CALIFORNIA BOATING EXAM FINAL PAPER QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔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
✔✔What do you need to know when passing under a river bridge? - ✔✔clearance
height under the bridge
✔✔What is a recommended water-skiing safety practice? - ✔✔holding up a ski after
falling
✔✔Which of the following can help detect a carbon monoxide build up? - ✔✔a carbon
monoxide detector
✔✔An engine cut-off lanyard helps to reduce the risk of what? - ✔✔striking a person in
the water with a propeller
✔✔When hunting from a boat, what is the best way to maintain the boat's stability? -
✔✔keep body weight low with gear distributed evenly
✔✔What is characteristic of low head dams? - ✔✔they pose hazards both above and
below dams
✔✔General Exam
What is a requirement for fire extinguishers on a boat? - ✔✔must be coast guard
approved
✔✔Which class of fire extinguisher should be onboard a vessel with a permanently
installed fuel tank? - ✔✔class B
✔✔Which of the following is a good technique when using a fire extinguisher? -
✔✔direct the extinguisher at the base fo the flames using a sweeping motion
AND SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔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
✔✔What do you need to know when passing under a river bridge? - ✔✔clearance
height under the bridge
✔✔What is a recommended water-skiing safety practice? - ✔✔holding up a ski after
falling
✔✔Which of the following can help detect a carbon monoxide build up? - ✔✔a carbon
monoxide detector
✔✔An engine cut-off lanyard helps to reduce the risk of what? - ✔✔striking a person in
the water with a propeller
✔✔When hunting from a boat, what is the best way to maintain the boat's stability? -
✔✔keep body weight low with gear distributed evenly
✔✔What is characteristic of low head dams? - ✔✔they pose hazards both above and
below dams
✔✔General Exam
What is a requirement for fire extinguishers on a boat? - ✔✔must be coast guard
approved
✔✔Which class of fire extinguisher should be onboard a vessel with a permanently
installed fuel tank? - ✔✔class B
✔✔Which of the following is a good technique when using a fire extinguisher? -
✔✔direct the extinguisher at the base fo the flames using a sweeping motion
