Washington, DC Boating Safety Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

   • A225 degrees, toward the front
   • B360 degrees, all around
   • C112.5 degrees, on one side
   • D135 degrees, toward the back
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 135 degrees, toward the back

   The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?

   • ASteer the skier using only hand signals
   • BKeep other boats from coming close to watch
   • CWatch the skier and tell the operator what happens
   • DDrive the boat while the operator watches
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens

   The operator must watch where the boat is going, so a second person keeps a continuous eye on the skier and reports falls and signals.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

    • AYellow
    • BWhite
    • CGreen
    • DRed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Red

    The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?

    • AA non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
    • BA throwable cushion held on your lap
    • CNo life jacket is needed on a PWC
    • DAn inflatable belt pack
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use

    Most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use. Wear a properly sized, inherently buoyant life jacket meant for PWC riding.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?

    • AClass D only, for metal fires
    • B1-A only, for wood and paper
    • CAny household extinguisher
    • D5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C

    Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.

19. Question 19 of 25

    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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?

    • AWithin 10 days
    • BIt does not need to be reported
    • CWithin 2 hours
    • DWithin 48 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within 10 days

    Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

    • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
    • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
    • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
    • DThe nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place

    A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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