California Boating Safety Final Actual Exam
“B” 100 Real questions with Verified
Answers | Instant Pdf Download
INTRODUCTION
This exam is designed to prepare boaters for the California Boating Safety Education
Certificate test. It contains 100 realistic, study-aligned multiple-choice questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales to reinforce safe boating knowledge.
Topics Covered:
1. Navigation Rules & Right-of-Way
o Rules for head-on, crossing, and overtaking situations
o Sailing vessel priorities
o Power-driven vessels
2. Navigation Aids & Buoys
o Red and green buoys (“Red, Right, Returning”)
o Special markers, safe water, and hazard indicators
o Diver-down flags
3. Boating Safety Equipment
o Life jackets (PFDs), fire extinguishers, flares, sound signals
o Proper PFD use and size requirements
o Anchors and anchor lines
4. Boating Operations & Maneuvers
o Proper docking, anchoring, and towing techniques
o Headway speed, no-wake zones, and safe operation in traffic
o Maneuvering in restricted visibility and fog
5. Emergency Procedures & Accident Response
o Actions in fire, collision, or person-overboard situations
o Carbon monoxide awareness
o Reporting accidents and legal requirements
6. Boating Laws & Regulations
o Alcohol restrictions (BUI)
o Age requirements for operators
o Accident reporting thresholds
7. Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety
o Proper use, speed, and right-of-way rules
o Safety equipment and operator responsibilities
o Common causes of accidents
8. Environmental Awareness & Safe Practices
, o Effects of wakes and propeller hazards
o Safe speed and lookout practices
o Boating preparation: checking weather, fuel, and equipment
1. A slow-moving vessel should display which shape during daylight?
A. Triangle
B. Diamond
C. Circle
D. Square
Answer: B — Diamond
Rationale: Restricted-maneuver vessels display a diamond to indicate caution.
2. When two powerboats meet head-on, each should:
A. Turn to starboard (right)
B. Turn to port (left)
C. Maintain speed
D. Reverse engines
Answer: A — Turn to starboard
Rationale: Head-on rules require both boats to alter course to the right.
3. What sound signal is required when overtaking another vessel?
A. One short blast
B. Two short blasts
C. Three long blasts
D. Five short blasts
Answer: B — Two short blasts
Rationale: Two short blasts indicate passing on the overtaken vessel's port
side.
4. Boaters in California must report a boating accident to the DMV if
damage exceeds:
,A. $100
B. $500
C. $2,000
D. $5,000
Answer: C — $2,000
Rationale: Accidents causing death, injury, or property damage over $2,000
must be reported.
5. When anchoring, secure the line to a:
A. Cleat or strong point
B. Seatback
C. Electrical fitting
D. Handrail
Answer: A — Cleat or strong point
Rationale: Ensures stability and safety when anchored.
6. The best way to prevent propeller accidents is to:
A. Wear bright clothing
B. Turn off engine near swimmers
C. Reduce speed only
D. Use a life jacket
Answer: B — Turn off engine near swimmers
Rationale: Stopping the engine prevents injury from rotating propellers.
7. Boaters running at night must show proper lighting between:
A. Sunset and sunrise
B. 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
C. Sunset and 8 p.m.
D. Only when crossing channels
Answer: A — Sunset and sunrise
Rationale: Navigation lights must be shown from sunset to sunrise.
, 8. A vessel displaying a white flag with an orange ball means:
A. Divers below
B. Personal watercraft stop signal
C. Restricted visibility
D. No wake zone
Answer: B — Personal watercraft stop signal
Rationale: This flag signals a PWC or small craft stopping.
9. If your engine fails at night, you should:
A. Fire a flare
B. Use flashlight and anchor
C. Sound five short blasts
D. Speed up
Answer: B — Use flashlight and anchor
Rationale: Anchor safely and signal if necessary; flares only in true
emergencies.
10. A no-wake zone requires boaters to:
A. Maintain 5 mph
B. Operate at slowest speed to maintain steerage
C. Turn off engine
D. Refrain from docking
Answer: B — Operate at slowest speed to maintain steerage
Rationale: Creates minimal wake while still controlling the vessel.
11. When returning from sea, red buoys on your port side mean:
A. Pass on port side
B. Pass on starboard side
C. Anchor immediately
D. Turn around
Answer: A — Pass on port side
Rationale: “Red, right, returning” helps identify channel markers.
“B” 100 Real questions with Verified
Answers | Instant Pdf Download
INTRODUCTION
This exam is designed to prepare boaters for the California Boating Safety Education
Certificate test. It contains 100 realistic, study-aligned multiple-choice questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales to reinforce safe boating knowledge.
Topics Covered:
1. Navigation Rules & Right-of-Way
o Rules for head-on, crossing, and overtaking situations
o Sailing vessel priorities
o Power-driven vessels
2. Navigation Aids & Buoys
o Red and green buoys (“Red, Right, Returning”)
o Special markers, safe water, and hazard indicators
o Diver-down flags
3. Boating Safety Equipment
o Life jackets (PFDs), fire extinguishers, flares, sound signals
o Proper PFD use and size requirements
o Anchors and anchor lines
4. Boating Operations & Maneuvers
o Proper docking, anchoring, and towing techniques
o Headway speed, no-wake zones, and safe operation in traffic
o Maneuvering in restricted visibility and fog
5. Emergency Procedures & Accident Response
o Actions in fire, collision, or person-overboard situations
o Carbon monoxide awareness
o Reporting accidents and legal requirements
6. Boating Laws & Regulations
o Alcohol restrictions (BUI)
o Age requirements for operators
o Accident reporting thresholds
7. Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety
o Proper use, speed, and right-of-way rules
o Safety equipment and operator responsibilities
o Common causes of accidents
8. Environmental Awareness & Safe Practices
, o Effects of wakes and propeller hazards
o Safe speed and lookout practices
o Boating preparation: checking weather, fuel, and equipment
1. A slow-moving vessel should display which shape during daylight?
A. Triangle
B. Diamond
C. Circle
D. Square
Answer: B — Diamond
Rationale: Restricted-maneuver vessels display a diamond to indicate caution.
2. When two powerboats meet head-on, each should:
A. Turn to starboard (right)
B. Turn to port (left)
C. Maintain speed
D. Reverse engines
Answer: A — Turn to starboard
Rationale: Head-on rules require both boats to alter course to the right.
3. What sound signal is required when overtaking another vessel?
A. One short blast
B. Two short blasts
C. Three long blasts
D. Five short blasts
Answer: B — Two short blasts
Rationale: Two short blasts indicate passing on the overtaken vessel's port
side.
4. Boaters in California must report a boating accident to the DMV if
damage exceeds:
,A. $100
B. $500
C. $2,000
D. $5,000
Answer: C — $2,000
Rationale: Accidents causing death, injury, or property damage over $2,000
must be reported.
5. When anchoring, secure the line to a:
A. Cleat or strong point
B. Seatback
C. Electrical fitting
D. Handrail
Answer: A — Cleat or strong point
Rationale: Ensures stability and safety when anchored.
6. The best way to prevent propeller accidents is to:
A. Wear bright clothing
B. Turn off engine near swimmers
C. Reduce speed only
D. Use a life jacket
Answer: B — Turn off engine near swimmers
Rationale: Stopping the engine prevents injury from rotating propellers.
7. Boaters running at night must show proper lighting between:
A. Sunset and sunrise
B. 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
C. Sunset and 8 p.m.
D. Only when crossing channels
Answer: A — Sunset and sunrise
Rationale: Navigation lights must be shown from sunset to sunrise.
, 8. A vessel displaying a white flag with an orange ball means:
A. Divers below
B. Personal watercraft stop signal
C. Restricted visibility
D. No wake zone
Answer: B — Personal watercraft stop signal
Rationale: This flag signals a PWC or small craft stopping.
9. If your engine fails at night, you should:
A. Fire a flare
B. Use flashlight and anchor
C. Sound five short blasts
D. Speed up
Answer: B — Use flashlight and anchor
Rationale: Anchor safely and signal if necessary; flares only in true
emergencies.
10. A no-wake zone requires boaters to:
A. Maintain 5 mph
B. Operate at slowest speed to maintain steerage
C. Turn off engine
D. Refrain from docking
Answer: B — Operate at slowest speed to maintain steerage
Rationale: Creates minimal wake while still controlling the vessel.
11. When returning from sea, red buoys on your port side mean:
A. Pass on port side
B. Pass on starboard side
C. Anchor immediately
D. Turn around
Answer: A — Pass on port side
Rationale: “Red, right, returning” helps identify channel markers.
