Connecticut Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   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
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   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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A sailboat under sail (A) and a powerboat (B) are on crossing courses. Which one is the give-way vessel?

   • AThe boat on the left
   • BThe sailboat, A
   • CThe powerboat, B
   • DThe boat that is moving faster
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   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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?

   • AAt least 6 inches (15 cm)
   • BAt least 10 feet (3 meters)
   • CAt the same height as them
   • DAt 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?

   • AThe boat with the wind on its port side
   • BThe boat with the wind on its starboard side
   • CThe larger sailboat
   • DThe 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?

   • AA vessel is heading straight toward you
   • BA vessel is moving away from you
   • CA vessel is anchored
   • DA buoy marks a channel
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   Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you

   Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.

6. Question 6 of 25

   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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

   • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
   • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
   • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
   • DThe nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place

   A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

   • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
   • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
   • CThere is safe water all around it
   • DKeep 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within 10 days

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

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?

    • AOnly canoes and kayaks, of any length
    • BOnly boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
    • CAll boats of any length, including paddleboards
    • DBoats 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).

13. Question 13 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
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    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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

    • A225 degrees, toward the front
    • B360 degrees, all around
    • C112.5 degrees, on one side
    • D135 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Your boat is 40 feet long and you operate on U.S. inland waters. What document must you keep on board?

    • AA copy of the boat's insurance policy
    • BA copy of the Navigation Rules
    • CA map of every state you will visit
    • DA list of marinas with fuel
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A copy of the Navigation Rules

    Operators of vessels 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer must keep a copy of the Navigation Rules on board on inland waters.

16. Question 16 of 25

    On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?

    • AAny size that can be read
    • BAt least 12 inches
    • CAt least 1 inch
    • DAt least 4 inches
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    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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?

    • AEvery 5 years
    • BMonthly
    • CNever, if the seal is intact
    • DOnly after a fire
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Monthly

    Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How should the registration number be separated into groups?

    • AIt must be written as one long group
    • BWith a slash between letters and numbers
    • CWith a hyphen or a space the width of one letter
    • DWith periods between each character
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    Answer: C. With a hyphen or a space the width of one letter

    Spaces or hyphens equal to the width of a letter (other than I) or number (other than 1) separate the groups.

19. Question 19 of 25

    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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?

    • AIt is towing a skier and needs extra room
    • BIt is for sale and you may come alongside
    • CIt has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
    • DIt 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?

    • AIts compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
    • BIt is moving slower than you
    • CIts bearing changes quickly as it approaches
    • DIt 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?

    • AYour body freezes solid within seconds
    • BCold water is much harder to float in
    • CLife jackets stop working in cold water
    • DCold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water

    Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.

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