CALIFORNIA BOATING FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Under California law, every person under what age must wear a Coast Guard-approved life
jacket while a vessel is underway?
A. 13 years of age or younger
B. 12 years of age or younger
C. 10 years of age or younger
D. 16 years of age or younger
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires all children under 13 years of age to
wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving vessel of any length, with
certain exceptions for enclosed cabins.
2. When is a person considered to be operating a vessel ‘Under the Influence’ (BUI) in
California if they are 21 years of age or older?
A. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher
B. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.05% or higher
,C. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.10% or higher
D. If they have consumed any amount of alcohol within 2 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For operators 21 years or older, the legal limit for blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) while operating a vessel is 0.08%, the same as for driving a car.
3. Which of the following is a legal requirement for the observer when towing a person on
water skis or a similar device?
A. The observer must be at least 18 years old
B. The observer must be at least 16 years old
C. The observer must be the vessel owner
D. The observer must be at least 12 years old
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires a person at least 12 years of age to act as
an observer to watch the person being towed and communicate their needs to the operator.
4. What does a regulatory marker with a diamond shape containing a cross indicate?
A. Boats keep out
B. Controlled area (e.g., speed limit)
C. Danger or obstructions
, D. General information or directions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An orange diamond with a cross inside on a white marker
indicates a ‘Boats Keep Out’ area, such as a swim area or waterfall.
5. When operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC), what is the most important thing to
remember regarding steering control?
A. You can steer more effectively at low speeds
B. The rudder will guide the PWC even without power
C. PWC steering is independent of the jet pump
D. You lose steering control when the engine is shut off or at idle
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PWC utilize jet thrust for steering; if the engine is stopped or the
throttle is released, there is no thrust and thus no ability to steer the craft.
6. A power-driven vessel is meeting a sailing vessel head-on. Which vessel is the stand-on
vessel?
A. The power-driven vessel
B. The vessel that is larger
C. Neither; they both must turn to port
D. The sailing vessel
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Under California law, every person under what age must wear a Coast Guard-approved life
jacket while a vessel is underway?
A. 13 years of age or younger
B. 12 years of age or younger
C. 10 years of age or younger
D. 16 years of age or younger
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires all children under 13 years of age to
wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving vessel of any length, with
certain exceptions for enclosed cabins.
2. When is a person considered to be operating a vessel ‘Under the Influence’ (BUI) in
California if they are 21 years of age or older?
A. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher
B. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.05% or higher
,C. If their blood alcohol concentration is 0.10% or higher
D. If they have consumed any amount of alcohol within 2 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For operators 21 years or older, the legal limit for blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) while operating a vessel is 0.08%, the same as for driving a car.
3. Which of the following is a legal requirement for the observer when towing a person on
water skis or a similar device?
A. The observer must be at least 18 years old
B. The observer must be at least 16 years old
C. The observer must be the vessel owner
D. The observer must be at least 12 years old
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires a person at least 12 years of age to act as
an observer to watch the person being towed and communicate their needs to the operator.
4. What does a regulatory marker with a diamond shape containing a cross indicate?
A. Boats keep out
B. Controlled area (e.g., speed limit)
C. Danger or obstructions
, D. General information or directions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An orange diamond with a cross inside on a white marker
indicates a ‘Boats Keep Out’ area, such as a swim area or waterfall.
5. When operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC), what is the most important thing to
remember regarding steering control?
A. You can steer more effectively at low speeds
B. The rudder will guide the PWC even without power
C. PWC steering is independent of the jet pump
D. You lose steering control when the engine is shut off or at idle
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PWC utilize jet thrust for steering; if the engine is stopped or the
throttle is released, there is no thrust and thus no ability to steer the craft.
6. A power-driven vessel is meeting a sailing vessel head-on. Which vessel is the stand-on
vessel?
A. The power-driven vessel
B. The vessel that is larger
C. Neither; they both must turn to port
D. The sailing vessel
