Connecticut Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?

   • AA bell and a gong mounted on deck
   • BA siren, like those used on police boats
   • CNothing; shouting loudly is enough
   • DAn efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle

   Boats under 12 meters must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a hand-held air horn or a whistle. A human voice is not acceptable.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?

   • AInside the cabin, near the helm
   • BOn each side of the forward half of the boat
   • COn the windshield, facing forward
   • DOn the transom only, below the motor
   Show answer

   Answer: B. On each side of the forward half of the boat

   Registration numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?

   • AMore than 12 miles from shore
   • BNowhere
   • CMore than 3 miles from shore
   • DOnly in rivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Nowhere

   Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?

   • AA non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
   • BA throwable cushion held on your lap
   • CNo life jacket is needed on a PWC
   • DAn inflatable belt pack
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use

   Most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use. Wear a properly sized, inherently buoyant life jacket meant for PWC riding.

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 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?

    • AOnly when towing a skier or a tube
    • BWhen on plane or above displacement speed
    • COnly when docking at a marina or ramp
    • DOnly when operating after dark
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed

    Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.

11. Question 11 of 25

    One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?

    • ATwo
    • BFour
    • CThree
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Two

    One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is a "safe speed"?

    • AA speed that lets you stop or turn in time
    • BThe speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
    • CAny speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
    • DThe highest speed your boat can safely reach
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A speed that lets you stop or turn in time

    Safe speed depends on visibility, traffic, wind, waves and your boat. You must be able to avoid a collision and stop in time.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?

    • AA referee whistle for the operator
    • BA small hand bell kept at the helm
    • CA whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
    • DNothing beyond a working VHF radio
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile

    Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    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
    Show answer

    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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?

    • AOnly sailboats that have an outboard motor
    • BOnly commercial fishing boats of any size
    • CRecreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
    • DAll recreational boats over 40 feet long
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more

    The law covers recreational vessels under 26 feet with engines that make 115 pounds of static thrust (about 3 hp) or more.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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