Arizona Boating Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

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
   Show answer

   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

   Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?

   • AMore than 12 miles from shore
   • BNowhere
   • CMore than 3 miles from shore
   • DOnly in rivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Nowhere

   Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?

   • ASafe water, such as the middle of a channel
   • BA place where boats may not go
   • CA swimming area
   • DA wreck or rock to stay away from
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel

   Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?

   • AOne prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
   • BContinuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
   • COne short blast, repeated once every minute
   • DTwo prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less

   A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

6. Question 6 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
   Show answer

   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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When must recreational boats show navigation lights?

   • AOnly when other boats are close by
   • BFrom sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
   • COnly on nights when there is no moon
   • DOnly on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility

   Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?

   • AA bell and a gong mounted on deck
   • BA siren, like those used on police boats
   • CNothing; shouting loudly is enough
   • DAn efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle

   Boats under 12 meters must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a hand-held air horn or a whistle. A human voice is not acceptable.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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).

12. Question 12 of 25

    You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?

    • AA speed limit applies in the area
    • B10 boats may anchor here
    • CIt is buoy number 10 in the channel
    • DThe water is 10 feet deep
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A speed limit applies in the area

    A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?

    • AKeep out of its way
    • BSound five short blasts and continue
    • CHold your course; it must move for you
    • DPass close to look at its gear
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep out of its way

    A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?

    • AOnly when towing a skier or a tube
    • BWhen on plane or above displacement speed
    • COnly when docking at a marina or ramp
    • DOnly when operating after dark
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed

    Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    At night you see another boat's red sidelight on your starboard side. What should you do?

    • AHold course, since you are the stand-on boat
    • BSpeed up to cross in front of it quickly
    • CGive way, because it is crossing from your right
    • DTurn off your lights so you do not confuse it
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Give way, because it is crossing from your right

    A red light on your right means a boat is crossing from your starboard side. You are the give-way vessel.

23. Question 23 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
    Show answer

    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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?

    • AAn oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
    • BA speed limit sign for the nearest marina
    • CA placard listing the names of the crew
    • DA no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches

    Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.

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