Arizona Boating Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   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
   Show answer

   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AWhen there are passengers on board
   • BWhen the water is calm
   • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
   • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

   The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

3. Question 3 of 20

   On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?

   • AIt gives information, such as directions
   • BDanger ahead, such as rocks
   • CBoats must keep out of the area
   • DA 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.

4. Question 4 of 20

   Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?

   • ANo device is required
   • BType I only
   • CType I, II or III
   • DType 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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?

   • ATwo short blasts
   • BOne short blast
   • COne prolonged blast
   • DThree short blasts
   Show answer

   Answer: B. One short blast

   Inland, one short blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". Two short blasts mean "on your port side".

6. Question 6 of 20

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

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BOn your starboard (right) side
   • COn either side
   • DDirectly ahead of you
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On your port (left) side

   Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Under federal law, at what blood alcohol concentration is a recreational boat operator considered intoxicated?

   • A0.12 or higher
   • B0.02 or higher
   • C0.08 or higher
   • D0.15 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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   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 20

   You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?

   • ASteer the skier using only hand signals
   • BKeep other boats from coming close to watch
   • CWatch the skier and tell the operator what happens
   • DDrive 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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?

    • ATwo red balls on the mast
    • BAn orange flag at the stern
    • CA black ball near the bow
    • DA black cone, point down
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A black ball near the bow

    An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?

    • ADiesel engines only
    • BGasoline inboard engines
    • CElectric trolling motors
    • DAll outboard motors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Gasoline inboard engines

    Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Your boat is 14 feet long and you are on coastal waters. Which visual distress signals are required?

    • ADay and night signals at all times on the water
    • BNo signals at any time, because it is under 16 feet
    • CDay signals only, when out between sunrise and sunset
    • DNight 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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel give while it is moving through the water?

    • AA bell rung once every 5 minutes
    • BTwo short blasts every minute
    • CThree short blasts every 2 minutes
    • DOne prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes

    In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

15. Question 15 of 20

    What is a "safe speed"?

    • AA speed that lets you stop or turn in time
    • BThe speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
    • CAny speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
    • DThe 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.

16. Question 16 of 20

    What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?

    • AThe center of a safe channel or fairway
    • BAn isolated danger with safe water around it
    • CA mooring area where boats may tie up
    • DThe 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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?

    • APermanently installed fuel tanks
    • BA swim ladder at the stern
    • CA locker for the anchor and line
    • DA canvas bimini top for shade
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Permanently installed fuel tanks

    Extinguishers are required on boats with features such as closed compartments where fuel tanks may be stored, permanently installed fuel tanks or closed living spaces.

19. Question 19 of 20

    What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

    • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
    • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
    • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
    • DA 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.

20. Question 20 of 20

    What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?

    • ARed and white vertical stripes
    • BGreen with a wide red band in the middle
    • CBlack with one or more yellow bands
    • DWhite 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.

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