FLORIDA BOATING 2026 MAIN EXAMINATION SET
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔If you've been in a boating accident, there's a good chance you'll be - ✔✔required to
file a report with local law enforcement. --This is a requirement under Federal Law, and
not filing a required report can result in serious fines, or even jail time!
✔✔Examples of when you'll need to file an accident report include accidents that
involve: - ✔✔1. Fatalities,
2. Missing persons,
3. Injuries requiring treatment, and/or
4. Property damage.
✔✔If you are involved in an accident, you're required by law to do the following: - ✔✔1.
Stop; Identify yourself and your boat;
2. Provide assistance, if possible;
3. Take down all pertinent information, including the date, time and conditions; and
4. File an accident report with the local authorities.
✔✔It's also important to know that you're allowed to ignore any navigation rule to -
✔✔avoid placing your boat in immediate danger.
-Safety is always your first priority.
✔✔Vessel - ✔✔Any type of watercraft, including non-displacement craft and seaplane
used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water
✔✔Power-Driven - ✔✔Propelled by machinery
✔✔Sailing Vessel - ✔✔Under sail, provided that propelling machinery, even if present,
is not being used
✔✔Vessel Engaged in Fishing - ✔✔Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other
fishing apparatus that restrict maneuverability (does not include a vessel fishing with
trolling lines or other fishing apparatus that do not restrict maneuverability)
✔✔Seaplane - ✔✔Any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water
✔✔Length and Breadth - ✔✔A vessel's length overall and greatest breadth
,✔✔In Sight of One Another - ✔✔Vessels are deemed to be in sight of one another only
when one can be observed visually from the other
✔✔Stand-On Vessel - ✔✔When encountering another vessel, the stand-on vessel
must: 1. Maintain course and speed. 2. Keep a proper lookout and return
communication with the give-way vessel. 3. Do all it can to avoid collision.
✔✔Give-way Vessel - ✔✔The vessel that must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action
to keep WELL clear of the stand-on vessel
✔✔Underway - ✔✔A vessel that is not at anchor or made fast to the shore
✔✔Restricted Visibility - ✔✔Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist,
falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or any other similar causes
✔✔Inland Waters - ✔✔The navigable waters of the United States shoreward of the
navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other
inland waters of the United States, and the waters of the Great Lakes on the United
States side of the International Boundary
✔✔Using sound to signal other vessels is one of the - ✔✔first ways you can prevent a
collision
✔✔Let's look at the rules for what sound signalling equipment you need to have
onboard. - ✔✔1. For boats between 39.4 feet and 65 feet in length, you must have a
bell, as well as an air-horn or a whistle, onboard.
2. For vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, you need one effective sound-producing
device, like an air horn or a whistle.
-It's important to note that these are federal requirements.
✔✔(Sound Signaling Equipment)
If you're operating an unpowered boat, you simply need to have the - ✔✔means to
make a sound signal that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a
collision. That could mean having a whistle, a bell, or an air horn onboard.
✔✔(When and How to Use Sound Signals)
When you come within a half-mile of another power-driven vessel, you must - ✔✔use
sound signals to let the other vessel know where you intend to go.
, -The initiating vessel indicates the direction they want to go, and the responding vessel
either agrees or disagrees.
✔✔SOUND SIGNALS - ✔✔1. 1 short blast (1 second)
-I want to pass you on my port side (Hint: PORT = 1 syllable = 1 short blast)
2. 2 Short Blasts
-I want to pass you on my starboard side (Hint: STARBOARD = 2 syllables = 2 short
blasts)
3. 3 Short Blasts
-Engine is in reverse
4. 5 Short Blasts
-Danger, or do not understand approaching boat's intentions
5. 1 prolonged blast (4-6 seconds)
-Warning:
Entering or exiting a blind turn
Nearing an obstructed area
Leaving a dock or a berth
6. 1 prolonged blast every 2 minutes
-Power-driven vessel operating in low or restricted visibility
7. 1 prolonged blast + 2 short blasts every 2 minutes
-Sailing vessel operating in low or restricted visibility
✔✔You're going to encounter a lot of distractions on the water. As the boat operator, it's
your responsibility to - ✔✔constantly monitor your surroundings, including the actions of
other boats, at all times of the day.
✔✔(Proper Lookout )
To Keep A Proper Lookout - ✔✔1. Make sure that passengers or equipment don't get in
the way of your line of sight;
2. Make it a habit to constantly scan your bow, starboard and port sides for other
boaters, swimmers, dive flags and floating debris;
3. And, use every available means, including radar and radio if you have them, to
determine whether you are at risk of collision. This is more than a tip, it's the law.
-Remember, remaining vigilant and on the lookout while operating your boat is not only
common sense, it's also your legal responsibility!
, ✔✔(Safe Speed)
You should always operate your vessel at a speed that gives you - ✔✔enough time and
enough distance to take action to avoid a collision. Of course, there are different
conditions, situations and levels of expertise that warrant different speeds.
✔✔(Safe Speed)
Here are some factors to take into account when determining a safe speed for your
boat: - ✔✔1. Is your visibility restricted by fog, mist, rain or darkness?
2. What are the weather and water conditions like, such as the wind, waves and
currents?
3. How much boat traffic is there, what other types of vessels are in the area, and how
close are they to your boat?
4. How responsive is your vessel and how responsive are other vessels nearby?
Remember that larger, more powerful boats require more room to turn and also
generally have a higher top-end speed, so they require more time and distance to stop.
5. Finally, are there any navigational hazards in the area?
The answers to these questions will determine whether you need to adjust your speed
for safety.
✔✔(Collision avoidance)
To avoid a dangerous and costly collision, you need to take some important
precautionary measures when operating your boat. - ✔✔First, always keep a proper
lookout so you're ready to react to any situation.
2. Second, if equipped, use radar to give other larger vessels early warning that your
boat is in the area. You can also use radar to detect shallow waters; key for avoiding
running aground.
3. Third, and most important, you need to know how to deal with any sudden and
dangerous situations that might occur.
✔✔How do you know if you're at risk of a collision? - ✔✔1. First, if the direction of a
nearby vessel does not change significantly in response to your approach, you may be
at risk and need to take action.
2. Second, even if an approaching vessel does make a change of direction, you may
still be at risk, especially when the approaching boat is a large vessel, a towing vessel,
or a boat at close range.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔If you've been in a boating accident, there's a good chance you'll be - ✔✔required to
file a report with local law enforcement. --This is a requirement under Federal Law, and
not filing a required report can result in serious fines, or even jail time!
✔✔Examples of when you'll need to file an accident report include accidents that
involve: - ✔✔1. Fatalities,
2. Missing persons,
3. Injuries requiring treatment, and/or
4. Property damage.
✔✔If you are involved in an accident, you're required by law to do the following: - ✔✔1.
Stop; Identify yourself and your boat;
2. Provide assistance, if possible;
3. Take down all pertinent information, including the date, time and conditions; and
4. File an accident report with the local authorities.
✔✔It's also important to know that you're allowed to ignore any navigation rule to -
✔✔avoid placing your boat in immediate danger.
-Safety is always your first priority.
✔✔Vessel - ✔✔Any type of watercraft, including non-displacement craft and seaplane
used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water
✔✔Power-Driven - ✔✔Propelled by machinery
✔✔Sailing Vessel - ✔✔Under sail, provided that propelling machinery, even if present,
is not being used
✔✔Vessel Engaged in Fishing - ✔✔Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other
fishing apparatus that restrict maneuverability (does not include a vessel fishing with
trolling lines or other fishing apparatus that do not restrict maneuverability)
✔✔Seaplane - ✔✔Any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water
✔✔Length and Breadth - ✔✔A vessel's length overall and greatest breadth
,✔✔In Sight of One Another - ✔✔Vessels are deemed to be in sight of one another only
when one can be observed visually from the other
✔✔Stand-On Vessel - ✔✔When encountering another vessel, the stand-on vessel
must: 1. Maintain course and speed. 2. Keep a proper lookout and return
communication with the give-way vessel. 3. Do all it can to avoid collision.
✔✔Give-way Vessel - ✔✔The vessel that must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action
to keep WELL clear of the stand-on vessel
✔✔Underway - ✔✔A vessel that is not at anchor or made fast to the shore
✔✔Restricted Visibility - ✔✔Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist,
falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or any other similar causes
✔✔Inland Waters - ✔✔The navigable waters of the United States shoreward of the
navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other
inland waters of the United States, and the waters of the Great Lakes on the United
States side of the International Boundary
✔✔Using sound to signal other vessels is one of the - ✔✔first ways you can prevent a
collision
✔✔Let's look at the rules for what sound signalling equipment you need to have
onboard. - ✔✔1. For boats between 39.4 feet and 65 feet in length, you must have a
bell, as well as an air-horn or a whistle, onboard.
2. For vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, you need one effective sound-producing
device, like an air horn or a whistle.
-It's important to note that these are federal requirements.
✔✔(Sound Signaling Equipment)
If you're operating an unpowered boat, you simply need to have the - ✔✔means to
make a sound signal that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a
collision. That could mean having a whistle, a bell, or an air horn onboard.
✔✔(When and How to Use Sound Signals)
When you come within a half-mile of another power-driven vessel, you must - ✔✔use
sound signals to let the other vessel know where you intend to go.
, -The initiating vessel indicates the direction they want to go, and the responding vessel
either agrees or disagrees.
✔✔SOUND SIGNALS - ✔✔1. 1 short blast (1 second)
-I want to pass you on my port side (Hint: PORT = 1 syllable = 1 short blast)
2. 2 Short Blasts
-I want to pass you on my starboard side (Hint: STARBOARD = 2 syllables = 2 short
blasts)
3. 3 Short Blasts
-Engine is in reverse
4. 5 Short Blasts
-Danger, or do not understand approaching boat's intentions
5. 1 prolonged blast (4-6 seconds)
-Warning:
Entering or exiting a blind turn
Nearing an obstructed area
Leaving a dock or a berth
6. 1 prolonged blast every 2 minutes
-Power-driven vessel operating in low or restricted visibility
7. 1 prolonged blast + 2 short blasts every 2 minutes
-Sailing vessel operating in low or restricted visibility
✔✔You're going to encounter a lot of distractions on the water. As the boat operator, it's
your responsibility to - ✔✔constantly monitor your surroundings, including the actions of
other boats, at all times of the day.
✔✔(Proper Lookout )
To Keep A Proper Lookout - ✔✔1. Make sure that passengers or equipment don't get in
the way of your line of sight;
2. Make it a habit to constantly scan your bow, starboard and port sides for other
boaters, swimmers, dive flags and floating debris;
3. And, use every available means, including radar and radio if you have them, to
determine whether you are at risk of collision. This is more than a tip, it's the law.
-Remember, remaining vigilant and on the lookout while operating your boat is not only
common sense, it's also your legal responsibility!
, ✔✔(Safe Speed)
You should always operate your vessel at a speed that gives you - ✔✔enough time and
enough distance to take action to avoid a collision. Of course, there are different
conditions, situations and levels of expertise that warrant different speeds.
✔✔(Safe Speed)
Here are some factors to take into account when determining a safe speed for your
boat: - ✔✔1. Is your visibility restricted by fog, mist, rain or darkness?
2. What are the weather and water conditions like, such as the wind, waves and
currents?
3. How much boat traffic is there, what other types of vessels are in the area, and how
close are they to your boat?
4. How responsive is your vessel and how responsive are other vessels nearby?
Remember that larger, more powerful boats require more room to turn and also
generally have a higher top-end speed, so they require more time and distance to stop.
5. Finally, are there any navigational hazards in the area?
The answers to these questions will determine whether you need to adjust your speed
for safety.
✔✔(Collision avoidance)
To avoid a dangerous and costly collision, you need to take some important
precautionary measures when operating your boat. - ✔✔First, always keep a proper
lookout so you're ready to react to any situation.
2. Second, if equipped, use radar to give other larger vessels early warning that your
boat is in the area. You can also use radar to detect shallow waters; key for avoiding
running aground.
3. Third, and most important, you need to know how to deal with any sudden and
dangerous situations that might occur.
✔✔How do you know if you're at risk of a collision? - ✔✔1. First, if the direction of a
nearby vessel does not change significantly in response to your approach, you may be
at risk and need to take action.
2. Second, even if an approaching vessel does make a change of direction, you may
still be at risk, especially when the approaching boat is a large vessel, a towing vessel,
or a boat at close range.
