Connecticut Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?

   • AThere is no age limit if it is full
   • BNo more than 20 years from purchase
   • CNo more than 5 years from manufacture
   • DNo more than 12 years from manufacture
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No more than 12 years from manufacture

   Disposable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years after the date stamped on the bottle, on December 31 of the 12th year.

2. Question 2 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?

   • ATwo
   • BThree
   • CNone
   • DOne
   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).

3. Question 3 of 25

   On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?

   • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
   • B"I am in distress"
   • C"I intend to leave you on my port side"
   • D"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
   Show answer

   Answer: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"

   Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.

4. Question 4 of 25

   On inland waters, what signal does a power-driven vessel sound when it leaves a dock or berth?

   • AOne short blast
   • BTwo prolonged blasts
   • COne prolonged blast
   • DFive short blasts
   Show answer

   Answer: C. One prolonged blast

   A power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth sounds one prolonged blast.

5. Question 5 of 25

   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

   • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
   • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
   • CYes, if the buoy is green
   • DYes, but only in daylight
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

   Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?

   • AA controlled area; here, no wake
   • BDanger from rocks right below
   • CBoats must keep out of the area
   • DDirections to a nearby marina
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake

   An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.

8. Question 8 of 25

   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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?

   • AA black cone with its point down
   • BAn orange flag on the mast
   • CA red pennant at the stern
   • DA black ball in the rigging
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A black cone with its point down

   A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

    • ASpread out to be seen
    • BFloat on their backs far apart
    • CHuddle close together
    • DTake turns swimming laps
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Huddle close together

    The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

    • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
    • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
    • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
    • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

    A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?

    • AKeep its course and speed
    • BSpeed up to get clear faster
    • CStop its engine right away
    • DTurn 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?

    • AAs a power-driven vessel
    • BAs a vessel not under command
    • CAs a sailing vessel
    • DAs a vessel at anchor
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

    A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?

    • AAny boat that has a working VHF radio
    • BBoats with inboard gasoline engines
    • CManually propelled boats, such as canoes
    • DAll boats over 26 feet with a cabin
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes

    Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.

15. Question 15 of 25

    On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?

    • A"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    • B"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • C"I am leaving the dock"
    • D"I am anchored"
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".

16. Question 16 of 25

    Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?

    • AAnyone of any age
    • BOnly people who cannot swim
    • CPeople 16 years of age and older
    • DChildren under 13
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People 16 years of age and older

    Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?

    • AOnly children who cannot swim, of any age
    • BUnder 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
    • CUnder 6, but only when the boat is out at night
    • DUnder 18, at all times when they are on board
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin

    The federal rule requires children under 13 to wear an approved life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?

    • AAn orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
    • BA white all-round anchor light
    • CAn electric distress light
    • DA 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    This marker shows a diamond with a cross and the words "SWIM AREA". What must boaters do?

    • AKeep it on your right when returning
    • BKeep out of the marked swimming area
    • CAnchor there to swim
    • DSlow down and pass through it
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Keep out of the marked swimming area

    A diamond with a cross means boats keep out. Here it protects a swimming area.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You approach a river bend where you cannot see around the corner. What signal should you sound on inland waters?

    • AFive short blasts
    • BTwo short blasts
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DThree short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One prolonged blast

    A vessel nearing a bend or obstructed area sounds one prolonged blast. Any vessel around the bend that hears it answers with a prolonged blast.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You are the stand-on vessel, but the give-way vessel is not taking action and a collision is near. What must you do?

    • ATurn off your engine and drift
    • BSound one prolonged blast and keep going
    • CTake action to avoid the collision
    • DHold course and speed no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Take action to avoid the collision

    The stand-on vessel must take the best action to avoid collision when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent it.

23. Question 23 of 25

    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

    • ASix signals for night use only
    • BThree for day use and three for night use
    • CTen signals of any type, day or night
    • DOne for day use and one for night use
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use

    Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?

    • ANo, and sounding them would be illegal
    • BNo, but they may
    • CYes, always, before and after passing
    • DYes, but only at night
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, but they may

    Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.

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The real test: 80%