Connecticut Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

   • AA written warning, with no fine
   • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
   • CLoss of your car driver license only
   • DA fine of up to $50 and a short class
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both

   Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 20

   In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?

   • AThe starboard (right) side
   • BWhichever side has less traffic
   • CThe center of the channel
   • DThe port (left) side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The starboard (right) side

   In a narrow channel, keep as near to the outer edge on your starboard side as is safe.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Where does the state validation decal go?

   • AOn the stern, right next to the motor
   • BWithin 6 inches of the registration number
   • CInside the glove box, with the papers
   • DOn the boat trailer's left fender
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Within 6 inches of the registration number

   The validation decal goes within 6 inches of the registration number, with no other numbers or letters nearby.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?

   • ANo device is required
   • BType I only
   • CType I, II or III
   • DType II or Type III
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Type II or Type III

   Vessels 65 feet and under may use a Type I, II or III device. Vessels over 65 feet must use Type II or III.

7. Question 7 of 20

   How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?

   • AOne for every two people on board
   • BOne approved life jacket for each person
   • CTwo for the whole boat, of any size
   • DOne for the operator only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person

   Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.

8. Question 8 of 20

   What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

   • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
   • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
   • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
   • DA vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure

   A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.

9. Question 9 of 20

   A 32-foot boat built in 2020 needs fire extinguishers. Which choice meets the requirement (with no fixed system)?

   • AOne 5-B extinguisher
   • BOne household 1-A unit
   • CThree 20-B extinguishers
   • DTwo 5-B, or one 20-B
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Two 5-B, or one 20-B

   Boats 26 feet to under 40 feet need two 5-B extinguishers. Because one 20-B can replace two 5-B extinguishers, one 20-B also meets the rule.

10. Question 10 of 20

    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.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

    • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
    • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
    • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
    • DA wireless fob that stops the engine in water
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water

    Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.

12. Question 12 of 20

    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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

    • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
    • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
    • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
    • DOnly cabins that have a toilet or a sink
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor

    A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.

14. Question 14 of 20

    What do three short blasts mean?

    • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
    • B"I am turning to starboard now"
    • C"Please pass me on either side"
    • D"I need fuel or other help"
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"

    Three short blasts mean the vessel is operating astern propulsion, such as backing its engines.

15. Question 15 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
    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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?

    • AIt is safe outdoors on a boat
    • BIt only comes from diesel engines
    • CIt smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
    • DIt has no color or smell and can kill quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly

    Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.

18. Question 18 of 20

    How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

    • AAt least 20 minutes
    • BOnly while the engine is cranking
    • CAbout 10 seconds
    • DAt least 4 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

    Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

19. Question 19 of 20

    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.

20. Question 20 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
    Show answer

    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.

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