CALIFORNIA BOATING EXAM B 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Certain plants and animals are considered nuisance species. How can you prevent
transporting them with your vessel from one waterway to another? - ✔✔Remove any
zebra mussels you see before leaving the body of water.
✔✔What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board departing? - ✔✔Where to
find the PFDs and Visual Distress Signals.
✔✔What is the main function of an ignition safety switch? - ✔✔To SHUT off the engine
if the operator is thrown overboard.
✔✔How far must a vessel stay from a diver-down flag? - ✔✔100 feet
✔✔How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on
land?
a. about the same effect whether on land or on water.
b. much greater effect while boating.
c. much greater effect on land.
d. slightly greater effect when on land. - ✔✔b. much greater effect while boating.
✔✔What is true about operating a boat in Alabama while intoxicated? - ✔✔A boater
must submit to testing for BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration).
✔✔There are vessels operating in the same general area. Who's responsible is it to
avoid a collision? - ✔✔Operators of BOTH vessels
✔✔How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
a. No other vessels are passing you.
b. You are NOT overtaking any other vessels
c. You are going slower than vessels towing skiers.
d. You have enough time to avoid a collision. - ✔✔d. You have enough time to avoid a
collision.
✔✔According to Alabama boating law, which of the these is considered legal operation?
a. operating a vessel without the required safety equipment.
b. operating above a plane speed when persons are on board are obstructing the
operator's view.
c. operating at a speed that causes a hazardous wake when approaching another
vessel.
, d. operating at less than 5 mph in a "slow, no wake" speed area. - ✔✔d. operating at
less than 5 mph in a "slow, no wake" speed area.
✔✔What is the MAIN purpose of the lateral system of red and green buoys and
markers? - ✔✔to mark the EDGES of safe water areas.
✔✔When is a sailboat (under sail power) the give-way vessel when encountering a
power-driven vessel? - ✔✔When the sailboat is overtaking (passing) the power-driven
vessel.
✔✔To make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency what should a vessel
operator do? - ✔✔conduct an emergency drill with the passengers
✔✔When towing a skier and there is not have a capable observer on board what
equipment is required to legally pull the skier? (vessel is NOT a PWC) - ✔✔a Wide-
Angle Rearview Mirror
✔✔A white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering means what? -
✔✔Exclusion or keep-out area, such as a dam.
✔✔Why is carbon monoxide gas dangerous? - ✔✔its colorless, odorless, tasteless, and
can be fatal
✔✔How far away should you slow to a minimum speed when approaching a U.S. naval
vessel? - ✔✔500 yards
✔✔Before allowing others to operate their vessel what must an operator do before? -
✔✔Make sure they know how to operate it safely.
✔✔To reduce the risk of falling overboard you should do which of the following?
a. Stand up when changing seats
b. Move around while underway.
c. Keep two points of contact if you move.
d. Keep centered in the boat. - ✔✔d. Keep centered in the boat.
✔✔You see an boating accident. What is the first action required of a boat operator who
witnesses a boating accident? - ✔✔To provide assistance.
✔✔What should a motorboat operator do when someone is being pulled into the boat
from the water? - ✔✔Turn OFF the engine.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Certain plants and animals are considered nuisance species. How can you prevent
transporting them with your vessel from one waterway to another? - ✔✔Remove any
zebra mussels you see before leaving the body of water.
✔✔What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board departing? - ✔✔Where to
find the PFDs and Visual Distress Signals.
✔✔What is the main function of an ignition safety switch? - ✔✔To SHUT off the engine
if the operator is thrown overboard.
✔✔How far must a vessel stay from a diver-down flag? - ✔✔100 feet
✔✔How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on
land?
a. about the same effect whether on land or on water.
b. much greater effect while boating.
c. much greater effect on land.
d. slightly greater effect when on land. - ✔✔b. much greater effect while boating.
✔✔What is true about operating a boat in Alabama while intoxicated? - ✔✔A boater
must submit to testing for BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration).
✔✔There are vessels operating in the same general area. Who's responsible is it to
avoid a collision? - ✔✔Operators of BOTH vessels
✔✔How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
a. No other vessels are passing you.
b. You are NOT overtaking any other vessels
c. You are going slower than vessels towing skiers.
d. You have enough time to avoid a collision. - ✔✔d. You have enough time to avoid a
collision.
✔✔According to Alabama boating law, which of the these is considered legal operation?
a. operating a vessel without the required safety equipment.
b. operating above a plane speed when persons are on board are obstructing the
operator's view.
c. operating at a speed that causes a hazardous wake when approaching another
vessel.
, d. operating at less than 5 mph in a "slow, no wake" speed area. - ✔✔d. operating at
less than 5 mph in a "slow, no wake" speed area.
✔✔What is the MAIN purpose of the lateral system of red and green buoys and
markers? - ✔✔to mark the EDGES of safe water areas.
✔✔When is a sailboat (under sail power) the give-way vessel when encountering a
power-driven vessel? - ✔✔When the sailboat is overtaking (passing) the power-driven
vessel.
✔✔To make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency what should a vessel
operator do? - ✔✔conduct an emergency drill with the passengers
✔✔When towing a skier and there is not have a capable observer on board what
equipment is required to legally pull the skier? (vessel is NOT a PWC) - ✔✔a Wide-
Angle Rearview Mirror
✔✔A white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering means what? -
✔✔Exclusion or keep-out area, such as a dam.
✔✔Why is carbon monoxide gas dangerous? - ✔✔its colorless, odorless, tasteless, and
can be fatal
✔✔How far away should you slow to a minimum speed when approaching a U.S. naval
vessel? - ✔✔500 yards
✔✔Before allowing others to operate their vessel what must an operator do before? -
✔✔Make sure they know how to operate it safely.
✔✔To reduce the risk of falling overboard you should do which of the following?
a. Stand up when changing seats
b. Move around while underway.
c. Keep two points of contact if you move.
d. Keep centered in the boat. - ✔✔d. Keep centered in the boat.
✔✔You see an boating accident. What is the first action required of a boat operator who
witnesses a boating accident? - ✔✔To provide assistance.
✔✔What should a motorboat operator do when someone is being pulled into the boat
from the water? - ✔✔Turn OFF the engine.
