Oregon Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

Practice test 5 of 6 for the Oregon Boater Education Card Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Oregon
132 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?
- 225 degrees, toward the front
- 360 degrees, all around
- 112.5 degrees, on one side
- 135 degrees, toward the back
Show answer
Answer: D. 135 degrees, toward the back
The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.
Question 2 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 3 of 25
Which boating accident must be reported to the state?
- One where someone needs more than first aid
- A scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
- Any time a fishing line breaks on a snag
- Any 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.
Question 4 of 25
After a boating accident, what must the operator do?
- Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
- Wait for the other boat to call for help first
- Leave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
- Only call a tow company to move the boats
Show answer
Answer: A. Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
Federal law requires an operator involved in a casualty to give assistance as far as possible without serious danger, and to give their name, address and vessel identification.
Question 5 of 25
How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?
- Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
- It is moving slower than you
- Its bearing changes quickly as it approaches
- It is showing only a white light
Show answer
Answer: A. Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
If an approaching vessel's bearing does not change much while the distance closes, a risk of collision exists.
Question 6 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 7 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 8 of 25
What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?
- $2,000 or more
- $10,000 or more
- $500 or more
- $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.
Question 9 of 25
On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?
- At least 6 inches (15 cm)
- At least 10 feet (3 meters)
- At the same height as them
- At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.
Question 10 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 11 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 12 of 25
What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?
- A referee whistle for the operator
- A small hand bell kept at the helm
- A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
- Nothing 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.
Question 13 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 14 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 15 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 16 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 17 of 25
A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?
- As a power-driven vessel
- As a vessel not under command
- As a sailing vessel
- As a vessel at anchor
Show answer
Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel
A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.
Question 18 of 25
What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?
- The center of a safe channel or fairway
- An isolated danger with safe water around it
- A mooring area where boats may tie up
- The start of a no-wake zone near shore
Show answer
Answer: B. An isolated danger with safe water around it
Isolated danger marks are placed on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water around it. Do not pass close.
Question 19 of 25
What does an engine cut-off switch link do?
- Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
- Locks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
- Turns on the navigation lights automatically
- Starts 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.
Question 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 of 25
When must recreational boats show navigation lights?
- Only when other boats are close by
- From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
- Only on nights when there is no moon
- Only on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
Show answer
Answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?
- It is towing a skier and needs extra room
- It is for sale and you may come alongside
- It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
- It is anchored for the night with no one aboard
Show answer
Answer: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.

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