New York Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   How should a give-way vessel act?

   • ABy speeding up to cross in front
   • BLate, with a small turn at the last moment
   • CEarly and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
   • DBy sounding five short blasts and holding course
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed

   The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?

   • AA whistle, a bell and a gong
   • BA hand-held air horn only
   • CA whistle and a bell
   • DA whistle only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A whistle and a bell

   Vessels 20 meters or longer need a whistle and a bell. A gong is added at 100 meters or longer.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does an engine cut-off switch link do?

   • AStops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
   • BLocks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
   • CTurns on the navigation lights automatically
   • DStarts the bilge blower before the engine starts
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm

   The lanyard links the operator to the switch. If the operator is thrown from the helm, the link pulls free and the engine shuts off.

5. Question 5 of 25

   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

   • ASpread out to be seen
   • BFloat on their backs far apart
   • CHuddle close together
   • DTake turns swimming laps
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Huddle close together

   The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?

   • AOnly fishing from a dock or a pier
   • BOnly when the boat is anchored offshore
   • COnly boating after dark on large lakes
   • DWater skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding

   The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which boating accident must be reported to the state?

    • AOne where someone needs more than first aid
    • BA scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
    • CAny time a fishing line breaks on a snag
    • DAny time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid

    A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?

    • ATurn toward the overtaking boat
    • BSound five short blasts
    • CDo nothing; silence means yes
    • DSound the same signal back
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sound the same signal back

    The vessel being overtaken answers with the same signal if it agrees. If it is unsure, it sounds the danger signal of at least five short blasts.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?

    • ASplash and kick constantly to stay visible
    • BTake off your life jacket so you can move freely
    • CSwim hard in circles to keep your body warm
    • DFold your arms, cross your legs and float still
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still

    The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?

    • A"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    • B"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • C"I am leaving the dock"
    • D"I am anchored"
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".

19. Question 19 of 25

    What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?

    • ARely on other boats to see you
    • BWatch the radar only
    • CLook out only at night
    • DKeep a proper lookout by sight and hearing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing

    Every vessel must keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and by all available means, at all times.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

    • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
    • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
    • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
    • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

    Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

23. Question 23 of 25

    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

    • A$2,000 or more
    • B$10,000 or more
    • C$500 or more
    • D$200 or more
    Show answer

    Answer: A. $2,000 or more

    Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.

25. Question 25 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.

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