CALIFORNIA BOATING 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SURE A+
✔✔You see a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering. What
does this marker tell you?
mooring area
keep out
PWCs only
good fishing area - ✔✔keep out
✔✔What is needed for steering control on a PWC?
an outboard motor
an adjustable propeller
a passenger in front of the operator
power to the jet drive - ✔✔power to the jet drive
✔✔Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?
drive shaft
ignition safety switch
pump intake area
rudder control - ✔✔pump intake area
✔✔If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the FIRST thing you must do?
go for a law enforcement officer or other help
stop and make a thorough assessment of all property damage
stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident
set off flares or other visual distress signals - ✔✔stop and assist anyone injured or in
danger from the accident
✔✔Which vessel requires that the operator be at least 14 years of age to operate on
Washington waters?
sailboat
personal watercraft (PWC)
boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or less
canoe - ✔✔personal watercraft (PWC)
✔✔Under Washington law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration, present in a
vessel operator, is considered to be boat operation under the influence (BUI)?
0.10%
, 0.08%
0.06%
0.04% - ✔✔0.08%
✔✔When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?
at all times
when moored at a dock or pier
when away from the dock during the day
during periods of restricted visibility - ✔✔during periods of restricted visibility
✔✔By law, what age children must wear a USCG-approved life jacket when underway
on the open deck of a vessel less than 19 feet in length?
12 years old and younger
12 years old and older
7 years old and younger
7 years old and older - ✔✔12 years old and younger
✔✔What must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers
whenever a vessel is operated?
float plan
Bill of Sale
trailer license
registration information - ✔✔registration information
✔✔According to Washington law, during what hours is it legal to operate a personal
watercraft?
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
sunrise to sunset
after dark
6 a.m. to noon - ✔✔sunrise to sunset
✔✔When a vessel is towing a skier, what are the legal requirements for observing that
skier?
A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the operator.
A capable observer must watch from shore or a nearby vessel.
A capable observer must be on board only if the skier is not wearing a life jacket.
A capable observer must be on board only if the operator and/or skier are under the age
of 18. - ✔✔A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the
operator.
SURE A+
✔✔You see a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering. What
does this marker tell you?
mooring area
keep out
PWCs only
good fishing area - ✔✔keep out
✔✔What is needed for steering control on a PWC?
an outboard motor
an adjustable propeller
a passenger in front of the operator
power to the jet drive - ✔✔power to the jet drive
✔✔Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?
drive shaft
ignition safety switch
pump intake area
rudder control - ✔✔pump intake area
✔✔If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the FIRST thing you must do?
go for a law enforcement officer or other help
stop and make a thorough assessment of all property damage
stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident
set off flares or other visual distress signals - ✔✔stop and assist anyone injured or in
danger from the accident
✔✔Which vessel requires that the operator be at least 14 years of age to operate on
Washington waters?
sailboat
personal watercraft (PWC)
boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or less
canoe - ✔✔personal watercraft (PWC)
✔✔Under Washington law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration, present in a
vessel operator, is considered to be boat operation under the influence (BUI)?
0.10%
, 0.08%
0.06%
0.04% - ✔✔0.08%
✔✔When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?
at all times
when moored at a dock or pier
when away from the dock during the day
during periods of restricted visibility - ✔✔during periods of restricted visibility
✔✔By law, what age children must wear a USCG-approved life jacket when underway
on the open deck of a vessel less than 19 feet in length?
12 years old and younger
12 years old and older
7 years old and younger
7 years old and older - ✔✔12 years old and younger
✔✔What must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers
whenever a vessel is operated?
float plan
Bill of Sale
trailer license
registration information - ✔✔registration information
✔✔According to Washington law, during what hours is it legal to operate a personal
watercraft?
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
sunrise to sunset
after dark
6 a.m. to noon - ✔✔sunrise to sunset
✔✔When a vessel is towing a skier, what are the legal requirements for observing that
skier?
A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the operator.
A capable observer must watch from shore or a nearby vessel.
A capable observer must be on board only if the skier is not wearing a life jacket.
A capable observer must be on board only if the operator and/or skier are under the age
of 18. - ✔✔A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the
operator.
