NZ Boating Rules Practice Questions 2026

1. Question 1 sur 25

   Do you need a licence to skipper a recreational (pleasure) boat in New Zealand?

   • AYes, a Day Skipper licence
   • BYes, for any boat with an engine
   • CNo, but you must still follow the rules
   • DOnly if the boat is over 4 metres
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. No, but you must still follow the rules

   No licence is needed to operate a pleasure boat, but the Maritime Rules and bylaws still apply.

2. Question 2 sur 25

   Who is legally responsible for the safety of a recreational boat and everyone on board?

   • AThe oldest passenger
   • BThe harbourmaster
   • CThe skipper
   • DThe boat owner's insurer
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. The skipper

   The skipper is legally responsible for the boat, the people on board and following the rules.

3. Question 3 sur 25

   A skipper says they did not know about a rule. What does Maritime NZ say?

   • ARules apply only to commercial boats
   • BRules apply only in harbours
   • CFirst-time skippers are exempt
   • DNot knowing the rules is no excuse
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: D. Not knowing the rules is no excuse

   Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse, and breaking them can lead to fines or prosecution.

4. Question 4 sur 25

   Which boats must carry a lifejacket of the right size for each person on board?

   • AOnly boats with engines
   • BOnly boats going out to sea
   • CAll recreational boats, whatever their size
   • DOnly boats over 6 metres
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. All recreational boats, whatever their size

   Skippers must carry the correct size of lifejacket for everyone on board, on every vessel.

5. Question 5 sur 25

   Since 9 October 2026, when must people wear lifejackets on a recreational boat 6 metres or shorter?

   • AOnly at night
   • BAt all times while the boat is underway
   • COnly when crossing a bar
   • DOnly children under 10
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: B. At all times while the boat is underway

   The new rule requires everyone on board a recreational craft of 6 m or under to wear a lifejacket while underway.

6. Question 6 sur 25

   Under the lifejacket wearing rule, when is a boat "underway"?

   • AOnly when out of sight of land
   • BOnly when towing
   • COnly when the engine is running fast
   • DWhen it is on the water and not anchored, tied up, aground or attached to the shore
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: D. When it is on the water and not anchored, tied up, aground or attached to the shore

   Underway means the boat is not at anchor, attached to a dock or the shore, or aground.

7. Question 7 sur 25

   How is boat length measured for the 6-metre lifejacket rule?

   • AWaterline length only
   • BLength overall, bow to stern, not counting an outboard motor
   • CLength including the outboard motor and swim platform
   • DLength of the deck only
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: B. Length overall, bow to stern, not counting an outboard motor

   Length overall includes permanent structures but not removable fittings such as outboard motors.

8. Question 8 sur 25

   On a 5-metre boat that is underway, who does NOT have to wear a lifejacket?

   • AThe skipper
   • BA strong adult swimmer sitting on board
   • CA passenger who feels safe
   • DA person actively swimming from the boat
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: D. A person actively swimming from the boat

   The rule does not apply to someone actively swimming from the craft.

9. Question 9 sur 25

   You are crossing a bar on a 9-metre boat. What is the rule about lifejackets?

   • AOnly the skipper must wear one
   • BLifejackets are optional on boats over 6 m
   • CEveryone on board must wear one
   • DOnly children must wear one
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. Everyone on board must wear one

   In times of heightened risk, such as bar crossings, rough water and emergencies, lifejackets must be worn on any size of boat.

10. Question 10 sur 25

    A person is water-skiing behind your boat. What must they wear?

    • ANothing special
    • BA properly secured lifejacket of the right size
    • CA helmet only
    • DA wetsuit only
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. A properly secured lifejacket of the right size

    Anyone being towed must wear a lifejacket, except when towed at under 5 knots.

11. Question 11 sur 25

    What is important to know about inflatable lifejackets?

    • AThey are not allowed in New Zealand
    • BThey give no flotation until inflated and need servicing every year
    • CThey float even when deflated
    • DThey never need checking
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. They give no flotation until inflated and need servicing every year

    Inflatables do not float until inflated, and Maritime NZ says they need annual servicing.

12. Question 12 sur 25

    What must every child-sized lifejacket have?

    • AA whistle and light only
    • BA built-in radio
    • CA hood
    • DA crotch strap
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. A crotch strap

    Crotch straps are mandatory on child-sized lifejackets so the jacket cannot slip off.

13. Question 13 sur 25

    What standard must a lifejacket meet in New Zealand?

    • AAny jacket labelled "buoyancy aid"
    • BNo standard is required
    • CNZS 5823:2005 or an approved international standard
    • DISO 9001
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. NZS 5823:2005 or an approved international standard

    Lifejackets must meet NZS 5823:2005 or an approved international standard.

14. Question 14 sur 25

    What is the speed limit within 200 metres of the shore?

    • ANo limit
    • B15 knots
    • C5 knots
    • D10 knots
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. 5 knots

    Do not go faster than 5 knots within 200 m of the shore or any structure.

15. Question 15 sur 25

    What is the speed limit within 200 metres of a boat showing a dive flag?

    • A12 knots
    • B5 knots
    • C2 knots
    • D8 knots
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. 5 knots

    Divers may surface anywhere near a dive flag, so keep to 5 knots within 200 m.

16. Question 16 sur 25

    What is the speed limit within 50 metres of another boat or a person swimming?

    • ANo limit
    • B20 knots
    • C10 knots
    • D5 knots
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. 5 knots

    Keep to 5 knots within 50 m of another vessel or a person in the water.

17. Question 17 sur 25

    About how fast is 5 knots?

    • AAbout 2 km/h
    • BAbout 25 km/h
    • CAbout 9 km/h, a fast walking speed
    • DAbout 50 km/h
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. About 9 km/h, a fast walking speed

    Maritime NZ describes 5 knots as about 9 km/h, a fast walking speed.

18. Question 18 sur 25

    A passenger is sitting on the bow with their legs over the side of a powerboat. What is the speed limit?

    • AAny safe speed
    • B15 knots
    • C5 knots
    • D10 knots
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. 5 knots

    Keep to 5 knots in a powered vessel while anyone has part of their body over the bow or sides.

19. Question 19 sur 25

    A 13-year-old wants to drive a boat that can go faster than 10 knots. When is this allowed?

    • AWhenever they like
    • BOnly with a person over 15 within immediate reach of the controls
    • CNever, under any circumstances
    • DOnly in the evening
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. Only with a person over 15 within immediate reach of the controls

    Under 15s may not be in charge of a powered vessel capable of over 10 knots unless directly supervised.

20. Question 20 sur 25

    You are towing a water-skier faster than 5 knots. Who else must be on board?

    • ANobody else is needed
    • BA doctor
    • CA person with a boat licence
    • DA person aged 10 or older to watch the skier
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. A person aged 10 or older to watch the skier

    Another person at least 10 years old must watch the person being towed and report any mishap.

21. Question 21 sur 25

    When is it NOT allowed to tow a water-skier?

    • AOn weekdays
    • BWhen the water is calm
    • CIn the morning
    • DBetween sunset and sunrise
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Between sunset and sunrise

    Towing a person on water skis or similar is not allowed between sunset and sunrise.

22. Question 22 sur 25

    Two powerboats are crossing. Which boat must give way?

    • AThe bigger boat
    • BThe boat that has the other on its port (left) side
    • CThe faster boat
    • DThe boat that has the other on its starboard (right) side
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. The boat that has the other on its starboard (right) side

    A powerboat gives way to a powerboat on its starboard side.

23. Question 23 sur 25

    Two powerboats are heading straight towards each other. What should both skippers do?

    • ABoth turn to port (left)
    • BBoth turn to starboard (right)
    • CBoth stop and wait
    • DThe smaller boat reverses
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. Both turn to starboard (right)

    When meeting head-on, both boats turn to starboard and pass port side to port side.

24. Question 24 sur 25

    A powerboat and a sailing boat under sail are on a collision course. Who gives way, normally?

    • AThe sailing boat
    • BThe powerboat
    • CWhichever arrived last
    • DWhichever is smaller
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. The powerboat

    Powerboats give way to sail, paddle and rowing craft, unless the other vessel is overtaking.

25. Question 25 sur 25

    Two sailing boats meet. One has the wind on its port side, the other on its starboard side. Which gives way?

    • AThe faster boat
    • BThe boat with the wind on its starboard side
    • CThe boat with the wind on its port (left) side
    • DThe larger boat
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. The boat with the wind on its port (left) side

    A sailing boat with the wind on its port side gives way; if both have wind on the same side, the windward boat gives way.

Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.

L’examen réel : No official exam or licence for recreational boats. Courses such as Coastguard Day Skipper are voluntary and give an internal certificate.