Canada Boating Licence (PCOC) Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

Practice test 6 of 6 for the Canada Boating Licence (PCOC) Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Canada
150 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
What does this black and red buoy with two black balls on top mark?
- The middle of a safe channel or fairway
- A place where boats may tie up for the night
- The edge of a swimming area near a beach
- An isolated danger with navigable water all around
Show answer
Answer: D. An isolated danger with navigable water all around
An isolated danger buoy is moored on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water all around it. Do not pass too close.
Question 2 of 25
What does this red and white vertically striped buoy usually mark?
- An area where boats are not allowed
- A diving operation
- Safe water, such as the centre of a channel
- A hidden rock or shoal
Show answer
Answer: C. Safe water, such as the centre of a channel
This fairway (safe water) buoy marks safe water or the middle of a channel. You may pass it on either side, but it is generally kept to port.
Question 3 of 25
What is this yellow buoy with a yellow X on top?
- A buoy marking safe water on all sides
- A danger buoy marking rocks below it
- A port hand buoy marking a channel edge
- A special buoy, not mainly used for navigation
Show answer
Answer: D. A special buoy, not mainly used for navigation
Special buoys are yellow and give specific information, such as marking scientific instruments. Their shape has no meaning.
Question 4 of 25
This white buoy has an orange diamond with a cross inside. What does it mean?
- Speed is limited to 10 km/h
- Boats may tie up here
- Boats must keep out of the area
- Swimmers must keep out of the area
Show answer
Answer: C. Boats must keep out of the area
A keep-out buoy marks an area where boats are not allowed, such as near a dam or a swimming area.
Question 5 of 25
This white buoy has an orange diamond with nothing inside it. What does it mean?
- This is a safe place to anchor for the night
- A hazard, such as a rock or shoal, is nearby
- The speed limit is about to change here
- Boats are not allowed to enter the area
Show answer
Answer: B. A hazard, such as a rock or shoal, is nearby
A hazard buoy warns of random hazards such as rocks and shoals, usually outside the main channel.
Question 6 of 25
This white buoy has an orange circle with a number inside. What does it tell you?
- The buoy's own number as shown on the chart
- A restriction applies, such as the speed limit shown
- The number of boats that may anchor here
- The depth of the water at this spot, in metres
Show answer
Answer: B. A restriction applies, such as the speed limit shown
A control buoy has an orange circle with a black figure or symbol showing the restriction, such as a speed limit.
Question 7 of 25
If a hazard, control or keep-out buoy like this one has a light, what colour is it?
- Red
- Green
- Yellow
- Blue
Show answer
Answer: C. Yellow
Regulatory buoys such as hazard, control and keep-out buoys show a yellow flashing light.
Question 8 of 25
You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe on a buoy. What does it mean?
- Divers are in the water; keep well clear and go slowly
- The water ahead is too shallow for most boats
- The buoy is private and belongs to a marina
- The area is a marked course for water-skiers
Show answer
Answer: A. Divers are in the water; keep well clear and go slowly
A diving buoy flies a red flag with a white diagonal stripe to mark active diving. Stay well away and watch for divers.
Question 9 of 25
A boat shows this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it tell you?
- The boat is towing a water-skier; watch for the line
- The boat is anchored for the night and unattended
- Divers are down and the boat cannot easily move; keep clear
- The boat is for sale; ask the owner for details
Show answer
Answer: C. Divers are down and the boat cannot easily move; keep clear
A vessel engaged in diving operations that cannot show the normal shapes displays a rigid replica of code flag "A". Keep well clear.
Question 10 of 25
Under Canadian law, operating a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs is:
- A criminal offence under the Criminal Code
- Allowed if the boat has no motor
- Only a small provincial fine
- Legal if you stay near shore
Show answer
Answer: A. A criminal offence under the Criminal Code
Operating a boat while impaired is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada, just like impaired driving.
Question 11 of 25
What is the Criminal Code blood alcohol limit for operating a vessel?
- 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
- 100 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
- 50 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
- There is no set limit for boats
Show answer
Answer: A. 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
The Criminal Code makes it an offence to have a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg or more per 100 mL of blood within two hours of operating a conveyance, which includes a vessel.
Question 12 of 25
You smoked cannabis and now want to drive your boat. What does the law say?
- Cannabis rules only apply to cars
- It is allowed if you have a passenger
- Drug-impaired operation is also a Criminal Code offence
- It is legal once cannabis is bought legally
Show answer
Answer: C. Drug-impaired operation is also a Criminal Code offence
The Criminal Code impaired-operation offences cover drugs, including cannabis, as well as alcohol, and they apply to vessels.
Question 13 of 25
Besides impaired operation, which of these is also a crime under the Criminal Code?
- Using an anchor that is not an approved model
- Forgetting to file a sail plan before a short trip
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
- Boating without a radar reflector on a small boat
Show answer
Answer: C. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
Failing to stop at the scene of an accident and operating an unseaworthy boat are crimes under the Criminal Code.
Question 14 of 25
What word do you say on a VHF radio when a life is in immediate danger?
- "Over and out"
- "Pan-pan" for any problem
- "Help me" once
- "Mayday", repeated three times
Show answer
Answer: D. "Mayday", repeated three times
The spoken word "Mayday" is a distress signal. Repeat it three times on VHF channel 16, then give your boat name, position and problem.
Question 15 of 25
Which VHF channel is used for distress calls?
- Channel 21B
- Channel 16
- Channel 68
- Channel 9
Show answer
Answer: B. Channel 16
VHF channel 16 is the international distress and calling channel, monitored by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Question 16 of 25
Which of these is a recognized distress signal?
- Slowly raising and lowering your outstretched arms
- Flashing your navigation lights on and off once
- Ringing a bell once every minute while anchored
- Waving one hand quickly above your head
Show answer
Answer: A. Slowly raising and lowering your outstretched arms
Raising and lowering outstretched arms slowly and repeatedly is one of the distress signals listed in the Collision Regulations.
Question 17 of 25
Which sound signal means a vessel is in distress?
- Two short blasts, then one prolonged blast
- Continuous sounding of a horn or fog signal
- Three short blasts, repeated twice
- One short blast, repeated once
Show answer
Answer: B. Continuous sounding of a horn or fog signal
Continuous sounding of any fog-signalling apparatus is a distress signal.
Question 18 of 25
Your boat capsizes but stays afloat. What is usually the safest choice?
- Stay with the boat and climb onto it or hold on
- Take off your lifejacket to swim faster
- Dive under the boat to look for gear
- Swim for a distant shore right away
Show answer
Answer: A. Stay with the boat and climb onto it or hold on
A boat that floats is easier for rescuers to see. Getting out of the water, or onto the boat, reduces heat loss.
Question 19 of 25
Someone falls overboard. What should you do first?
- Jump into the water after them right away to help
- Shout, throw something that floats, and keep them in sight
- Turn the boat away from them and speed up to get help
- Call the marina on your phone before doing anything else
Show answer
Answer: B. Shout, throw something that floats, and keep them in sight
Alert everyone, throw a flotation device and have someone keep watching and pointing at the person while you return to them.
Question 20 of 25
In the 1-10-1 principle, what is the first "1"?
- About 1 minute to control your breathing after cold shock
- About 1 kilometre that you can swim in cold water
- One lifejacket for every 10 people on board
- About 1 hour before you start to feel the cold
Show answer
Answer: A. About 1 minute to control your breathing after cold shock
Cold shock causes gasping. You have about 1 minute to calm your breathing. A lifejacket keeps your head up while you do.
Question 21 of 25
In the 1-10-1 principle, what does the "10" stand for?
- About 10 hours before hypothermia
- A water temperature of 10 degrees Celsius
- About 10 minutes of useful movement
- A drift speed of 10 kilometres per hour
Show answer
Answer: C. About 10 minutes of useful movement
You have about 10 minutes of meaningful movement to get out of the water or into a safer position before your arms and legs stop working well.
Question 22 of 25
In the 1-10-1 principle, what is the last "1"?
- About 1 minute before you will drown without help
- Up to about 1 hour before hypothermia causes unconsciousness
- About 1 metre that you should stay from the boat
- About 1 day before you will need medical treatment
Show answer
Answer: B. Up to about 1 hour before hypothermia causes unconsciousness
Hypothermia takes time. It can take up to about 1 hour before you lose consciousness, so a lifejacket keeps you afloat while help arrives.
Question 23 of 25
Why is sudden falling into cold water so dangerous in the first minute?
- Your body temperature drops to zero in seconds
- Your lifejacket stops working in cold water
- Cold water makes you float higher
- Cold shock makes you gasp, and you can breathe in water
Show answer
Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp, and you can breathe in water
Cold shock triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a lifejacket, you can inhale water and drown.
Question 24 of 25
You are alone in cold water, wearing a lifejacket, and cannot get out. What should you do?
- Take off your heavy clothes so you float better
- Splash and wave for as long as you possibly can
- Pull your knees up, hug your chest and stay still
- Swim hard in circles so your body stays warm
Show answer
Answer: C. Pull your knees up, hug your chest and stay still
The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) protects the areas that lose the most heat. Swim only if safety is close.
Question 25 of 25
Three people are in cold water wearing lifejackets. How can they stay warmer?
- Float on their backs far apart
- Huddle together, holding on to each other
- Spread out to be seen more easily
- Take turns swimming laps
Show answer
Answer: B. Huddle together, holding on to each other
The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

Related tests