Alaska Boating Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does NASBLA stand for?

   • ANorth American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
   • BNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators
   • CNational Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
   • DNational Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
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   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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?

   • AWithin 10 days
   • BIt does not need to be reported
   • CWithin 2 hours
   • DWithin 48 hours
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   Answer: A. Within 10 days

   Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?

   • ASwimmers may not enter
   • BBoats keep out of the area
   • CSlow down to 5 mph
   • DInformation 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?

   • ATurn toward the overtaking boat
   • BSound five short blasts
   • CDo nothing; silence means yes
   • DSound 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Your boat meets the rules of the state where it is registered. Does it automatically meet the rules of every other state?

   • ANo. Another state may have different requirements
   • BYes, as long as it has federal equipment
   • CYes, all states have identical rules
   • DOnly if the boat is under 16 feet
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   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

   • AAt least 20 minutes
   • BOnly while the engine is cranking
   • CAbout 10 seconds
   • DAt least 4 minutes
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   Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

   Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?

   • ACoastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
   • BOnly on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
   • COnly on small inland lakes and ponds
   • DOnly 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BOn either side
   • COnly on your left at night
   • DOn 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?

   • AOnly fishing from a dock or a pier
   • BOnly when the boat is anchored offshore
   • COnly boating after dark on large lakes
   • DWater skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding

   The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?

    • AThe beach ahead is private property
    • BShallow water ahead; boats should turn back
    • CDivers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
    • DA water-ski course is set up in this area
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    Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away

    The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

    • A$2,000 or more
    • B$10,000 or more
    • C$500 or more
    • D$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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Boat B is crossing from boat A's starboard (right) side. Which boat is the give-way vessel?

    • ABoat A
    • BWhichever boat is faster
    • CBoat B
    • DNeither; 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which light does a boat show when anchored at night?

    • AAn all-round red light
    • BIts red and green sidelights
    • CAn all-round white light
    • DA 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

    • AThe nearest state boating authority
    • BThe company that built your boat
    • CNobody until the written report is due
    • DYour 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?

    • AYes, for up to 5 years after expiry
    • BYes, if they are kept dry
    • CNo, expired pyrotechnics do not count
    • DYes, but only at night
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    Answer: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count

    Pyrotechnic signals must be in date. Expired signals do not meet the requirement.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

    • AHold course because small boats have right of way
    • BNot get in its way
    • CStop in the channel and wait
    • DCross in front of it to show its position
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Not get in its way

    Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which boats must display a garbage placard?

    • AOnly boats over 100 feet
    • BOnly sailboats
    • CAll boats of any size
    • DBoats 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?

    • AWarning of a hidden rock
    • BMarking the right side of a channel
    • CMarking a no-wake zone
    • DTying up or securing a boat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat

    Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?

    • AClass D only, for metal fires
    • B1-A only, for wood and paper
    • CAny household extinguisher
    • D5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C

    Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?

    • AA red pennant
    • BAn orange smoke signal
    • CAn electric distress light
    • DAn 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    After a boating accident, what must the operator do?

    • AStop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
    • BWait for the other boat to call for help first
    • CLeave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
    • DOnly 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

    • AAll boats, of any model year
    • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
    • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
    • DOnly 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Your state has a different child life jacket age than the federal rule. Which rule applies on that state's waters?

    • AThe federal rule always
    • BThe state rule
    • CWhichever age is higher
    • DNeither; you may choose
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The state rule

    Where a state sets its own child life jacket requirement, the state rule applies on waters under that state's jurisdiction.

25. Question 25 of 25

    How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?

    • AOne for every two people on board
    • BOne approved life jacket for each person
    • CTwo for the whole boat, of any size
    • DOne 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.

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