2026 MISSOURI BOATING REVIEW 2026 TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Obstructing or Impending Navigation - ✔✔Vessel operators should always be
considerate of other vessel operators even when stopping to anchor or moor. Keep in
mind that it is illegal to:
-Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel in a way that will prevent or
interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
-Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any
other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities.
Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.
-Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility.
Mark or obstruct any state waters in a way that endangers the operation of watercraft or
conflicts with the MSHP marking system.
-Operate or otherwise position a vessel, other object, or any person in a way that
obstructs or impedes the normal flow of traffic on the lakes of this state with, damage, or
destroy any navigational aid.
✔✔Homeland security restrictions - ✔✔Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to
minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within
100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval
vessel or the U.S. Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
, Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially
those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.
Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel.
Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all
activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port
or marina security.
✔✔Overview of PFD Law: - ✔✔All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-
approved life jackets, called personal flotation devices (PFDs). The quantity and type
depend on the length of your vessel and the number of people on board and/or being
towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, be the proper size for the intended wearer,
and very importantly, be readily accessible! Readily accessible means you must be able
to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on
fire, etc.). PFDs should not be stowed in plastic bags or in locked or closed
compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them.
✔✔Specific PFD Requirements: - ✔✔All vessels 16 feet in length or longer must carry
one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD (life jacket) for each person on board or
being towed. Vessels less than 16 feet in length must carry one wearable or one
throwable USCG-approved PFD for each person on board or being towed. Under
federal law, however, a wearable PFD is required for each person on board regardless
of vessel length.
In addition to the requirements above, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one
USCG-approved Type IV PFD on board and readily accessible.
All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible. The PFDs
must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body
weight and chest size.
Everyone on board a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
PFDs may not be stowed in closed or locked compartments.
✔✔Length of Vessel - ✔✔Less than 26 feet
26 feet to less than 40 feet
40 feet less than 65 feet.
✔✔Without Fixed System - ✔✔one B-I
two B-I or one B-II
three B-I or one B-II and one B-I.
✔✔With Fixed System - ✔✔None
One B-I
two B-I or one B-II.
✔✔Backfire - ✔✔Explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in
an internal combustion engine.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Obstructing or Impending Navigation - ✔✔Vessel operators should always be
considerate of other vessel operators even when stopping to anchor or moor. Keep in
mind that it is illegal to:
-Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel in a way that will prevent or
interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
-Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any
other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities.
Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.
-Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility.
Mark or obstruct any state waters in a way that endangers the operation of watercraft or
conflicts with the MSHP marking system.
-Operate or otherwise position a vessel, other object, or any person in a way that
obstructs or impedes the normal flow of traffic on the lakes of this state with, damage, or
destroy any navigational aid.
✔✔Homeland security restrictions - ✔✔Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to
minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within
100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval
vessel or the U.S. Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
, Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially
those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.
Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel.
Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all
activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port
or marina security.
✔✔Overview of PFD Law: - ✔✔All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-
approved life jackets, called personal flotation devices (PFDs). The quantity and type
depend on the length of your vessel and the number of people on board and/or being
towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, be the proper size for the intended wearer,
and very importantly, be readily accessible! Readily accessible means you must be able
to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on
fire, etc.). PFDs should not be stowed in plastic bags or in locked or closed
compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them.
✔✔Specific PFD Requirements: - ✔✔All vessels 16 feet in length or longer must carry
one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD (life jacket) for each person on board or
being towed. Vessels less than 16 feet in length must carry one wearable or one
throwable USCG-approved PFD for each person on board or being towed. Under
federal law, however, a wearable PFD is required for each person on board regardless
of vessel length.
In addition to the requirements above, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one
USCG-approved Type IV PFD on board and readily accessible.
All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible. The PFDs
must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body
weight and chest size.
Everyone on board a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
PFDs may not be stowed in closed or locked compartments.
✔✔Length of Vessel - ✔✔Less than 26 feet
26 feet to less than 40 feet
40 feet less than 65 feet.
✔✔Without Fixed System - ✔✔one B-I
two B-I or one B-II
three B-I or one B-II and one B-I.
✔✔With Fixed System - ✔✔None
One B-I
two B-I or one B-II.
✔✔Backfire - ✔✔Explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in
an internal combustion engine.
