New Jersey Boating Navigation
Practice Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
When operating a recreational vessel, what is the primary purpose of
maintaining a proper lookout?
A. To determine the boat's fuel consumption
B. To identify fishing areas
C. To detect hazards and assess collision risk
D. To determine the depth of the water
Answer: C. To detect hazards and assess collision risk
Rationale: A proper lookout is essential for detecting other vessels,
floating objects, navigational hazards, changes in weather, and other
conditions that may create a risk of collision. A lookout should use
sight, hearing, and all appropriate available means.
2.
Under the Navigation Rules, which vessel generally must keep out of the
way when two power-driven vessels are crossing and there is a risk of
collision?
A. The vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side
B. The vessel that is traveling faster
,C. The larger vessel
D. The vessel that is farther from shore
Answer: A. The vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side
Rationale: In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels,
the vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side is the give-way
vessel. It should take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
3.
What color light is normally displayed on the port side of a vessel?
A. White
B. Green
C. Yellow
D. Red
Answer: D. Red
Rationale: The port side of a vessel is identified by a red sidelight. The
starboard side is identified by a green sidelight. Remembering “red,
right, returning” can help with buoyage, while the vessel's port
sidelight remains red.
4.
What color light is normally displayed on the starboard side of a power-
driven vessel?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Yellow
D. White
Answer: B. Green
,Rationale: A green sidelight is displayed on the starboard side of a
vessel. A red sidelight is displayed on the port side. These lights help
another vessel determine the direction in which a vessel is heading at
night.
5.
What is the meaning of a vessel's sternlight?
A. It identifies the vessel's port side
B. It indicates that the vessel is anchored
C. It is a white light visible over an appropriate arc from the rear
D. It indicates that the vessel is not under command
Answer: C. It is a white light visible over an appropriate arc from
the rear
Rationale: A sternlight is a white light placed toward the stern and
intended to show over the prescribed arc. Seeing a sternlight generally
means you are viewing the vessel from behind or nearly behind.
6.
What is the principal purpose of navigation lights?
A. To illuminate the entire deck
B. To help vessels determine another vessel's direction and status at
night or in restricted visibility
C. To indicate the vessel's fuel level
D. To signal the operator's destination
Answer: B. To help vessels determine another vessel's direction and
status at night or in restricted visibility
Rationale: Navigation lights communicate important information
about a vessel's orientation, propulsion, and sometimes its activity or
, condition. They are particularly important from sunset to sunrise and
during restricted visibility.
7.
If you see a vessel's red and green sidelights and no sternlight, what does
this generally indicate?
A. You are approaching the vessel from ahead
B. The vessel is anchored
C. The vessel is being towed
D. The vessel is aground
Answer: A. You are approaching the vessel from ahead
Rationale: Seeing both sidelights indicates that you are viewing the
forward aspect of a vessel. The red light is on its port side and the
green light is on its starboard side.
8.
If you see only a white sternlight from another vessel, what does this
normally indicate?
A. The vessel is approaching you head-on
B. The vessel is crossing from your starboard side
C. You are viewing the vessel from behind
D. The vessel is not under command
Answer: C. You are viewing the vessel from behind
Rationale: A sternlight is intended to be seen from the rear sector of a
vessel. Seeing only the sternlight generally means the vessel is moving
away from you or you are otherwise positioned aft of its beam.
9.
What does a green sidelight tell you about the vessel displaying it?
Practice Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
When operating a recreational vessel, what is the primary purpose of
maintaining a proper lookout?
A. To determine the boat's fuel consumption
B. To identify fishing areas
C. To detect hazards and assess collision risk
D. To determine the depth of the water
Answer: C. To detect hazards and assess collision risk
Rationale: A proper lookout is essential for detecting other vessels,
floating objects, navigational hazards, changes in weather, and other
conditions that may create a risk of collision. A lookout should use
sight, hearing, and all appropriate available means.
2.
Under the Navigation Rules, which vessel generally must keep out of the
way when two power-driven vessels are crossing and there is a risk of
collision?
A. The vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side
B. The vessel that is traveling faster
,C. The larger vessel
D. The vessel that is farther from shore
Answer: A. The vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side
Rationale: In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels,
the vessel that has the other vessel on its starboard side is the give-way
vessel. It should take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
3.
What color light is normally displayed on the port side of a vessel?
A. White
B. Green
C. Yellow
D. Red
Answer: D. Red
Rationale: The port side of a vessel is identified by a red sidelight. The
starboard side is identified by a green sidelight. Remembering “red,
right, returning” can help with buoyage, while the vessel's port
sidelight remains red.
4.
What color light is normally displayed on the starboard side of a power-
driven vessel?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Yellow
D. White
Answer: B. Green
,Rationale: A green sidelight is displayed on the starboard side of a
vessel. A red sidelight is displayed on the port side. These lights help
another vessel determine the direction in which a vessel is heading at
night.
5.
What is the meaning of a vessel's sternlight?
A. It identifies the vessel's port side
B. It indicates that the vessel is anchored
C. It is a white light visible over an appropriate arc from the rear
D. It indicates that the vessel is not under command
Answer: C. It is a white light visible over an appropriate arc from
the rear
Rationale: A sternlight is a white light placed toward the stern and
intended to show over the prescribed arc. Seeing a sternlight generally
means you are viewing the vessel from behind or nearly behind.
6.
What is the principal purpose of navigation lights?
A. To illuminate the entire deck
B. To help vessels determine another vessel's direction and status at
night or in restricted visibility
C. To indicate the vessel's fuel level
D. To signal the operator's destination
Answer: B. To help vessels determine another vessel's direction and
status at night or in restricted visibility
Rationale: Navigation lights communicate important information
about a vessel's orientation, propulsion, and sometimes its activity or
, condition. They are particularly important from sunset to sunrise and
during restricted visibility.
7.
If you see a vessel's red and green sidelights and no sternlight, what does
this generally indicate?
A. You are approaching the vessel from ahead
B. The vessel is anchored
C. The vessel is being towed
D. The vessel is aground
Answer: A. You are approaching the vessel from ahead
Rationale: Seeing both sidelights indicates that you are viewing the
forward aspect of a vessel. The red light is on its port side and the
green light is on its starboard side.
8.
If you see only a white sternlight from another vessel, what does this
normally indicate?
A. The vessel is approaching you head-on
B. The vessel is crossing from your starboard side
C. You are viewing the vessel from behind
D. The vessel is not under command
Answer: C. You are viewing the vessel from behind
Rationale: A sternlight is intended to be seen from the rear sector of a
vessel. Seeing only the sternlight generally means the vessel is moving
away from you or you are otherwise positioned aft of its beam.
9.
What does a green sidelight tell you about the vessel displaying it?
