New York Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 6 for the New York Boater Exam Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
New York
133 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?
- One flashing yellow light at the bow
- Its sidelights only, with no white light
- Two red all-round lights, one above the other
- An 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.
Question 2 of 25
Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?
- More than 12 miles from shore
- Nowhere
- More than 3 miles from shore
- Only in rivers
Show answer
Answer: B. Nowhere
Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.
Question 3 of 25
Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?
- Yes, for up to 5 years after expiry
- Yes, if they are kept dry
- No, expired pyrotechnics do not count
- Yes, but only at night
Show answer
Answer: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count
Pyrotechnic signals must be in date. Expired signals do not meet the requirement.
Question 4 of 25
Where does the state validation decal go?
- On the stern, right next to the motor
- Within 6 inches of the registration number
- Inside the glove box, with the papers
- On 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.
Question 5 of 25
Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?
- Only sailboats that have an outboard motor
- Only commercial fishing boats of any size
- Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
- All 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.
Question 6 of 25
Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?
- So the PWC can be anchored
- So the engine stops if the rider falls off
- So the lights turn on automatically
- So the rider can tow a tube
Show answer
Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off
If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.
Question 7 of 25
What does NASBLA stand for?
- North American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
- National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
- National Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
- National 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.
Question 8 of 25
A 32-foot boat built in 2020 needs fire extinguishers. Which choice meets the requirement (with no fixed system)?
- One 5-B extinguisher
- One household 1-A unit
- Three 20-B extinguishers
- Two 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.
Question 9 of 25
Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?
- Within 10 days
- Within 48 hours
- Within 30 days
- Within one year
Show answer
Answer: B. Within 48 hours
Reports are due within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, an injury beyond first aid, or a disappearance. Other reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.
Question 10 of 25
What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?
- One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
- Continuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
- One short blast, repeated once every minute
- Two 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.
Question 11 of 25
Which boats must display a garbage placard?
- Only boats over 100 feet
- Only sailboats
- All boats of any size
- Boats 26 feet and longer
Show answer
Answer: D. Boats 26 feet and longer
Vessels 26 feet or longer must display a garbage placard at least 4 by 9 inches in a prominent place.
Question 12 of 25
Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?
- Your body freezes solid within seconds
- Cold water is much harder to float in
- Life jackets stop working in cold water
- Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
Show answer
Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.
Question 13 of 25
Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?
- The boat with the wind on its port side
- The boat with the wind on its starboard side
- The larger sailboat
- The boat that is to leeward
Show answer
Answer: A. The boat with the wind on its port side
When sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way.
Question 14 of 25
On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?
- It gives information, such as directions
- Danger ahead, such as rocks
- Boats must keep out of the area
- A speed limit applies in the area
Show answer
Answer: A. It gives information, such as directions
Squares give information. Diamonds warn of danger, diamonds with a cross mean keep out, and circles mark controlled areas.
Question 15 of 25
One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- One
Show answer
Answer: A. Two
One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.
Question 16 of 25
Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?
- Permanently installed fuel tanks
- A swim ladder at the stern
- A locker for the anchor and line
- A canvas bimini top for shade
Show answer
Answer: A. Permanently installed fuel tanks
Extinguishers are required on boats with features such as closed compartments where fuel tanks may be stored, permanently installed fuel tanks or closed living spaces.
Question 17 of 25
You are in a No Discharge Zone. What must you do with your marine sanitation device?
- Discharge only sewage that has been treated
- Remove the toilet from the boat completely
- Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
- Discharge only at night when no one is swimming
Show answer
Answer: C. Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
In a No Discharge Zone, no sewage may be discharged, and the device must be secured, such as with a padlocked valve or locked door.
Question 18 of 25
Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?
- Any boat that has a working VHF radio
- Boats with inboard gasoline engines
- Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
- All boats over 26 feet with a cabin
Show answer
Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.
Question 19 of 25
A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?
- The nearest state boating authority
- The company that built your boat
- Nobody until the written report is due
- Your insurance company only
Show answer
Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority
For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.
Question 20 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?
- An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
- A white all-round anchor light
- An electric distress light
- A green flashlight, held up high
Show answer
Answer: A. An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
An orange distress flag is a day signal. An electric distress light is a night signal.
Question 21 of 25
Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?
- It agrees with your plan and will hold its course
- It is about to anchor in the middle of the channel
- It is greeting you and inviting you to pass
- It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Show answer
Answer: D. It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Five or more short, rapid blasts is the doubt or danger signal. Slow down and make your intentions clear.
Question 22 of 25
Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?
- Diesel engines only
- Gasoline inboard engines
- Electric trolling motors
- All outboard motors
Show answer
Answer: B. Gasoline inboard engines
Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.
Question 23 of 25
How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?
- There is no age limit if it is full
- No more than 20 years from purchase
- No more than 5 years from manufacture
- No more than 12 years from manufacture
Show answer
Answer: D. No more than 12 years from manufacture
Disposable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years after the date stamped on the bottle, on December 31 of the 12th year.
Question 24 of 25
What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?
- Danger: rocks are right below the buoy
- It marks a special area, not a channel side
- There is safe water all around it
- Keep 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.
Question 25 of 25
What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?
- Red and white vertical stripes
- Green with a wide red band in the middle
- Black with one or more yellow bands
- White with orange bands at top and bottom
Show answer
Answer: D. White with orange bands at top and bottom
Regulatory and information markers are white with an orange band near the top and bottom. The orange shape shows the meaning.

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