MARYLAND BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age to operate a motorized vessel (over 11 feet)
alone in Maryland?
a) 10
b) 16
c) 12
d) 18
A person must be at least 16 years old to legally operate a motorized
vessel over 11 feet without supervision in Maryland.
2. What equipment is required for each person on board a recreational
vessel?
,a) Whistle
b) Throwable PFD
c) Wearable USCG-approved life jacket
d) Fire extinguisher
A properly fitted, wearable life jacket (PFD) is required for each person
onboard.
3. When is a child under 13 required to wear a life jacket in Maryland?
a) Only while swimming
b) Only when requested by an adult
c) While on a moving vessel under 21 feet
d) Only in rough water
Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway
on a vessel less than 21 feet long.
4. Which of the following is a legal requirement for operating a personal
watercraft (PWC) in Maryland?
a) Operator must be 12
b) No passengers allowed
c) Must wear a life jacket at all times
d) Must operate only during daylight hours
, PWC operators and passengers must wear life jackets at all times.
5. What is the primary purpose of the Navigation Rules?
a) Increase speed
b) Prevent collisions
c) Avoid shallow water
d) Allow towing
Navigation Rules help boaters avoid collisions by outlining conduct on the
water.
6. What does a red buoy indicate?
a) Keep to the right when returning
b) Safe water
c) Obstruction
d) Shallow area
Red buoys are part of the "Red, Right, Returning" system, marking the
right side when heading upstream.
7. Which side is a green can buoy found on when returning from sea?
a) Starboard
b) Port
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age to operate a motorized vessel (over 11 feet)
alone in Maryland?
a) 10
b) 16
c) 12
d) 18
A person must be at least 16 years old to legally operate a motorized
vessel over 11 feet without supervision in Maryland.
2. What equipment is required for each person on board a recreational
vessel?
,a) Whistle
b) Throwable PFD
c) Wearable USCG-approved life jacket
d) Fire extinguisher
A properly fitted, wearable life jacket (PFD) is required for each person
onboard.
3. When is a child under 13 required to wear a life jacket in Maryland?
a) Only while swimming
b) Only when requested by an adult
c) While on a moving vessel under 21 feet
d) Only in rough water
Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway
on a vessel less than 21 feet long.
4. Which of the following is a legal requirement for operating a personal
watercraft (PWC) in Maryland?
a) Operator must be 12
b) No passengers allowed
c) Must wear a life jacket at all times
d) Must operate only during daylight hours
, PWC operators and passengers must wear life jackets at all times.
5. What is the primary purpose of the Navigation Rules?
a) Increase speed
b) Prevent collisions
c) Avoid shallow water
d) Allow towing
Navigation Rules help boaters avoid collisions by outlining conduct on the
water.
6. What does a red buoy indicate?
a) Keep to the right when returning
b) Safe water
c) Obstruction
d) Shallow area
Red buoys are part of the "Red, Right, Returning" system, marking the
right side when heading upstream.
7. Which side is a green can buoy found on when returning from sea?
a) Starboard
b) Port
