NEW JERSEY Official Boating Safety Course Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025/2026 Latest Release

NEW JERSEY Official Boating Safety Course Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025/2026 Latest Release **Chapter One: Understanding Your Boat** - The side of the boat referred to as the **port** side is on the **left**. Left - The **starboard** side of the boat is on the **right**. Right - Two primary categories for boat hull types are **displacement** and **planing**. Displacement & Planing - The three common types of hull designs are: 1. **Round bottom** 2. **Flat bottom** 3. **Vee bottom** I. Round bottom II. Flat bottom III. Vee bottom - Boats are categorized by their length into four main groups: 1. Over 16 feet 2. 16 to over 26 feet 3. 26 to over 40 feet 4. 40 to over 65 feet I: >16 II: 16 to >26 III: 26 to >40 IV: 40 to >65 - Four major engine types used in boats: 1. **Inboard** 2. **Outboard** 3. **Stern drive** 4. **Jet drive** Inboard, Outboard, Stern drive, Jet drive - Stern drive and inboard engines are modifications of **automobile engines** for use in boats. Automotive engines adapted for marine use. - The **U.S. Coast Guard** classifies personal watercraft as **inboard vessels**. Inboard vessels - True or False: Personal watercraft are exempt from the regulations that apply to other boats. False 1 Impeller - An **impeller** is a device that forces water through a steering nozzle at the boat's rear under pressure. --- **Chapter Two: Pre-Departure Checklist** - The **capacity plate** of an outboard boat shows: 1. The **maximum number of people or weight** the boat can carry 2. The recommended **horsepower** for the boat Recommended maximum horsepower I. Capacity (# of pounds or people) II. - Before embarking on an extended trip, make sure to include the following in your **float plan**: 1. A description of the boat (e.g., number, make, and size) 2. A list of passengers (names, addresses, and numbers) 3. A trip itinerary (starting point, destination) I. Description of vessel II. List of passengers III. Trip plan - While fueling your vessel, ensure you: 1. Keep the nozzle in contact with the fuel opening 2. Fill the tank slowly and avoid spills 3. Never overfill I. Keep the nozzle in contact with the fuel opening II. Fill tank slowly & avoid spilling III. Never fill to the brim - A practical rule to prevent running out of fuel on a PWC is: **1/3 for going out, 1/3 for coming back, 1/3 in reserve**. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 - If the combined weight of the boat and its engine exceeds **90% of the recommended trailer load capacity**, upgrade to a larger trailer. 90% - "Tongue weight" refers to the portion of the loaded trailer's weight that presses down on the **towing hitch**. presses down on the towing hitch - Use **two strong safety chains**, crisscrossed, to support the trailer's coupler if it disconnects from the tow vehicle. crisscrossed - Always prepare your boat for launching at a location **well away from the ramp**. Well away from the boat ramp 2 - Tips for maintaining your engine: 1. Keep it well-tuned, lubricated, and greased 2. Monitor oil levels and change oil regularly 3. Inspect batteries and check for loose parts I. Keep well tuned/grease & lubricate II. Check oil levels/change oil III. Check batteries/check for anything loose --- **Chapter Three: Safe Boat Operation** stern line - When leaving the dock, cast off the **stern line** first if the wind or current is pushing toward the dock. - The **give-way vessel** must take early and significant action to avoid a collision by either slowing down, stopping, or changing course. give-way vessel - The **stand-on vessel** should maintain its speed and course unless it becomes clear that the **give way vessel** is not taking adequate action. maintain its course and speed...... it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action - If meeting another powerboat head-on, always keep to the **right**. right - True or False: When overtaking another vessel, you are the **give-way vessel**. False - True or False: If you see both a red and white light ahead while boating at night, maintain your course and speed. False - If you spot only a **green** light while boating at night, you may be approaching a **sailing vessel**, and you should **give way**. sailing vessel..... give way - **Buoys and markers** are the navigation tools that guide boaters safely along their course. Buoys and markers - The phrase "Red, Right, Returning" serves as a reminder for the correct course according to the U.S. Aids to Navigation System. Red, Right, Returning - A **green buoy** with an odd number marks the left side of the channel for boaters heading **upstream** or entering from the open sea. left - An **orange diamond** regulatory marker indicates **danger**. danger - An **orange diamond with an "X"** indicates areas that are **off-limits** to vessels. off-limits 3 - A good guideline is that your anchor line should be **7 to 10 times the water depth**. 7-10 - Never anchor from the **stern** of the vessel as it can cause instability. stern - To maintain control of a PWC, avoid allowing the engine to either **return to idle** or **shut off**. return to idle/shut off - Common complaints from boaters regarding PWC operators include **wake jumping** and **riding too close**. wake jumping & riding too close - As a courtesy to others, PWC operators should **vary** their operating area. vary - A **kill switch** (emergency ignition safety switch) is a safety feature that shuts off the engine if the operator is thrown off. Emergency ignition safety switch (kill switch) --- To avoid propeller strike accidents, make sure _________________ when passengers are boarding or disembarking a boat. the engine is shut off CHAPTER FOUR THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF BOATING The _______________ is a number assigned and imprinted by the vessel manufacturer and is unique to your vessel. Hull identification number Allowing passengers to ride on the _______ or ______ while underway is reckless operation. bow/gunwale If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit, it is illegal to _______ a vessel. operate In order for a PFD to be legal it must be _________-approved in _____ condition and ___________ accessible. U.S. Coast Guard/good & serviceable/readily Five types of PFDs. II. Near-shore vest III. Floatation aid I. Offshore life jacket 4 IV. Throw-able device V. Special-use device These Type __ PFDs are _______ devices, and most states require at least one of these to be on board vessels 16 feet in length or longer. IV, throw-able PWC operators, no matter what age, must wear an approved _________ whenever underway. personal flotation device (PFD) Fire extinguishers should be placed in an area that is _________ and not near the __________. accessible..... engine It is recommended that you wait at least _____, minutes after turning on your vessel's blower (if so equipped) and before staring your engine. four For an 18-foot powerboat, required navigation lights include a red light on the ______, a green light on the __________ and _______________. port side.... starboard side..... a white light. A 16 foot canoe away from dock after dark must have on hand at least a _________ or ____________. f lashlight/lantern Two visual distress signals (VDSs) for use at night. II. Electric light Describe the appearance of a divers flag. I. Red flares/meteors Red flag with white diagonal stripe. If an observer is on board when pulling a skier behind a vessel, the vessel should be rated to carry at least ______ people. three True or False: Water-skiers may be towed at night with proper lighting. False 5 It is illegal to discharge ________, ________, or ________ into federally controlled or state waters. waste/oil/trash You must report any accident you are involved in if it results in ________, _________, or ____________. death/serious injury/significant property damage CHAPTER FIVE BOATING EMERGENCIES... WHAT TO DO In a typical boating fatality, life jackets are _____ but not _______. on the boat.... not being worn Three boating stressors that make you tire more rapidly when on the water. II. Motion III. Noise/Vibration of engine I. Glare/heat of sun To prevent dehydration while on the water, you should drink some water at least _______________. every 15-20 minutes One-_________ of the amount of alcohol that makes a person legally intoxicated on land can be enough to make someone equally intoxicated when on the water. third __________ is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Alcohol An easy way to remember priorities for rescuing someone who has fallen into the water is ______, _______, _______, and _________! Reach, Throw, Row, Go True or False: If you capsize, immediately swim to shore to ensure your safety. Four things you should do if a fire erupts on your boat while underway. PFD II. Keep fire downwind False I. Stop the vessel/Put on 6 III. Shut off fuel supply IV. Aim extinguisher at base of flames The condition called _________ occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. hypothermia The primary danger during the first 3-5 minutes being immersed in cold water is ______________________ ______________________________________. and drowning involuntary gasping, resulting in water inhalation The position you should assume if trapped in cold water, "HELP," stands for: E: Escape L: Lessening P: Posture Four symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. II. Headache III. Nausea IV. Weakness/Dizziness I. Irritated eyes Bleeding can usually be controlled by applying _______ to the wound. H: Heat direct pressure CHAPTER SIX ENJOYING WATER SPORTS WITH YOUR BOAT As the operator of a vessel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passengers understand _______ and ________. basic safety practices & laws Before allowing anyone to operate your PWC, you should remind them that power is _____________________. required for steering control 7 To protect the environment you should practice the three "Rs"- R______, R_______, R__________. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle If you capsize in a canoe, kayak, or raft, you should stay on the _________ side of the craft. upstream Three river hazards that paddlers should avoid. II. Rapids III. Strainers I. Low-head dams When picking up a skier, always keep them in view and on the _________ side of the boat. operators Water ski commands: Holding ski OK symbol Thumbs down Hand pointed left, out II. OK speed III. Slow down IV. Turn right I. Skier down In addition to a displayed diver-down flag, what indicates that a diver may be below the water's surface? Bubbles. When passing under power lines and bridges, sailboat operators need to be aware of the ________________. masthead clearance. 8 life Hunters who use vessels to get their hunting spot should always wear their ____________. jackets (PFDs). 9