CALIFORNIA BOATING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔Which of the following actions is the best to take when fueling an outboard boat with
a portable tank? - ✔✔place the tank on the dock or on shore to fill it
✔✔Why must you operate the exhaust blower before starting a boat's inboard gasoline
engine? - ✔✔to remove fuel vapors
✔✔Lesson 4
Which of the following will increase the effects of alcohol and drugs when boating? -
✔✔vibration
✔✔Who has the primary responsibility for the safety of all persons aboard a recreational
boat? - ✔✔boat operator
✔✔When operating a boat near other boats or when entering a congested area, why
should you watch your wake? - ✔✔it may cause personal injury or damage
✔✔When are you allowed to depart from the United States Coast Guard Navigation
Rules? - ✔✔when it is necessary to avoid a collision
✔✔What does a regulatory buoy with a diamond symbol indicate? - ✔✔danger
✔✔When returning from sea, a green navigational buoy should be passed in what
manner? - ✔✔always kept on the port side
✔✔For most anchoring situations, which is the best type of anchor line? - ✔✔three-
strand nylon
✔✔Which of the following is designated as a mooring buoy? - ✔✔white buoy with
horizontal blue stripe
✔✔The state of visibility should be a determining factor when deciding what? - ✔✔a
safe operating speed
✔✔According to the Navigation Rules, which of the following is true? - ✔✔overtaking
boats are give-way boats
✔✔Lesson 5
, What is a major cause of fatalities involving small boats? - ✔✔falling overboard and
drowning
✔✔What should you do first when a vessel capsizes? - ✔✔take a head count and
ensure all are wearing life jackets
✔✔What type of Boating Emergency causes the most fatalities? - ✔✔capsizing
✔✔When someone falls overboard, what action should the skipper take? - ✔✔get
flotation to the person and assign a spotter
✔✔What is the term for the depth of the water needed to float a boat clear of the
bottom? - ✔✔draft
✔✔Which of the following is a Coast Guard requirement for fire extinguishers? -
✔✔must be maintained in a fully charged usable condition
✔✔Which "class" of fires consists of flammable liquids including stove alcohol, gasoline
and diesel? - ✔✔class B
✔✔What is a requirement for fire extinguishers on a boat? - ✔✔must be coast guard
approved
✔✔The danger of hypothermia is greatest for a person in which situation? -
✔✔immersed in cold water
✔✔What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hypothermia? -
✔✔get immediate medical attention
✔✔Lesson 6
The blue and white "Alfa" flag signifies what? - ✔✔a dive boat that is restricted in its
ability to maneuver
✔✔What must be visible to law enforcement personnel while operating a PWC? -
✔✔registration numbers
✔✔What is the leading cause of PWC accidents? - ✔✔striking an object
✔✔What action may cause the loss of steering ability in a PWC? - ✔✔letting off the
throttle control
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔Which of the following actions is the best to take when fueling an outboard boat with
a portable tank? - ✔✔place the tank on the dock or on shore to fill it
✔✔Why must you operate the exhaust blower before starting a boat's inboard gasoline
engine? - ✔✔to remove fuel vapors
✔✔Lesson 4
Which of the following will increase the effects of alcohol and drugs when boating? -
✔✔vibration
✔✔Who has the primary responsibility for the safety of all persons aboard a recreational
boat? - ✔✔boat operator
✔✔When operating a boat near other boats or when entering a congested area, why
should you watch your wake? - ✔✔it may cause personal injury or damage
✔✔When are you allowed to depart from the United States Coast Guard Navigation
Rules? - ✔✔when it is necessary to avoid a collision
✔✔What does a regulatory buoy with a diamond symbol indicate? - ✔✔danger
✔✔When returning from sea, a green navigational buoy should be passed in what
manner? - ✔✔always kept on the port side
✔✔For most anchoring situations, which is the best type of anchor line? - ✔✔three-
strand nylon
✔✔Which of the following is designated as a mooring buoy? - ✔✔white buoy with
horizontal blue stripe
✔✔The state of visibility should be a determining factor when deciding what? - ✔✔a
safe operating speed
✔✔According to the Navigation Rules, which of the following is true? - ✔✔overtaking
boats are give-way boats
✔✔Lesson 5
, What is a major cause of fatalities involving small boats? - ✔✔falling overboard and
drowning
✔✔What should you do first when a vessel capsizes? - ✔✔take a head count and
ensure all are wearing life jackets
✔✔What type of Boating Emergency causes the most fatalities? - ✔✔capsizing
✔✔When someone falls overboard, what action should the skipper take? - ✔✔get
flotation to the person and assign a spotter
✔✔What is the term for the depth of the water needed to float a boat clear of the
bottom? - ✔✔draft
✔✔Which of the following is a Coast Guard requirement for fire extinguishers? -
✔✔must be maintained in a fully charged usable condition
✔✔Which "class" of fires consists of flammable liquids including stove alcohol, gasoline
and diesel? - ✔✔class B
✔✔What is a requirement for fire extinguishers on a boat? - ✔✔must be coast guard
approved
✔✔The danger of hypothermia is greatest for a person in which situation? -
✔✔immersed in cold water
✔✔What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hypothermia? -
✔✔get immediate medical attention
✔✔Lesson 6
The blue and white "Alfa" flag signifies what? - ✔✔a dive boat that is restricted in its
ability to maneuver
✔✔What must be visible to law enforcement personnel while operating a PWC? -
✔✔registration numbers
✔✔What is the leading cause of PWC accidents? - ✔✔striking an object
✔✔What action may cause the loss of steering ability in a PWC? - ✔✔letting off the
throttle control
