Delaware Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   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.

4. Question 4 of 20

   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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

   • A$2,000 or more
   • B$10,000 or more
   • C$500 or more
   • D$200 or more
   Show answer

   Answer: A. $2,000 or more

   Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 20

   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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   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
   Show answer

   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.

9. Question 9 of 20

   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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?

    • AOne for every two people on board
    • BOne approved life jacket for each person
    • CTwo for the whole boat, of any size
    • DOne for the operator only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person

    Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

    • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
    • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
    • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
    • DA wireless fob that stops the engine in water
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water

    Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.

13. Question 13 of 20

    A 32-foot boat built in 2020 needs fire extinguishers. Which choice meets the requirement (with no fixed system)?

    • AOne 5-B extinguisher
    • BOne household 1-A unit
    • CThree 20-B extinguishers
    • DTwo 5-B, or one 20-B
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Two 5-B, or one 20-B

    Boats 26 feet to under 40 feet need two 5-B extinguishers. Because one 20-B can replace two 5-B extinguishers, one 20-B also meets the rule.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 20

    A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

    • AThe nearest state boating authority
    • BThe company that built your boat
    • CNobody until the written report is due
    • DYour insurance company only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority

    For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.

17. Question 17 of 20

    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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?

    • AThe starboard (right) side
    • BWhichever side has less traffic
    • CThe center of the channel
    • DThe port (left) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The starboard (right) side

    In a narrow channel, keep as near to the outer edge on your starboard side as is safe.

19. Question 19 of 20

    A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

    • AHold course because small boats have right of way
    • BNot get in its way
    • CStop in the channel and wait
    • DCross in front of it to show its position
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Not get in its way

    Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.

20. Question 20 of 20

    How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

    • AAt least 20 minutes
    • BOnly while the engine is cranking
    • CAbout 10 seconds
    • DAt least 4 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

    Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

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