Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 of 6 for the Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Washington
133 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?
- A red pennant
- An orange smoke signal
- An electric distress light
- An orange distress flag
Show answer
Answer: C. An electric distress light
An electric distress light meets the night requirement. An orange flag only counts during the day.
Question 2 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 3 of 25
Your boat meets the rules of the state where it is registered. Does it automatically meet the rules of every other state?
- No. Another state may have different requirements
- Yes, as long as it has federal equipment
- Yes, all states have identical rules
- Only if the boat is under 16 feet
Show answer
Answer: A. No. Another state may have different requirements
Federal rules are the minimum. A boat that meets its home state's rules may not meet the rules of another state where it is used.
Question 4 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.
Question 5 of 25
Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?
- The larger boat holds course and the smaller turns
- Turn to port and pass starboard to starboard
- Both stop and wait for the other to move
- Turn 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.
Question 6 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 7 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 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
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 10 of 25
A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?
- Turn toward the overtaking boat
- Sound five short blasts
- Do nothing; silence means yes
- Sound 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.
Question 11 of 25
Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?
- Only canoes and kayaks, of any length
- Only boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
- All boats of any length, including paddleboards
- Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
Show answer
Answer: D. Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device (Type IV).
Question 12 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 13 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 14 of 25
What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?
- Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
- Boats may not enter the area
- A safe place to anchor overnight
- A speed limit applies here
Show answer
Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.
Question 15 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 16 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 17 of 25
Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?
- Keep out of its way
- Sound five short blasts and continue
- Hold your course; it must move for you
- Pass close to look at its gear
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep out of its way
A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.
Question 18 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 19 of 25
Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?
- The shoreline and shallow water nearby
- The bow, where the anchor is stored
- The swim platform and the back of the boat
- The 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.
Question 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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).

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