CALIFORNIA BOATING FINAL EXAM A
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to California law, children under what age must wear a United States Coast
Guard-approved life jacket while a vessel is underway?
A. Under 10 years of age
B. Under 12 years of age
C. Under 13 years of age
D. Under 16 years of age
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires every child under 13 years of age to wear
a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a vessel that is underway, unless
they are in an enclosed cabin or a harness on a sailboat.
2. What is the legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for an adult operating a
vessel in California?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.10%
,C. 0.05%
D. 0.01%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For boaters 21 years of age or older, it is illegal to operate any
vessel while under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
3. When returning from the open sea, what should a boater do when they see a red nun
buoy?
A. Keep the buoy on the port (left) side
B. Pass directly over the buoy location
C. Keep the buoy on the starboard (right) side
D. Stop and wait for a pilot boat
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Following the ‘Red Right Returning’ rule, red buoys and markers
should be kept on the starboard (right) side of the vessel when returning from sea or
heading upstream.
4. A person is at least 16 years of age but has not yet reached 18. Under what condition can
they operate a motorboat with more than 15 horsepower?
A. They are not allowed to operate such a boat until age 18
B. Only if a parent is on board
, C. Only if they possess a valid California Boater Card
D. Only during daylight hours
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: California is phasing in requirements for the California Boater
Card. Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a vessel if they possess a valid Boater
Card issued by DBW.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for the observer on a vessel towing a person on
water skis?
A. The observer must be at least 12 years old
B. The observer must be at least 18 years old
C. The observer must be the vessel owner
D. The observer must be a certified lifeguard
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires that there must be a person at least 12
years of age, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the person being towed.
6. What must a vessel operator do when approaching a ‘Diver Down’ flag?
A. Maintain course and speed to stay predictable
B. Operate at a speed that creates no wake within 200 feet
C. Operate at a distance of at least 500 feet
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to California law, children under what age must wear a United States Coast
Guard-approved life jacket while a vessel is underway?
A. Under 10 years of age
B. Under 12 years of age
C. Under 13 years of age
D. Under 16 years of age
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires every child under 13 years of age to wear
a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a vessel that is underway, unless
they are in an enclosed cabin or a harness on a sailboat.
2. What is the legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for an adult operating a
vessel in California?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.10%
,C. 0.05%
D. 0.01%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For boaters 21 years of age or older, it is illegal to operate any
vessel while under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
3. When returning from the open sea, what should a boater do when they see a red nun
buoy?
A. Keep the buoy on the port (left) side
B. Pass directly over the buoy location
C. Keep the buoy on the starboard (right) side
D. Stop and wait for a pilot boat
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Following the ‘Red Right Returning’ rule, red buoys and markers
should be kept on the starboard (right) side of the vessel when returning from sea or
heading upstream.
4. A person is at least 16 years of age but has not yet reached 18. Under what condition can
they operate a motorboat with more than 15 horsepower?
A. They are not allowed to operate such a boat until age 18
B. Only if a parent is on board
, C. Only if they possess a valid California Boater Card
D. Only during daylight hours
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: California is phasing in requirements for the California Boater
Card. Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a vessel if they possess a valid Boater
Card issued by DBW.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for the observer on a vessel towing a person on
water skis?
A. The observer must be at least 12 years old
B. The observer must be at least 18 years old
C. The observer must be the vessel owner
D. The observer must be a certified lifeguard
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: California law requires that there must be a person at least 12
years of age, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the person being towed.
6. What must a vessel operator do when approaching a ‘Diver Down’ flag?
A. Maintain course and speed to stay predictable
B. Operate at a speed that creates no wake within 200 feet
C. Operate at a distance of at least 500 feet
