Washington, DC Boating Safety Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?

   • AIt is safe outdoors on a boat
   • BIt only comes from diesel engines
   • CIt smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
   • DIt has no color or smell and can kill quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly

   Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.

3. Question 3 of 20

   What do three short blasts mean?

   • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
   • B"I am turning to starboard now"
   • C"Please pass me on either side"
   • D"I need fuel or other help"
   Show answer

   Answer: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"

   Three short blasts mean the vessel is operating astern propulsion, such as backing its engines.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   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.

6. Question 6 of 20

   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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   You are in a No Discharge Zone. What must you do with your marine sanitation device?

   • ADischarge only sewage that has been treated
   • BRemove the toilet from the boat completely
   • CSecure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
   • DDischarge only at night when no one is swimming
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock

   In a No Discharge Zone, no sewage may be discharged, and the device must be secured, such as with a padlocked valve or locked door.

9. Question 9 of 20

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count

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

10. Question 10 of 20

    What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?

    • AOdd numbers
    • BEven numbers
    • CLetters only
    • DNo numbers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Even numbers

    Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.

11. Question 11 of 20

    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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

    • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
    • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
    • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
    • DOnly cabins that have a toilet or a sink
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor

    A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.

13. Question 13 of 20

    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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    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 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.

16. Question 16 of 20

    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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    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.

20. Question 20 of 20

    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.

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