life jacket age than the federal rule. Which rule applies on that state's waters?

    • AThe federal rule always
    • BThe state rule
    • CWhichever age is higher
    • DNeither; you may choose
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    Answer: B. The state rule

    Where a state sets its own child life jacket requirement, the state rule applies on waters under that state's jurisdiction.

18. Question 18 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
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    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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    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
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    Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

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

20. Question 20 of 20

    Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

    • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
    • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
    • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
    • DThe nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
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    Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place

    A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.

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