Alaska Boating Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?

   • AA whistle, a bell and a gong
   • BA hand-held air horn only
   • CA whistle and a bell
   • DA whistle only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A whistle and a bell

   Vessels 20 meters or longer need a whistle and a bell. A gong is added at 100 meters or longer.

3. Question 3 of 25

   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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should a give-way vessel act?

   • ABy speeding up to cross in front
   • BLate, with a small turn at the last moment
   • CEarly and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
   • DBy sounding five short blasts and holding course
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed

   The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?

   • AThe smaller of the two boats
   • BBoat B, the boat being passed
   • CBoat A, the overtaking boat
   • DWhichever boat is closer to shore
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Boat A, the overtaking boat

   In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear until it is past.

7. Question 7 of 25

   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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?

   • AWithin 10 days
   • BWithin 48 hours
   • CWithin 30 days
   • DWithin one year
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Within 48 hours

   Reports are due within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, an injury beyond first aid, or a disappearance. Other reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.

10. Question 10 of 25

    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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Where does the state validation decal go?

    • AOn the stern, right next to the motor
    • BWithin 6 inches of the registration number
    • CInside the glove box, with the papers
    • DOn the boat trailer's left fender
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 6 inches of the registration number

    The validation decal goes within 6 inches of the registration number, with no other numbers or letters nearby.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?

    • AA referee whistle for the operator
    • BA small hand bell kept at the helm
    • CA whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
    • DNothing beyond a working VHF radio
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile

    Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?

    • AInside the cabin, near the helm
    • BOn each side of the forward half of the boat
    • COn the windshield, facing forward
    • DOn the transom only, below the motor
    Show answer

    Answer: B. On each side of the forward half of the boat

    Registration numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right.

17. Question 17 of 25

    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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which boating accident must be reported to the state?

    • AOne where someone needs more than first aid
    • BA scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
    • CAny time a fishing line breaks on a snag
    • DAny time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid

    A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    A friend lifts your life jacket at the shoulders and it stays below your chin. What does this show?

    • AIt fits properly
    • BIt is the wrong color
    • CIt is too loose
    • DIt needs to be inflated
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It fits properly

    A properly fitted life jacket stays in place when lifted at the shoulders. If it rides up over your chin or ears, it is too loose.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BIn the middle of your path
    • CIt does not matter
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On your port (left) side

    Red is kept on the right when returning, so when heading out to sea the red markers are on your left.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?

    • ASo the PWC can be anchored
    • BSo the engine stops if the rider falls off
    • CSo the lights turn on automatically
    • DSo the rider can tow a tube
    Show answer

    Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off

    If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.

25. Question 25 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.

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