Comprehensive Alabama Boating
Manual- Approved And Accredited
What is the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft in Alabama without adult supervision?
14 years old
What should you do if you are involved in a boating accident?
Stop, provide assistance, and report the incident if required
When must a personal flotation device (PFD) be worn by all passengers on a boat?
When the boat is underway and not anchored
What action must you take if you see a diver-down flag?
Stay at least 100 feet away when boating
How far must you stay from the shore when operating a motorized boat in Alabama?
Maintain a safe distance, typically 100 feet or as regulated
What is the legal speed limit in Alabama’s “slow, no wake” zones?
Idle speed, or the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage
What is the purpose of the kill switch on a personal watercraft (PWC)?
To stop the engine if the operator falls off
What type of fire extinguisher is required on boats in Alabama?
A USCG-approved Type B-1 fire extinguisher
When is it mandatory to wear a life jacket on a boat in Alabama?
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When the boat is underway, and the operator or passengers are not in the cabin
What is the correct action if another boat is approaching head-on?
Steer to the right to avoid a collision
What does a red buoy indicate on the water?
The left side (port) of the channel when traveling upstream
What should you do when navigating in narrow or congested waterways?
Keep to the right side of the channel
How should you approach a dock when docking your boat?
Slowly, using the wind or current to help guide the boat
What is the minimum age for operating a motorized boat in Alabama without adult supervision?
14 years old
What action should you take if you are towing a skier or wakeboarder?
Ensure the person being towed is wearing a personal flotation device (PFD)
What should you do if your boat begins to take on water?
Use a bilge pump or bailing device to remove water
What does a green buoy indicate on Alabama waters?
The right side (starboard) of the channel when traveling upstream
What should you do if you see a flashing blue light while boating?
Yield to the law enforcement vessel and slow down
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What is the best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while boating?
Never allow people to swim near the back of the boat where the exhaust exits
What is required when boating at night in Alabama?
Proper navigation lights must be displayed
What should you do if you encounter fog while boating?
Slow down, turn on your navigation lights, and use sound signals every two minutes
What type of lighting is required when operating a boat at night?
Navigation lights, including a white stern light and red/green side lights
What action should you take if your boat capsizes?
Stay with the boat and signal for help
What should you do when operating a boat in a high-traffic area?
Reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from other vessels
What is required when towing a person on water skis or a wakeboard?
A spotter must be in the boat to observe the person being towed
What does a diver-down flag look like in Alabama?
A red flag with a white diagonal stripe
When should you check your boat’s fuel system?
Before each trip to ensure there are no leaks
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What is the best way to avoid propeller strikes when near swimmers?
Turn off the engine when near swimmers
What is the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for boat operators in Alabama?
0.08%
How should you handle a boat in strong winds?
Steer into the wind to maintain control and avoid drifting
What is the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft in Alabama?
14 years old
What should you do when approaching a “no wake” zone?
Slow to idle speed to avoid creating a wake
What is the best way to maintain stability while boating in rough water?
Keep weight distributed evenly and maintain a steady speed
What should you do if another boat is approaching from behind?
Maintain your course and speed, but be aware of their intentions
How far must you stay from a diver-down flag in Alabama?
At least 100 feet
What action should you take if you experience engine failure while out on the water?
Use an emergency radio or call for assistance
What is the purpose of the "slow speed, minimum wake" zone?
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To prevent damage to shorelines, vessels, and wildlife
What is the best way to prevent swamping your boat?
Avoid overloading the boat with passengers or gear
What should you do if you encounter another vessel head-on?
Steer to the right to avoid a collision
How should you store fuel on a boat?
In a vented, marine-approved container
What is required for all passengers on a boat in Alabama?
A personal flotation device (PFD)
What is the maximum speed allowed in a “slow speed, minimum wake” zone?
Idle speed
What is required when operating a motorboat in Alabama?
A boater education card for operators born after 1981
How far should you stay away from a dock when operating a boat?
At least 100 feet
What should you do if your boat is on fire?
Use an appropriate fire extinguisher, and if the fire cannot be controlled, abandon the vessel
What is the best way to prevent a collision when boating at night?
Maintain a safe speed and keep a lookout for navigation lights
What action should you take if you hit a submerged object?
Stop the engine and assess any damage
What should you do if you are operating your boat in an area with poor visibility?
Reduce speed and use sound signals
bow
starboard
stern
cleat
port
gunwale
hull
front of the vessel
right side of the vessel
rear of the vessel
metal fitting on which rope can be fastened
left side
upper edge of vesselsside
body of a vessel
Red and green sidelights
all-around white light
Types of boat hulls
located on front
located on back
displacement and planing
Displacement hulls
move through water with very little propulsion, round bodied hull
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Planing hull
Outboards
inboards
Stern Drives
Types of engines
Length classes
Jet Drives
rise and glide on top of the water, flat-bottomed, and vee-bottomed hull
have more power per pound of weight than do in inboard engines
have automatic engines adapted to operate in marine environment
combine inboard/outboard engine designs
Outboards, inboards, stern drives, and jet drives
Class A: Less then 16 ft, Class 1: 16-25 ft, Class 2: 26-39 ft, Class 3: 40-64 ft
Force jet of water out of back, used by personal watercraft
Personal Watercraft
Safety Lanyard
impeller
A small vessel with inboard jet drive less then 16 ft
Attaches ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist of life jacket
device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the
rear of the vessel
Boats capacity
Capacity Plate
Float Plan
overloading boats can result in swamping or capsizing
Indicates the max weight or number of people on board
Describes vessel, license plate of tow vehicle and trailer, passenger info, planned trip,
and emergency contacts
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Before fueling
close all openings and have passengers leave boat
While fueling
After fueling
don't fill to the brim
put cap on tightly, open all openings, turn on ventilation for at least 4 mins, sniff
engine for fuel vapors
Tongue weight
Before casting off
Amount of the loaded trailer's weight that presses down on the towing hitch
Keep boat tied to the dock while warming engine
Casting with wind towards the dock
Casting with wind away from the docks
Docking with wind towards dock
Docking with wind away from dock
Cast off stern line
Cast off the bow and stern line using an oar
Approach slowly parallel to dock
Approach at a sharp angle and secure stern line first
Two power driven vessels encountering head on
Path's that cross
Overtaking
Red sidelight
Green Sidelight
Vessel on left is giveway
Vessel overtaking is giveway
Left side
right side
Both turn to the starboard (right)
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If you see a green light and a white
If you see a red and white light
Only see green light
Only see red light
Give way
Give way
Your are the stand-on vessel
You must give way
Buoys and markers are the traffic signals that
Red colors, lights, and even numbers
guide vessel operations safely
Mark edge of channel of the channel on your starboard
(right) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream
Green colors, lights, and odd numbers
Mark edge of channel on your port (left) side as you enter
from the open sea or head upstream. Increase as you return from the open sea or head upstream
Non-lateral Markers
Navigation aid that gives info other then the edge of safe water areas. Include
regulatory markers with white, orange, and black.
Information Regulatory Markers
Danger Area Regulatory Markers
Controlled Area Regulatory Markers
Exclusion Area Regulatory Marker
Anchoring
Squares.Give directions and info
Diamonds. Warn if hazards and obstructions.
Circle. Mark controlled areas such as no wake
Crossed diamond. Mark closed areas
Never anchor from the stern as this can cause the boat to swamp
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You lose steering and control in a PWC when you
Wake
let the engine return to idle or shut off
Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water
Certificate of Number and decals
validation decal must be displayed.
Operating legally
Must be on board for inspection. Registration number and
Must be over the age of 12 (including PWC).
Operating distance from divers flag
Legal blood alcohol level
PFD
0.08%
100 feet
Personal Flotation must be US coast guard approved.
PFD type I
PFD Type II
PFD Type III
PFD Type IV
PFD Type V
Offshore life jacket
Near-shore Vests
Flotation aids. Used for water sports
Throw able devices/non wearable
Special use devices. Include windsurfing, and kayaking.
Fire Extinguisher type A
combustible solids like word
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Fire Extinguisher type B
For flammable liquids like gas or oil
Fire Extinguisher type C
Visual Distress Signals
distress signals.
Electrical fires
All vessels on federally controlled waters must be equipped with visual
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Content preview
Comprehensive Alabama Boating
Manual- Approved And Accredited
What is the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft in Alabama without adult supervision?
14 years old
What should you do if you are involved in a boating accident?
Stop, provide assistance, and report the incident if required
When must a personal flotation device (PFD) be worn by all passengers on a boat?
When the boat is underway and not anchored
What action must you take if you see a diver-down flag?
Stay at least 100 feet away when boating
How far must you stay from the shore when operating a motorized boat in Alabama?
Maintain a safe distance, typically 100 feet or as regulated
What is the legal speed limit in Alabama’s “slow, no wake” zones?
Idle speed, or the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage
What is the purpose of the kill switch on a personal watercraft (PWC)?
To stop the engine if the operator falls off
What type of fire extinguisher is required on boats in Alabama?
A USCG-approved Type B-1 fire extinguisher
When is it mandatory to wear a life jacket on a boat in Alabama?
1
, When the boat is underway, and the operator or passengers are not in the cabin
What is the correct action if another boat is approaching head-on?
Steer to the right to avoid a collision
What does a red buoy indicate on the water?
The left side (port) of the channel when traveling upstream
What should you do when navigating in narrow or congested waterways?
Keep to the right side of the channel
How should you approach a dock when docking your boat?
Slowly, using the wind or current to help guide the boat
What is the minimum age for operating a motorized boat in Alabama without adult supervision?
14 years old
What action should you take if you are towing a skier or wakeboarder?
Ensure the person being towed is wearing a personal flotation device (PFD)
What should you do if your boat begins to take on water?
Use a bilge pump or bailing device to remove water
What does a green buoy indicate on Alabama waters?
The right side (starboard) of the channel when traveling upstream
What should you do if you see a flashing blue light while boating?
Yield to the law enforcement vessel and slow down
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