Ohio Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 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
You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?
- Steer the skier using only hand signals
- Keep other boats from coming close to watch
- Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens
- Drive the boat while the operator watches
Show answer
Answer: C. Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens
The operator must watch where the boat is going, so a second person keeps a continuous eye on the skier and reports falls and signals.
Question 2 of 25
Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?
- No, and sounding them would be illegal
- No, but they may
- Yes, always, before and after passing
- Yes, but only at night
Show answer
Answer: B. No, but they may
Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.
Question 3 of 25
Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?
- Spread out to be seen
- Float on their backs far apart
- Huddle close together
- Take turns swimming laps
Show answer
Answer: C. Huddle close together
The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.
Question 4 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 5 of 25
Which light does a boat show when anchored at night?
- An all-round red light
- Its red and green sidelights
- An all-round white light
- A 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.
Question 6 of 25
A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?
- An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
- A speed limit sign for the nearest marina
- A placard listing the names of the crew
- A 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.
Question 7 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 8 of 25
What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?
- Keep its course and speed
- Speed up to get clear faster
- Stop its engine right away
- Turn toward the other boat
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep its course and speed
The stand-on vessel holds its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its path.
Question 9 of 25
Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?
- Only compartments used to store life jackets and lines
- Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
- Every compartment on every boat, of any kind
- Only 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.
Question 10 of 25
A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?
- Within 10 days
- It does not need to be reported
- Within 2 hours
- Within 48 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. Within 10 days
Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.
Question 11 of 25
Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?
- All boats, of any model year
- Only boats built in 2018 or later
- Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier
- Only 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.
Question 12 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 13 of 25
You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?
- Splash and kick constantly to stay visible
- Take off your life jacket so you can move freely
- Swim hard in circles to keep your body warm
- Fold 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.
Question 14 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.
Question 15 of 25
Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?
- A warning sticker placed on the dashboard
- A loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
- A rope tied between the helm and the ladder
- A 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.
Question 16 of 25
Boat B is crossing from boat A's starboard (right) side. Which boat is the give-way vessel?
- Boat A
- Whichever boat is faster
- Boat B
- Neither; both must stop
Show answer
Answer: A. Boat A
When two power-driven vessels cross, the one that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way. Boat A slows or turns right to pass behind B.
Question 17 of 25
What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?
- A vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
- A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
- A vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
- A 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.
Question 18 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 19 of 25
On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?
- "I am operating astern propulsion"
- "I am in distress"
- "I intend to leave you on my port side"
- "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
Show answer
Answer: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.
Question 20 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 21 of 25
Under federal law, at what blood alcohol concentration is a recreational boat operator considered intoxicated?
- 0.12 or higher
- 0.02 or higher
- 0.08 or higher
- 0.15 or higher
Show answer
Answer: C. 0.08 or higher
Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is a federal violation. States also have their own BUI laws.
Question 22 of 25
What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?
- Swimmers may not enter
- Boats keep out of the area
- Slow down to 5 mph
- Information about a nearby marina
Show answer
Answer: B. Boats keep out of the area
A diamond with a cross marks an exclusion area. Boats must keep out, for example near dams or swimming areas.
Question 23 of 25
Your boat is 14 feet long and you are on coastal waters. Which visual distress signals are required?
- Day and night signals at all times on the water
- No signals at any time, because it is under 16 feet
- Day signals only, when out between sunrise and sunset
- Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise
Show answer
Answer: D. Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise
Boats under 16 feet are exempt from day signal requirements but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.
Question 24 of 25
A 22-foot outboard boat has a closed compartment where a portable fuel tank is stored. How many 5-B extinguishers does it need?
- Two
- Three
- None
- One
Show answer
Answer: D. One
Boats under 26 feet that need an extinguisher must carry one 5-B extinguisher (or none if a fixed system is installed in the machinery space).
Question 25 of 25
What is a "safe speed"?
- A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
- The speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
- Any speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
- The 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.

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