Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Tanong 1 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. One prolonged blast

   A power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth sounds one prolonged blast.

2. Tanong 2 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.

3. Tanong 3 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

4. Tanong 4 ng 25

   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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

5. Tanong 5 ng 25

   Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?

   • AAnyone of any age
   • BOnly people who cannot swim
   • CPeople 16 years of age and older
   • DChildren under 13
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. People 16 years of age and older

   Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.

6. Tanong 6 ng 25

   When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AWhen there are passengers on board
   • BWhen the water is calm
   • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
   • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

   The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

7. Tanong 7 ng 25

   A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?

   • AIt is towing a skier and needs extra room
   • BIt is for sale and you may come alongside
   • CIt has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
   • DIt is anchored for the night with no one aboard
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver

   When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.

8. Tanong 8 ng 25

   How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?

   • AIts compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
   • BIt is moving slower than you
   • CIts bearing changes quickly as it approaches
   • DIt is showing only a white light
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer

   If an approaching vessel's bearing does not change much while the distance closes, a risk of collision exists.

9. Tanong 9 ng 25

   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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

10. Tanong 10 ng 25

    What does NASBLA stand for?

    • ANorth American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
    • BNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators
    • CNational Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
    • DNational Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

    NASBLA is the national association of state boating law administrators. Most state boater education courses are NASBLA-approved.

11. Tanong 11 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

12. Tanong 12 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

13. Tanong 13 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.

14. Tanong 14 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

15. Tanong 15 ng 25

    After a boating accident, what must the operator do?

    • AStop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
    • BWait for the other boat to call for help first
    • CLeave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
    • DOnly call a tow company to move the boats
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID

    Federal law requires an operator involved in a casualty to give assistance as far as possible without serious danger, and to give their name, address and vessel identification.

16. Tanong 16 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.

17. Tanong 17 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.

18. Tanong 18 ng 25

    How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?

    • AEvery 5 years
    • BMonthly
    • CNever, if the seal is intact
    • DOnly after a fire
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Monthly

    Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.

19. Tanong 19 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. Huddle close together

    The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

20. Tanong 20 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

21. Tanong 21 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

22. Tanong 22 ng 25

    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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

23. Tanong 23 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

24. Tanong 24 ng 25

    A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?

    • AAn oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
    • BA speed limit sign for the nearest marina
    • CA placard listing the names of the crew
    • DA no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches

    Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.

25. Tanong 25 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.

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