BOAT ED PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What should you do if you fall overboard into cold water? - Answers :Try to reboard your
boat, even if it is swamped.
Under federal law, which type of boat must have a capacity plate? - Answers :single-hull
boats less than 20 feet in length
What is every vessel operator required to do? - Answers :Take all necessary action to
avoid a collision.
You are operating during a period of restricted visibility. What should you do? - Answers
:Operate with caution and slow to "idle speed."
Where must the expiration decal be placed on a vessel? - Answers :three inches behind
the number on each side of the vessel
Under Wisconsin law, how far from shore must a PWC be if it is going faster than "slow,
no wake speed" on a lake? - Answers :200 feet
Which of the following describes "slow, no wake speed" under Wisconsin law? -
Answers :a speed at which the vessel moves as slowly as possible while still
maintaining steerage control
Under Wisconsin law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration is considered to be
boating under the influence? - Answers :0.08% or greater
When are you allowed to refuse to follow instructions from a law enforcement officer? -
Answers :never
Which of these is a factor when determining the safe speed for a vessel? - Answers
:traffic density
Which of these would be considered a safe speed? - Answers :being able to stop within
an appropriate distance
How do most anchors hold a recreational boat in place? - Answers :by digging into the
bottom when pulled horizontally
You are traveling upstream on a river at dusk. You see a buoy with the number 4 and a
flashing red light. What should you do? - Answers :Keep the buoy on your starboard
(right) side.
What color is a marker that indicates safe water on all sides? - Answers :white with red
vertical stripes
, How can propeller strike accidents be avoided? - Answers :Turn off the engine when
passengers are boarding
Where is the steering nozzle located on a PWC? - Answers :at the back of the unit
What should you leave with a friend or relative before a long outing on the water? -
Answers :float plan
What is the best way to check for gas fumes after fueling a PWC? - Answers :smell for
fumes
What is good for cleaning your vessel and does not harm lakes or rivers? - Answers
:non-phosphate products
You are getting ready to launch your boat. Where should you park to load your
equipment and gear? - Answers :well away from the boat ramp and approach lane
When preparing to dock, what is the safest way to stop the forward motion of your boat?
- Answers :shift into reverse gear
When must navigation lights be displayed? - Answers :From sunset to sunrise and
when visibility is restricted
A PWC is overtaking another vessel. Which vessel must give way? - Answers :The
PWC
What should the operator of a stand-on vessel do when encountering a give-way
vessel? - Answers :Maintain course and speed unless the give-way vessel does not
take action.
What should you do to avoid colliding with another vessel? - Answers :keep a proper
lookout for other vessels at all times
Which operators are required to maintain a proper lookout? - Answers :those operating
any type of vessel
What should a PWC operator do to minimize the risk of accident or injury? - Answers
:Be aware of all traffic in the boating area.
The motor on a PWC is running. Which part of the PWC can cause severe internal
injuries? - Answers :steering nozzle
Which of these is most likely to create a boating hazard around river bridges? - Answers
:debris collecting around pilings
What should you do if you fall overboard into cold water? - Answers :Try to reboard your
boat, even if it is swamped.
Under federal law, which type of boat must have a capacity plate? - Answers :single-hull
boats less than 20 feet in length
What is every vessel operator required to do? - Answers :Take all necessary action to
avoid a collision.
You are operating during a period of restricted visibility. What should you do? - Answers
:Operate with caution and slow to "idle speed."
Where must the expiration decal be placed on a vessel? - Answers :three inches behind
the number on each side of the vessel
Under Wisconsin law, how far from shore must a PWC be if it is going faster than "slow,
no wake speed" on a lake? - Answers :200 feet
Which of the following describes "slow, no wake speed" under Wisconsin law? -
Answers :a speed at which the vessel moves as slowly as possible while still
maintaining steerage control
Under Wisconsin law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration is considered to be
boating under the influence? - Answers :0.08% or greater
When are you allowed to refuse to follow instructions from a law enforcement officer? -
Answers :never
Which of these is a factor when determining the safe speed for a vessel? - Answers
:traffic density
Which of these would be considered a safe speed? - Answers :being able to stop within
an appropriate distance
How do most anchors hold a recreational boat in place? - Answers :by digging into the
bottom when pulled horizontally
You are traveling upstream on a river at dusk. You see a buoy with the number 4 and a
flashing red light. What should you do? - Answers :Keep the buoy on your starboard
(right) side.
What color is a marker that indicates safe water on all sides? - Answers :white with red
vertical stripes
, How can propeller strike accidents be avoided? - Answers :Turn off the engine when
passengers are boarding
Where is the steering nozzle located on a PWC? - Answers :at the back of the unit
What should you leave with a friend or relative before a long outing on the water? -
Answers :float plan
What is the best way to check for gas fumes after fueling a PWC? - Answers :smell for
fumes
What is good for cleaning your vessel and does not harm lakes or rivers? - Answers
:non-phosphate products
You are getting ready to launch your boat. Where should you park to load your
equipment and gear? - Answers :well away from the boat ramp and approach lane
When preparing to dock, what is the safest way to stop the forward motion of your boat?
- Answers :shift into reverse gear
When must navigation lights be displayed? - Answers :From sunset to sunrise and
when visibility is restricted
A PWC is overtaking another vessel. Which vessel must give way? - Answers :The
PWC
What should the operator of a stand-on vessel do when encountering a give-way
vessel? - Answers :Maintain course and speed unless the give-way vessel does not
take action.
What should you do to avoid colliding with another vessel? - Answers :keep a proper
lookout for other vessels at all times
Which operators are required to maintain a proper lookout? - Answers :those operating
any type of vessel
What should a PWC operator do to minimize the risk of accident or injury? - Answers
:Be aware of all traffic in the boating area.
The motor on a PWC is running. Which part of the PWC can cause severe internal
injuries? - Answers :steering nozzle
Which of these is most likely to create a boating hazard around river bridges? - Answers
:debris collecting around pilings
