MARYLAND BOATING 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔In order for a PFD to be legal, it must be ___-approved, in ___ condition, and ___
accessible. - ✔✔U.S. Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and
readily accessible
✔✔Name the five types of PFDs. - ✔✔I) Offshore life Jacket
II) Near-shore Vest
III) Flotation aid
IV) Throwable device
V) Special-use device
✔✔These Type ___ PFDs are ___ devices, and most states require at least one of
these to be on board vessels 16 feet in length or longer. - ✔✔Type IV PFDs are
throwable devices
✔✔PWC operations, no matter what age, must wear an approved ___ whenever
underway. - ✔✔Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
✔✔Fire extinguishers should be placed in an area that is ___ and not near the ___. -
✔✔Accessible and not near the engine
✔✔It is recommended that you wait at least ___ minutes after turning on your vessel's
blower (if so equipped) and before starting your engine. - ✔✔Four
✔✔For an 18-foot-powerboat, required navigation lights include a red light on the ___, a
green light on the ___, and ___. - ✔✔Red light on the port (left), a green light on the
starboard (right), and a white light
✔✔A 16-foot canoe away from dock after dark must have on hand at least a ___ or ___.
- ✔✔Flashlight or lantern
✔✔Name two visual distress signals (VDSs) for use at night. - ✔✔I) Red flares
II) Red meteors
III) Electric Light
✔✔Describe the appearance of a divers flag. - ✔✔Red flag with white diagonal stripe
✔✔If an observer is on board when pulling a skier behind a vessel, the vessel should be
rated to carry at least ___ people. - ✔✔Three
✔✔Water-skier(s) may be towed at night with proper lighting.
, True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔It is illegal to discharge ___, ___, or ___ into federally controlled or state waters. -
✔✔Waste, oil, or trash
✔✔You must report on any accident you are in if it results in ___, ___, or ___. -
✔✔Death, serious injury, or significant property damage
✔✔In a typical boating fatality, life jackets are ___ but are not ___. - ✔✔On the boat but
are not being worn
✔✔Name three boating stressors that make you tire more rapidly when on the water. -
✔✔I) Glare and heat of the sun
II) Motion
III) Noise and Vibration of the Engine
✔✔To prevent dehydration while on the water, you should drink some water at least
___. - ✔✔Every 15-20 minutes
✔✔One-___ of the amount of alcohol that makes a person legally intoxicated on land
can be enough to make someone equally intoxicated when on the water. - ✔✔Third
✔✔___ is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. - ✔✔Alcohol
✔✔An easy way to remember priorities for rescuing someone who has fallen into the
water is ___, ___, and ___! - ✔✔Reach, Throw, Row and Go!
✔✔If you capsize, immediately swim to shore to ensure your safety.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔What are four things you should do if a fire erupts on your boat while underway? -
✔✔I) Stop the vessel and put on a PFD
II) Keep fire downwind
III) Shut off fuel supply
IV) Aim extinguisher at base of flames
✔✔The condition called ___ occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce
it. - ✔✔Hyptohermia
✔✔The primary danger that occurs immediately upon being immersed in cold water is
___. - ✔✔Involuntary gasping, resulting in water inhalation and drowning
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔In order for a PFD to be legal, it must be ___-approved, in ___ condition, and ___
accessible. - ✔✔U.S. Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and
readily accessible
✔✔Name the five types of PFDs. - ✔✔I) Offshore life Jacket
II) Near-shore Vest
III) Flotation aid
IV) Throwable device
V) Special-use device
✔✔These Type ___ PFDs are ___ devices, and most states require at least one of
these to be on board vessels 16 feet in length or longer. - ✔✔Type IV PFDs are
throwable devices
✔✔PWC operations, no matter what age, must wear an approved ___ whenever
underway. - ✔✔Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
✔✔Fire extinguishers should be placed in an area that is ___ and not near the ___. -
✔✔Accessible and not near the engine
✔✔It is recommended that you wait at least ___ minutes after turning on your vessel's
blower (if so equipped) and before starting your engine. - ✔✔Four
✔✔For an 18-foot-powerboat, required navigation lights include a red light on the ___, a
green light on the ___, and ___. - ✔✔Red light on the port (left), a green light on the
starboard (right), and a white light
✔✔A 16-foot canoe away from dock after dark must have on hand at least a ___ or ___.
- ✔✔Flashlight or lantern
✔✔Name two visual distress signals (VDSs) for use at night. - ✔✔I) Red flares
II) Red meteors
III) Electric Light
✔✔Describe the appearance of a divers flag. - ✔✔Red flag with white diagonal stripe
✔✔If an observer is on board when pulling a skier behind a vessel, the vessel should be
rated to carry at least ___ people. - ✔✔Three
✔✔Water-skier(s) may be towed at night with proper lighting.
, True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔It is illegal to discharge ___, ___, or ___ into federally controlled or state waters. -
✔✔Waste, oil, or trash
✔✔You must report on any accident you are in if it results in ___, ___, or ___. -
✔✔Death, serious injury, or significant property damage
✔✔In a typical boating fatality, life jackets are ___ but are not ___. - ✔✔On the boat but
are not being worn
✔✔Name three boating stressors that make you tire more rapidly when on the water. -
✔✔I) Glare and heat of the sun
II) Motion
III) Noise and Vibration of the Engine
✔✔To prevent dehydration while on the water, you should drink some water at least
___. - ✔✔Every 15-20 minutes
✔✔One-___ of the amount of alcohol that makes a person legally intoxicated on land
can be enough to make someone equally intoxicated when on the water. - ✔✔Third
✔✔___ is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. - ✔✔Alcohol
✔✔An easy way to remember priorities for rescuing someone who has fallen into the
water is ___, ___, and ___! - ✔✔Reach, Throw, Row and Go!
✔✔If you capsize, immediately swim to shore to ensure your safety.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔What are four things you should do if a fire erupts on your boat while underway? -
✔✔I) Stop the vessel and put on a PFD
II) Keep fire downwind
III) Shut off fuel supply
IV) Aim extinguisher at base of flames
✔✔The condition called ___ occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce
it. - ✔✔Hyptohermia
✔✔The primary danger that occurs immediately upon being immersed in cold water is
___. - ✔✔Involuntary gasping, resulting in water inhalation and drowning
