Boater Safety Exam Practice (US) 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?

   • AOne prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
   • BContinuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
   • COne short blast, repeated once every minute
   • DTwo prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less

   A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

   • AYellow
   • BWhite
   • CGreen
   • DRed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Red

   The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

4. Question 4 of 25

   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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   When must recreational boats show navigation lights?

   • AOnly when other boats are close by
   • BFrom sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
   • COnly on nights when there is no moon
   • DOnly on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility

   Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

6. Question 6 of 25

   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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?

   • AAt least 6 inches (15 cm)
   • BAt least 10 feet (3 meters)
   • CAt the same height as them
   • DAt least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)

   The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which light does a boat show when anchored at night?

   • AAn all-round red light
   • BIts red and green sidelights
   • CAn all-round white light
   • DA flashing yellow light
   Show answer

   Answer: C. An all-round white light

   A vessel at anchor shows an all-round white light at night and a black ball by day.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?

    • AA flashing blue light on the stern
    • BA white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
    • CNo light, because it has no motor
    • DA red light mounted on the bow
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show

    Vessels under oars may show sailing vessel lights, or must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to show.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    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
    Show answer

    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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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.

15. Question 15 of 25

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

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BOn either side
    • COnly on your left at night
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On your starboard (right) side

    Remember "red, right, returning": keep red markers on your starboard side when returning from sea.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?

    • AOdd numbers
    • BEven numbers
    • CLetters only
    • DNo numbers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Even numbers

    Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BIn the middle of your path
    • CIt does not matter
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On your port (left) side

    Red is kept on the right when returning, so when heading out to sea the red markers are on your left.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

    • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
    • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
    • CThere is safe water all around it
    • DKeep it on your right when returning
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It marks a special area, not a channel side

    Special marks are yellow. They point out a special area or feature and are not lateral channel markers.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?

    • ASwimmers may not enter
    • BBoats keep out of the area
    • CSlow down to 5 mph
    • DInformation about a nearby marina
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Boats keep out of the area

    A diamond with a cross marks an exclusion area. Boats must keep out, for example near dams or swimming areas.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA speed limit applies here
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam

    An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?

    • AA speed limit applies in the area
    • B10 boats may anchor here
    • CIt is buoy number 10 in the channel
    • DThe water is 10 feet deep
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A speed limit applies in the area

    A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.

25. Question 25 of 25

    This marker shows a diamond with a cross and the words "SWIM AREA". What must boaters do?

    • AKeep it on your right when returning
    • BKeep out of the marked swimming area
    • CAnchor there to swim
    • DSlow down and pass through it
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Keep out of the marked swimming area

    A diamond with a cross means boats keep out. Here it protects a swimming area.

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