Connecticut Boating License Exam 2026: 85 Essential Questions & Verified Answers (Guaranteed Pass!)
When must you sound fog signals? - (ANSWER)During periods of restricted visibility, such as extreme
fog.
What must you do when you hear a fog signal? - (ANSWER)If you hear the fog signal of a vessel you
cannot see, slow to a minimum speed until you are sure there is not a risk of collision.
What is the fog signal for a power boat? - (ANSWER)One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than
two minutes
What is the fog signal for a sail boat? - (ANSWER)One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals
of not more than two minutes
What are the three basic rules of navigation? - (ANSWER)1) Practice good seamanship - take all
necessary action to avoid collision, taking into account weather, vessel traffic, and limits of other
vessels.
2) Keep a proper lookout - using both sight and hearing, watch and listen for other vessels, radio
communications, navigational hazards, and others involved in water activities.
3) Maintain a safe speed - safe speed is the speed that ensures you have ample time to avoid collision
and can stop within an appropriate distance. Safe speed will vary depending on conditions such as wind,
water conditions, navigational hazards, visibility, surrounding vessel traffic density, and the
maneuverability or your boat or PWC. Always reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution at night
and when visibility is restricted.
When should you take evasive action? - (ANSWER)When approaching another vessel whose intentions
aren't clear
What is the stand-on vessel? - (ANSWER)The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it
becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
- If you must take action, do not turn toward the give-way vessel or cross in front of it.
, Connecticut Boating License Exam 2026: 85 Essential Questions & Verified Answers (Guaranteed Pass!)
What is the give-way vessel? - (ANSWER)The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action
to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down, or changing course.
- Avoid crossing in front of other vessels
- Any change in course and/or speed should be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel (A
series of small changes should be avoided).
What is the pecking order? - (ANSWER)1) Vessels not under command (NUC)
2) Vessels with a restricted ability to maneuver (RAM)
3) Vessels that are constrained by their draft (CBD)
4) Commercial fishing vessels
5) Sailboats under sail
6) Power boats or runabouts
7) Sea planes and paddlers
Sidelights - (ANSWER)These red and green lights are called sidelights (or combination lights) because
they are visible to another vessel approaching from the SIDE or HEAD-ON.
- The RED light indicates a vessel's PORT (LEFT) SIDE
- The GREEN light indicates a vessel's STARBOARD (RIGHT) SIDE
Sternlight - (ANSWER)This WHITE light is seen only from BEHIND or nearly behind the vessel.
Masthead light - (ANSWER)This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all
power-driven vessels. A masthead light must be displayed by all vessels when under engine power.
- On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, the masthead light and the sternlight may be
combined into an all-round white light
- Power-driven vessels 39.4 feet in length or longer must have a separate masthead light
- The absence of this light indicates a sailing vessel because sailboats under sail display only sidelights
and a sternlight.
When must you sound fog signals? - (ANSWER)During periods of restricted visibility, such as extreme
fog.
What must you do when you hear a fog signal? - (ANSWER)If you hear the fog signal of a vessel you
cannot see, slow to a minimum speed until you are sure there is not a risk of collision.
What is the fog signal for a power boat? - (ANSWER)One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than
two minutes
What is the fog signal for a sail boat? - (ANSWER)One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals
of not more than two minutes
What are the three basic rules of navigation? - (ANSWER)1) Practice good seamanship - take all
necessary action to avoid collision, taking into account weather, vessel traffic, and limits of other
vessels.
2) Keep a proper lookout - using both sight and hearing, watch and listen for other vessels, radio
communications, navigational hazards, and others involved in water activities.
3) Maintain a safe speed - safe speed is the speed that ensures you have ample time to avoid collision
and can stop within an appropriate distance. Safe speed will vary depending on conditions such as wind,
water conditions, navigational hazards, visibility, surrounding vessel traffic density, and the
maneuverability or your boat or PWC. Always reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution at night
and when visibility is restricted.
When should you take evasive action? - (ANSWER)When approaching another vessel whose intentions
aren't clear
What is the stand-on vessel? - (ANSWER)The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it
becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
- If you must take action, do not turn toward the give-way vessel or cross in front of it.
, Connecticut Boating License Exam 2026: 85 Essential Questions & Verified Answers (Guaranteed Pass!)
What is the give-way vessel? - (ANSWER)The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action
to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down, or changing course.
- Avoid crossing in front of other vessels
- Any change in course and/or speed should be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel (A
series of small changes should be avoided).
What is the pecking order? - (ANSWER)1) Vessels not under command (NUC)
2) Vessels with a restricted ability to maneuver (RAM)
3) Vessels that are constrained by their draft (CBD)
4) Commercial fishing vessels
5) Sailboats under sail
6) Power boats or runabouts
7) Sea planes and paddlers
Sidelights - (ANSWER)These red and green lights are called sidelights (or combination lights) because
they are visible to another vessel approaching from the SIDE or HEAD-ON.
- The RED light indicates a vessel's PORT (LEFT) SIDE
- The GREEN light indicates a vessel's STARBOARD (RIGHT) SIDE
Sternlight - (ANSWER)This WHITE light is seen only from BEHIND or nearly behind the vessel.
Masthead light - (ANSWER)This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all
power-driven vessels. A masthead light must be displayed by all vessels when under engine power.
- On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, the masthead light and the sternlight may be
combined into an all-round white light
- Power-driven vessels 39.4 feet in length or longer must have a separate masthead light
- The absence of this light indicates a sailing vessel because sailboats under sail display only sidelights
and a sternlight.
