MARYLAND BOATING LATEST 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Two strong safety chains should be ___ to support the trailer's coupler in case it
becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. - ✔✔Crisscrossed
✔✔Where should you prepare your vessel before launching it from the trailer? - ✔✔Well
away from the boat ramp
✔✔Name three engine maintenance tips. - ✔✔I) Keep well tuned
II) Check oil levels
III) Change oil
IV) Check batteries
V) Grease and lubricate
VI) Check for anything loose
✔✔If the wind or current direction is toward the dock, you should cast off the ___ first
when leaving the dock. - ✔✔Stern Line
✔✔The ___ is required to take early and substantial action to avoid a collision by
stopping, slowing down, or changing course. - ✔✔Give-way Vessel
✔✔The stand-on vessel must ___ unless ___. - ✔✔Maintain its course of speed unless
it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
✔✔If you are driving a powerboat or PWC and meet another powerboat or PWC head-
on, you should keep to the ___. - ✔✔Right
✔✔If you are overtaking another vessel, you are the stand-on vessel.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔If you see a red and a white light ahead when boating at night, you should maintain
course and speed.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔If you see only a green light while boating at night, you may be approaching a ___
and you must ___. - ✔✔Sailing vessel and you must give way
✔✔___ are the "traffic signals" that guide boaters safely along their course. - ✔✔Buoys
and markers
✔✔The phrase "R___ R___ R___" reminds vessels of the correct course in the lateral
system of U.S. Aids to Navigation. - ✔✔Red Right Returning
, ✔✔A green can buoy marks the edge of the channel on a boater's ___ side when
entering from the open sea or heading upstream. - ✔✔Left
✔✔The regulatory marker indicates ___. - ✔✔Danger
✔✔The regulatory marker indicates areas that are ___ to vessels. - ✔✔Off-limits
✔✔A good rule of thumb is that the anchor line should be at least ___ times the depth of
the water. - ✔✔7-10
✔✔You should never anchor from the ___ of the vessel as that can make the vessel
unstable. - ✔✔Stern
✔✔To maintain steering control of a PWC, you must never allow the engine to ___ or
___. - ✔✔Return to idle or shut off
✔✔The most common complaints boaters have against PWC operators are ___ and
___. - ✔✔Wake jumping and riding too close
✔✔As a courtesy to other boaters and people on shore, PWC operators should ___ the
operating area. - ✔✔Vary
✔✔Name a safety device that shuts the engine off if the operator is thrown from the
proper operating position. - ✔✔Emergency Ignition Safety Switch
✔✔To avoid propeller strike accidents, make sure ___ when passengers are boarding
or disembarking a boat. - ✔✔The engine is shut off
✔✔The ___ is a number assigned and imprinted by the vessel manufacturer and is
unique to your vessel. - ✔✔Hull Identification Number
✔✔Allowing passengers to ride on the ___ or ___while underway is reckless operation.
- ✔✔Bow or gunwale
✔✔If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit, it is illegal to ___ a
vessel. - ✔✔Operate
✔✔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
AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Two strong safety chains should be ___ to support the trailer's coupler in case it
becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. - ✔✔Crisscrossed
✔✔Where should you prepare your vessel before launching it from the trailer? - ✔✔Well
away from the boat ramp
✔✔Name three engine maintenance tips. - ✔✔I) Keep well tuned
II) Check oil levels
III) Change oil
IV) Check batteries
V) Grease and lubricate
VI) Check for anything loose
✔✔If the wind or current direction is toward the dock, you should cast off the ___ first
when leaving the dock. - ✔✔Stern Line
✔✔The ___ is required to take early and substantial action to avoid a collision by
stopping, slowing down, or changing course. - ✔✔Give-way Vessel
✔✔The stand-on vessel must ___ unless ___. - ✔✔Maintain its course of speed unless
it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
✔✔If you are driving a powerboat or PWC and meet another powerboat or PWC head-
on, you should keep to the ___. - ✔✔Right
✔✔If you are overtaking another vessel, you are the stand-on vessel.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔If you see a red and a white light ahead when boating at night, you should maintain
course and speed.
True / False - ✔✔False
✔✔If you see only a green light while boating at night, you may be approaching a ___
and you must ___. - ✔✔Sailing vessel and you must give way
✔✔___ are the "traffic signals" that guide boaters safely along their course. - ✔✔Buoys
and markers
✔✔The phrase "R___ R___ R___" reminds vessels of the correct course in the lateral
system of U.S. Aids to Navigation. - ✔✔Red Right Returning
, ✔✔A green can buoy marks the edge of the channel on a boater's ___ side when
entering from the open sea or heading upstream. - ✔✔Left
✔✔The regulatory marker indicates ___. - ✔✔Danger
✔✔The regulatory marker indicates areas that are ___ to vessels. - ✔✔Off-limits
✔✔A good rule of thumb is that the anchor line should be at least ___ times the depth of
the water. - ✔✔7-10
✔✔You should never anchor from the ___ of the vessel as that can make the vessel
unstable. - ✔✔Stern
✔✔To maintain steering control of a PWC, you must never allow the engine to ___ or
___. - ✔✔Return to idle or shut off
✔✔The most common complaints boaters have against PWC operators are ___ and
___. - ✔✔Wake jumping and riding too close
✔✔As a courtesy to other boaters and people on shore, PWC operators should ___ the
operating area. - ✔✔Vary
✔✔Name a safety device that shuts the engine off if the operator is thrown from the
proper operating position. - ✔✔Emergency Ignition Safety Switch
✔✔To avoid propeller strike accidents, make sure ___ when passengers are boarding
or disembarking a boat. - ✔✔The engine is shut off
✔✔The ___ is a number assigned and imprinted by the vessel manufacturer and is
unique to your vessel. - ✔✔Hull Identification Number
✔✔Allowing passengers to ride on the ___ or ___while underway is reckless operation.
- ✔✔Bow or gunwale
✔✔If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit, it is illegal to ___ a
vessel. - ✔✔Operate
✔✔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
