California Boater Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Tanong 1 ng 25

   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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

2. Tanong 2 ng 25

   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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

3. Tanong 3 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

4. Tanong 4 ng 25

   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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count

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

5. Tanong 5 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

6. Tanong 6 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

7. Tanong 7 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

8. Tanong 8 ng 25

   What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

   • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
   • BBoats may not enter the area
   • CA safe place to anchor overnight
   • DA speed limit applies here
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam

   An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.

9. Tanong 9 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

10. Tanong 10 ng 25

    On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?

    • ATwo short blasts
    • BOne short blast
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DThree short blasts
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. One short blast

    Inland, one short blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". Two short blasts mean "on your port side".

11. Tanong 11 ng 25

    On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?

    • AAt least 6 inches (15 cm)
    • BAt least 10 feet (3 meters)
    • CAt the same height as them
    • DAt least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)

    The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.

12. Tanong 12 ng 25

    What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?

    • ARely on other boats to see you
    • BWatch the radar only
    • CLook out only at night
    • DKeep a proper lookout by sight and hearing
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing

    Every vessel must keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and by all available means, at all times.

13. Tanong 13 ng 25

    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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

14. Tanong 14 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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. Tanong 15 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

16. Tanong 16 ng 25

    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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

17. Tanong 17 ng 25

    Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

    • AAll boats, of any model year
    • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
    • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
    • DOnly personal watercraft of any year
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier

    Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.

18. Tanong 18 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

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

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

19. Tanong 19 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

20. Tanong 20 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

21. Tanong 21 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. A speed limit applies in the area

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

22. Tanong 22 ng 25

    A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

    • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
    • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
    • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
    • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

    A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

23. Tanong 23 ng 25

    You are the stand-on vessel, but the give-way vessel is not taking action and a collision is near. What must you do?

    • ATurn off your engine and drift
    • BSound one prolonged blast and keep going
    • CTake action to avoid the collision
    • DHold course and speed no matter what
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. Take action to avoid the collision

    The stand-on vessel must take the best action to avoid collision when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent it.

24. Tanong 24 ng 25

    A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?

    • AAs a power-driven vessel
    • BAs a vessel not under command
    • CAs a sailing vessel
    • DAs a vessel at anchor
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. As a power-driven vessel

    A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.

25. Tanong 25 ng 25

    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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. $2,000 or more

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

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