BoatUS Foundation Online Boating
Safety Exam QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the main purpose of the navigation rules on the water?
A. To restrict boating hours
B. To prevent collisions between vessels
C. To determine boating licenses
D. To enforce state fishing laws
Navigation rules exist primarily to prevent collisions by setting clear
expectations for vessel behavior.
2. What does a red buoy indicate when returning from open water?
A. Safe water
B. Right side of the channel
C. Danger zone
D. Left side of the channel
, Red buoys mark the starboard (right) side when returning from open
water, following the “red, right, returning” rule.
3. When is a boat operator required to assist another vessel?
A. Only if they are towing
B. Whenever it is safe and practical to do so
C. Only if asked by the Coast Guard
D. Never; wait for authorities
Federal law requires boaters to render assistance to others in distress
if it’s safe to do so.
4. What is the primary cause of boating fatalities?
A. Cold water shock
B. Falling overboard and drowning
C. Collision with another vessel
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Drowning after falling overboard is the leading cause of boating
fatalities, especially among non-life-jacket wearers.
5. What must you do when you see a diver-down flag?
A. Increase speed
B. Stay at least 100–200 feet away
C. Anchor your boat
D. Turn off your engine
You must stay a safe distance—typically 100–200 feet depending on
local laws—from dive flags.
,6. When should a life jacket be replaced?
A. Every 10 years
B. When it gets wet
C. If it is damaged or no longer fits properly
D. After every use
Life jackets must be in good condition and properly fitting; damaged
or ill-fitting ones should be replaced.
7. What should you do before fueling your boat?
A. Open all windows
B. Turn off engine only
C. Shut off all engines and electrical equipment
D. Leave the engine running to cool
Engines and electrical systems should be shut off before fueling to
avoid sparks or explosions.
8. What is the best way to avoid overloading your boat?
A. Balance the gear
B. Check the capacity plate
C. Don’t exceed engine horsepower
D. Fill the tank halfway
The capacity plate lists the maximum weight and number of
passengers your boat can safely carry.
9. What type of fire extinguisher must be on board a powerboat?
A. Type D
, B. Type A only
C. Type B
D. Type C only
Boats must carry Type B fire extinguishers for flammable liquids such
as gasoline.
10. When two powerboats approach head-on, what should they do?
A. Both stop
B. Both alter course to starboard (right)
C. One reverses, the other speeds up
D. Wait for the larger vessel to pass
Head-on encounters require both boats to turn right to avoid
collision.
11. A vessel is overtaking another vessel. Who is the stand-on
vessel?
A. The vessel being overtaken
B. The overtaking vessel
C. The faster vessel
D. Neither
The vessel being overtaken always has the right of way and is the
stand-on vessel.
12. What does a flashing white light on a buoy mean?
A. Shoal area
B. No wake zone
Safety Exam QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the main purpose of the navigation rules on the water?
A. To restrict boating hours
B. To prevent collisions between vessels
C. To determine boating licenses
D. To enforce state fishing laws
Navigation rules exist primarily to prevent collisions by setting clear
expectations for vessel behavior.
2. What does a red buoy indicate when returning from open water?
A. Safe water
B. Right side of the channel
C. Danger zone
D. Left side of the channel
, Red buoys mark the starboard (right) side when returning from open
water, following the “red, right, returning” rule.
3. When is a boat operator required to assist another vessel?
A. Only if they are towing
B. Whenever it is safe and practical to do so
C. Only if asked by the Coast Guard
D. Never; wait for authorities
Federal law requires boaters to render assistance to others in distress
if it’s safe to do so.
4. What is the primary cause of boating fatalities?
A. Cold water shock
B. Falling overboard and drowning
C. Collision with another vessel
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Drowning after falling overboard is the leading cause of boating
fatalities, especially among non-life-jacket wearers.
5. What must you do when you see a diver-down flag?
A. Increase speed
B. Stay at least 100–200 feet away
C. Anchor your boat
D. Turn off your engine
You must stay a safe distance—typically 100–200 feet depending on
local laws—from dive flags.
,6. When should a life jacket be replaced?
A. Every 10 years
B. When it gets wet
C. If it is damaged or no longer fits properly
D. After every use
Life jackets must be in good condition and properly fitting; damaged
or ill-fitting ones should be replaced.
7. What should you do before fueling your boat?
A. Open all windows
B. Turn off engine only
C. Shut off all engines and electrical equipment
D. Leave the engine running to cool
Engines and electrical systems should be shut off before fueling to
avoid sparks or explosions.
8. What is the best way to avoid overloading your boat?
A. Balance the gear
B. Check the capacity plate
C. Don’t exceed engine horsepower
D. Fill the tank halfway
The capacity plate lists the maximum weight and number of
passengers your boat can safely carry.
9. What type of fire extinguisher must be on board a powerboat?
A. Type D
, B. Type A only
C. Type B
D. Type C only
Boats must carry Type B fire extinguishers for flammable liquids such
as gasoline.
10. When two powerboats approach head-on, what should they do?
A. Both stop
B. Both alter course to starboard (right)
C. One reverses, the other speeds up
D. Wait for the larger vessel to pass
Head-on encounters require both boats to turn right to avoid
collision.
11. A vessel is overtaking another vessel. Who is the stand-on
vessel?
A. The vessel being overtaken
B. The overtaking vessel
C. The faster vessel
D. Neither
The vessel being overtaken always has the right of way and is the
stand-on vessel.
12. What does a flashing white light on a buoy mean?
A. Shoal area
B. No wake zone
