, Question 1
A 22-ft recreational vessel operating on coastal waters carries a Type IV
throwable device but no Type I, II, or III PFDs. Under 33 CFR 175.15, what is
the compliance determination?
A. Compliant, because a Type IV device satisfies the wearable PFD
requirement for vessels under 26 ft.
B. Non-compliant, because a Type IV device is not acceptable as a
wearable PFD for any person aboard.
C. Compliant if the vessel is engaged in commercial fishing operations.
D. Non-compliant only if the vessel operates beyond the territorial sea.
Correct Answer: B - Non-compliant, because a Type IV device is
not acceptable as a wearable PFD for any person aboard.
RATIONALE
33 CFR 175.15 requires at least one wearable Type I, II, or III PFD of
appropriate size for each person aboard; Type IV throwables are
required only for vessels 16 ft and over and do not substitute for
wearable devices. Option A confuses the throwable requirement with
the wearable requirement. Option C is irrelevant because commercial
fishing changes equipment under 46 CFR, not the basic PFD rule.
Option D is incorrect because the wearable PFD requirement applies
regardless of distance from shore.
Question 2
During a VSC, an inspector finds a 2018 outboard-powered vessel with a
USCG-approved B-1 fire extinguisher that has no date tag and appears
corroded. What action is most appropriate?
A. Accept the extinguisher because B-1 extinguishers do not require date
tags.
B. Reject the extinguisher and require replacement with a
USCG-approved B-1 or larger with a valid date tag.
C. Accept the extinguisher if the pressure gauge reads in the green zone.
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, D. Reject the extinguisher only if the vessel is over 26 ft.
Correct Answer: B - Reject the extinguisher and require
replacement with a USCG-approved B-1 or larger with a valid
date tag.
RATIONALE
USCG-approved marine fire extinguishers must be maintained in good
condition and have a valid date tag or be within the 12-year service
life; corroded units are unreliable and should be rejected. Option A is
false because B-1 extinguishers require date tags. Option C is
insufficient because corrosion alone can render the unit unserviceable
regardless of gauge reading. Option D is incorrect because the
requirement applies to all vessels requiring extinguishers.
Question 3
A vessel's navigation lights show a white light aft and a combined red/green
light forward, but no sternlight. Which rule under COLREGS is violated?
A. Rule 21(b) - sidelights must be separate.
B. Rule 23(a) - power-driven vessels underway must exhibit sidelights,
masthead light, and sternlight.
C. Rule 25(a) - sailing vessels shall exhibit sidelights and sternlight.
D. Rule 30 - anchoring lights are required.
Correct Answer: B - Rule 23(a) - power-driven vessels underway
must exhibit sidelights, masthead light, and sternlight.
RATIONALE
Rule 23(a) requires a power-driven vessel underway to exhibit
sidelights, a masthead light, and a sternlight; the absence of a
sternlight violates this rule. Option A is incorrect because combined
lanterns are permitted for vessels under 20 m. Option C applies to
sailing vessels, not power-driven. Option D applies only when
anchored.
Page 3
, Question 4
A PWC operator is observed crossing a river at high speed while towing a
wakeboarder without a rearview mirror or observer. Which combination of
violations applies?
A. Only violation is lack of observer; mirror is optional.
B. Violation of towing requirements and PWC operational restrictions.
C. No violation if the PWC has a self-canceling lanyard.
D. Violation only if operating in a no-wake zone.
Correct Answer: B - Violation of towing requirements and PWC
operational restrictions.
RATIONALE
PWCs may not be used to tow a person unless equipped with a mirror
or an observer, and many states prohibit PWC towing altogether; the
scenario violates both the towing equipment rule and PWC operational
restrictions. Option A is incorrect because a mirror can substitute for
an observer. Option C is irrelevant. Option D is incorrect because the
violation occurs regardless of wake zone.
Question 5
An inspector documents a vessel with a fuel system lacking a backfire flame
arrestor on a gasoline inboard engine. Under 46 CFR 25.35, what is the correct
VSC disposition?
A. Acceptable if the engine is equipped with a fuel injection system.
B. Deficiency - a USCG-approved backfire flame arrestor is required on
all gasoline inboard engines.
C. Acceptable if the vessel is used only in fresh water.
D. Deficiency only if the engine is over 200 horsepower.
Correct Answer: B - Deficiency - a USCG-approved backfire
flame arrestor is required on all gasoline inboard engines.
Page 4
A 22-ft recreational vessel operating on coastal waters carries a Type IV
throwable device but no Type I, II, or III PFDs. Under 33 CFR 175.15, what is
the compliance determination?
A. Compliant, because a Type IV device satisfies the wearable PFD
requirement for vessels under 26 ft.
B. Non-compliant, because a Type IV device is not acceptable as a
wearable PFD for any person aboard.
C. Compliant if the vessel is engaged in commercial fishing operations.
D. Non-compliant only if the vessel operates beyond the territorial sea.
Correct Answer: B - Non-compliant, because a Type IV device is
not acceptable as a wearable PFD for any person aboard.
RATIONALE
33 CFR 175.15 requires at least one wearable Type I, II, or III PFD of
appropriate size for each person aboard; Type IV throwables are
required only for vessels 16 ft and over and do not substitute for
wearable devices. Option A confuses the throwable requirement with
the wearable requirement. Option C is irrelevant because commercial
fishing changes equipment under 46 CFR, not the basic PFD rule.
Option D is incorrect because the wearable PFD requirement applies
regardless of distance from shore.
Question 2
During a VSC, an inspector finds a 2018 outboard-powered vessel with a
USCG-approved B-1 fire extinguisher that has no date tag and appears
corroded. What action is most appropriate?
A. Accept the extinguisher because B-1 extinguishers do not require date
tags.
B. Reject the extinguisher and require replacement with a
USCG-approved B-1 or larger with a valid date tag.
C. Accept the extinguisher if the pressure gauge reads in the green zone.
Page 2
, D. Reject the extinguisher only if the vessel is over 26 ft.
Correct Answer: B - Reject the extinguisher and require
replacement with a USCG-approved B-1 or larger with a valid
date tag.
RATIONALE
USCG-approved marine fire extinguishers must be maintained in good
condition and have a valid date tag or be within the 12-year service
life; corroded units are unreliable and should be rejected. Option A is
false because B-1 extinguishers require date tags. Option C is
insufficient because corrosion alone can render the unit unserviceable
regardless of gauge reading. Option D is incorrect because the
requirement applies to all vessels requiring extinguishers.
Question 3
A vessel's navigation lights show a white light aft and a combined red/green
light forward, but no sternlight. Which rule under COLREGS is violated?
A. Rule 21(b) - sidelights must be separate.
B. Rule 23(a) - power-driven vessels underway must exhibit sidelights,
masthead light, and sternlight.
C. Rule 25(a) - sailing vessels shall exhibit sidelights and sternlight.
D. Rule 30 - anchoring lights are required.
Correct Answer: B - Rule 23(a) - power-driven vessels underway
must exhibit sidelights, masthead light, and sternlight.
RATIONALE
Rule 23(a) requires a power-driven vessel underway to exhibit
sidelights, a masthead light, and a sternlight; the absence of a
sternlight violates this rule. Option A is incorrect because combined
lanterns are permitted for vessels under 20 m. Option C applies to
sailing vessels, not power-driven. Option D applies only when
anchored.
Page 3
, Question 4
A PWC operator is observed crossing a river at high speed while towing a
wakeboarder without a rearview mirror or observer. Which combination of
violations applies?
A. Only violation is lack of observer; mirror is optional.
B. Violation of towing requirements and PWC operational restrictions.
C. No violation if the PWC has a self-canceling lanyard.
D. Violation only if operating in a no-wake zone.
Correct Answer: B - Violation of towing requirements and PWC
operational restrictions.
RATIONALE
PWCs may not be used to tow a person unless equipped with a mirror
or an observer, and many states prohibit PWC towing altogether; the
scenario violates both the towing equipment rule and PWC operational
restrictions. Option A is incorrect because a mirror can substitute for
an observer. Option C is irrelevant. Option D is incorrect because the
violation occurs regardless of wake zone.
Question 5
An inspector documents a vessel with a fuel system lacking a backfire flame
arrestor on a gasoline inboard engine. Under 46 CFR 25.35, what is the correct
VSC disposition?
A. Acceptable if the engine is equipped with a fuel injection system.
B. Deficiency - a USCG-approved backfire flame arrestor is required on
all gasoline inboard engines.
C. Acceptable if the vessel is used only in fresh water.
D. Deficiency only if the engine is over 200 horsepower.
Correct Answer: B - Deficiency - a USCG-approved backfire
flame arrestor is required on all gasoline inboard engines.
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