NZ Boating Rules Practice Questions 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   You are coming up behind a slower boat to pass it. Who must keep clear?

   • AYou, the overtaking boat
   • BWhichever is a sailing boat
   • CNeither boat
   • DThe slower boat
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   Answer: A. You, the overtaking boat

   An overtaking vessel must keep clear of the one being overtaken.

2. Question 2 of 25

   When are you legally "overtaking" another boat?

   • AOnly when you are faster
   • BWhen you approach from within a 135-degree sector behind its stern
   • CWhen you are ahead of it
   • DWhen you are beside it
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   Answer: B. When you approach from within a 135-degree sector behind its stern

   If you come up from within the 135-degree sector behind the other boat, you are overtaking and must give way.

3. Question 3 of 25

   The boat that should give way to you is not changing course. What must you do?

   • ASound your horn and do nothing else
   • BSpeed up to get past
   • CMake every effort to avoid a collision
   • DHold your course no matter what
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Make every effort to avoid a collision

   The stand-on boat must still do all it can to avoid a collision if the give-way boat does not act.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which side of a channel should you keep to?

   • AThe starboard (right) side
   • BThe middle
   • CThe port (left) side
   • DWhichever side is deepest
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   Answer: A. The starboard (right) side

   Keep to the starboard (right) side of any channel.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How far ahead of a large ship should you stay?

   • AAt least 500 metres
   • BAt least 5 kilometres
   • CAt least 50 metres
   • DAt least 100 metres
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   Answer: A. At least 500 metres

   Large ships are slow to stop and turn, so stay at least 500 m ahead.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How far from the sides and stern of a tanker should you stay?

   • AAt least 200 metres
   • BAt least 20 metres
   • CAt least 50 metres
   • DAt least 1 kilometre
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   Answer: A. At least 200 metres

   Keep at least 200 m from the sides and stern of tankers.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Where should you NOT anchor?

   • AAway from other boats
   • BIn a sheltered bay
   • CIn a marked anchorage
   • DIn a channel or where you block the approach to a wharf
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   Answer: D. In a channel or where you block the approach to a wharf

   Do not anchor where you obstruct other vessels or the approach to a wharf, pier or jetty.

8. Question 8 of 25

   May you tie your boat to a navigation buoy or beacon?

   • AOnly with written permission
   • BYes, for up to an hour
   • CYes, at night
   • DYes, in an emergency drill
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only with written permission

   Tying a vessel to a navigation aid needs written permission.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What must you avoid with your boat's wake?

   • ACreating a wake that causes unnecessary danger to other boats or people
   • BMaking a wake at night only
   • CNothing, wake is the other boat's problem
   • DMaking any wake at all
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Creating a wake that causes unnecessary danger to other boats or people

   You must not create a wake that puts other boats or people in unnecessary danger.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Besides the national Maritime Rules, what other rules may apply where you go boating?

    • AAirport rules
    • BRegional council navigation safety bylaws
    • CFood safety rules
    • DRoad user rules
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Regional council navigation safety bylaws

    Regional bylaws may add local rules, so check them before you go.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A skipper drinks alcohol and puts people in unnecessary danger. Which law can they be prosecuted under?

    • AThe Food Act 2014
    • BSection 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994
    • CThe Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
    • DNo law applies on the water
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994

    Maritime NZ says skippers can be prosecuted under section 65 for operating a boat in a way that causes unnecessary danger.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Why is alcohol especially risky on a boat?

    • ASun, wind, noise and motion can make its effects stronger
    • BAlcohol has no effect at sea
    • CIt improves balance
    • DIt keeps you warm in cold water
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Sun, wind, noise and motion can make its effects stronger

    Conditions on the water can intensify alcohol's effects on judgement and balance.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Roughly how quickly does the body clear alcohol?

    • AAbout one drink per day
    • BInstantly once you stop drinking
    • CAbout one standard drink per hour
    • DAbout five drinks per hour
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    Answer: C. About one standard drink per hour

    Alcohol is burned off at roughly one standard drink per hour.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How many ways to call for help should you carry, and of what kind?

    • AThree, all of them flares
    • BAt least two that work when wet
    • COne mobile phone is enough
    • DNone, if someone knows your plans
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    Answer: B. At least two that work when wet

    Maritime NZ advises carrying at least two waterproof ways to call for help.

15. Question 15 of 25

    When is a mobile phone useful for calling for help on the water?

    • AWhen it is kept dry and you are close to land
    • BOnly at night
    • COnly when wet
    • DAnywhere at sea
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When it is kept dry and you are close to land

    Mobile phones only help if they are kept dry and used close to land.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What is the best way to get urgent help in a life-threatening emergency far offshore?

    • AWaving a towel
    • BAn emergency beacon, which sends your location
    • CShouting
    • DA mobile phone in your pocket
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An emergency beacon, which sends your location

    Maritime NZ says emergency beacons are the best way to get urgent help because they transmit your location.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Someone's life is in danger on the water. Who should you call?

    • AThe boat shop
    • BYour insurance company
    • CNobody until you reach land
    • DPolice on 111
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Police on 111

    If a life is in danger, call NZ Police on 111. Report accidents to Maritime NZ as soon as possible.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which buoyage system does New Zealand use?

    • AIALA System B
    • BIts own system with no colours
    • CThe US Coast Guard system
    • DIALA System A
    Show answer

    Answer: D. IALA System A

    New Zealand waters use the IALA System A buoyage system.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does a port lateral mark look like in New Zealand?

    • AYellow with an X
    • BGreen and cone-shaped
    • CRed, can-shaped (cylinder), with a red light if lit
    • DBlack and yellow
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Red, can-shaped (cylinder), with a red light if lit

    Port marks are red, with a cylinder (can) shape or topmark and a red light.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You are entering a harbour from the sea. Which side should a red port mark be on?

    • ADirectly ahead
    • BIt does not matter
    • CYour starboard (right) side
    • DYour port (left) side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Your port (left) side

    Lateral marks follow the direction of buoyage, usually the direction you take when coming in from the sea.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does a starboard lateral mark look like in New Zealand?

    • AGreen, cone-shaped, with a green light if lit
    • BBlack with red bands
    • CRed and white stripes
    • DRed and can-shaped
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Green, cone-shaped, with a green light if lit

    Starboard marks are green with a cone shape or topmark pointing up.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A cardinal mark is black above yellow with two cones pointing up. Where should you pass it?

    • AOn its north side
    • BOn its south side
    • COn its east side
    • DBetween it and the shore
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On its north side

    This is a north cardinal mark. Pass on the north side, the side it is named for.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A mark is black with one or more broad red bands and two black spheres on top. What is it?

    • AA safe water mark
    • BA special mark
    • CA starboard mark
    • DAn isolated danger mark
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An isolated danger mark

    An isolated danger mark sits on a small danger with safe water around it.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A buoy has red and white vertical stripes. What does it show?

    • ASafe water all around it
    • BA wreck to avoid
    • CA swimming-only area
    • DThe port side of a channel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Safe water all around it

    Red and white vertical stripes mark a safe water mark.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the Coastguard Day Skipper course?

    • AA 16-hour introductory boating course with an internal certificate
    • BAn online quiz with no teaching
    • CA legal licence needed to buy a boat
    • DA commercial skipper licence
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A 16-hour introductory boating course with an internal certificate

    Day Skipper is a Coastguard Boating Education course. Its certificate is internal, not a licence.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No official exam or licence for recreational boats. Courses such as Coastguard Day Skipper are voluntary and give an internal certificate.