Ohio Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 6 for the Ohio Boater Exam Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Ohio
133 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 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 2 of 25
How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?
- At least 12 inches, in any color
- At least 6 inches, in script letters
- At least 3 inches, in block characters
- At 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.
Question 3 of 25
Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?
- The smaller of the two boats
- Boat B, the boat being passed
- Boat A, the overtaking boat
- Whichever 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.
Question 4 of 25
At night you see another boat's red sidelight on your starboard side. What should you do?
- Hold course, since you are the stand-on boat
- Speed up to cross in front of it quickly
- Give way, because it is crossing from your right
- Turn 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.
Question 5 of 25
You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?
- A speed limit applies in the area
- 10 boats may anchor here
- It is buoy number 10 in the channel
- The 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.
Question 6 of 25
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On your starboard (right) side
- On either side
- Directly 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.
Question 7 of 25
In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?
- Yellow
- White
- Green
- Red
Show answer
Answer: D. Red
The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.
Question 8 of 25
On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?
- Any size that can be read
- At least 12 inches
- At least 1 inch
- At least 4 inches
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 4 inches
Documented vessels show their name and hailing port together on the hull in letters at least 4 inches high.
Question 9 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 10 of 25
You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?
- On your port (left) side
- In the middle of your path
- It does not matter
- On 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.
Question 11 of 25
What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?
- It is safe outdoors on a boat
- It only comes from diesel engines
- It smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
- It 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.
Question 12 of 25
You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?
- A flashing blue light on the stern
- A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
- No light, because it has no motor
- A 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.
Question 13 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 14 of 25
Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?
- No device is required
- Type I only
- Type I, II or III
- Type 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.
Question 15 of 25
You approach a river bend where you cannot see around the corner. What signal should you sound on inland waters?
- Five short blasts
- Two short blasts
- One prolonged blast
- Three short blasts
Show answer
Answer: C. One prolonged blast
A vessel nearing a bend or obstructed area sounds one prolonged blast. Any vessel around the bend that hears it answers with a prolonged blast.
Question 16 of 25
How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?
- One for every two people on board
- One approved life jacket for each person
- Two for the whole boat, of any size
- One 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.
Question 17 of 25
Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?
- A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
- A throwable cushion held on your lap
- No life jacket is needed on a PWC
- An 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.
Question 18 of 25
Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?
- Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
- Only on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
- Only on small inland lakes and ponds
- Only within 1 mile of any shoreline
Show answer
Answer: A. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
Visual distress signals are required on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they become less than 2 nautical miles wide.
Question 19 of 25
A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?
- A whistle, a bell and a gong
- A hand-held air horn only
- A whistle and a bell
- A 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.
Question 20 of 25
When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?
- Only when towing a skier or a tube
- When on plane or above displacement speed
- Only when docking at a marina or ramp
- Only 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.
Question 21 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 22 of 25
Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?
- Inside the cabin, near the helm
- On each side of the forward half of the boat
- On the windshield, facing forward
- On 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.
Question 23 of 25
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On either side
- Only on your left at night
- On 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.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
A sailboat under sail (A) and a powerboat (B) are on crossing courses. Which one is the give-way vessel?
- The boat on the left
- The sailboat, A
- The powerboat, B
- The boat that is moving faster
Show answer
Answer: C. The powerboat, B
A power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, unless the sailboat is overtaking it.

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