BOAT CERTIFICATION EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% PASS
When must navigation lights be displayed?
A. at night when there is a risk of collision with another boat
B. only when adrift at night
C. from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility
D. only when you are anchored or in fog - ANS C
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on land?
a. about the same effect whether on land or out boating
b. much greater effect while boating
c. much greater effect when on land
d. slightly greater effect when on land - ANS A
How do you avoid overloading your vessel?
a. Limit everyone on board to ten pounds of gear.
b. Don't permit large ice chests on board.
c. Don't allow the load weight or number of passengers to exceed the maximum stated on the
capacity plate.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Make sure that there are at least 10 inches of freeboard when
everyone and their gear are on board. - ANS C
A boat's capacity plate gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry
safely in certain weather conditions.
What are these conditions?
a. during hurricanes
b. during thunderstorms
c. in good weather
d. in winds up to 104 knots - ANS A
How full should you fill the fuel tank on a PWC?
a. Leave a little empty space in the tank.
b. Fill the tank all the way up.
c. Tip the PWC to top off the fuel tank.
d. Overfill slightly to avoid any air pocket - ANS C
What determines how many wearable PFDs are required on a vessel?
a. length of the vessel
b. ages of the persons on board
c. number of persons on board
d. type of waterway where vessel is operating - ANS A
Under which condition is a person at the greatest risk of developing hypothermia?
a. after being in the wind for a long time
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, b. when deprived of liquid
c. when exposed to cold air
d. when immersed in cold water - ANS A
Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?
a. in the engine compartment
b. in a locked storage compartment
c. in a readily accessible location
d. in a locker with the dock lines and other gear - ANS C
What do the rating symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate?
a. expiration date of the extinguisher
b. type of fire it will extinguish and relative size of extinguisher
c. number of times the extinguisher can be used
d. recommended frequency of inspections - ANS B
What is the purpose of an inboard engine's ventilation system?
a. provide a flow of fresh air for the cabin area
b. provide a flow of fresh air for the carburetor intake
c. avoid backfiring of the carburetor
d. avoid explosions by removing flammable gases - ANS D
What sound-producing device(s) is required when boating on Rhode Island waters in an 18-foot
powerboat?
a. none
b. some means of making an efficient sound signal capable of a four-second
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% PASS
When must navigation lights be displayed?
A. at night when there is a risk of collision with another boat
B. only when adrift at night
C. from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility
D. only when you are anchored or in fog - ANS C
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on land?
a. about the same effect whether on land or out boating
b. much greater effect while boating
c. much greater effect when on land
d. slightly greater effect when on land - ANS A
How do you avoid overloading your vessel?
a. Limit everyone on board to ten pounds of gear.
b. Don't permit large ice chests on board.
c. Don't allow the load weight or number of passengers to exceed the maximum stated on the
capacity plate.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Make sure that there are at least 10 inches of freeboard when
everyone and their gear are on board. - ANS C
A boat's capacity plate gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry
safely in certain weather conditions.
What are these conditions?
a. during hurricanes
b. during thunderstorms
c. in good weather
d. in winds up to 104 knots - ANS A
How full should you fill the fuel tank on a PWC?
a. Leave a little empty space in the tank.
b. Fill the tank all the way up.
c. Tip the PWC to top off the fuel tank.
d. Overfill slightly to avoid any air pocket - ANS C
What determines how many wearable PFDs are required on a vessel?
a. length of the vessel
b. ages of the persons on board
c. number of persons on board
d. type of waterway where vessel is operating - ANS A
Under which condition is a person at the greatest risk of developing hypothermia?
a. after being in the wind for a long time
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, b. when deprived of liquid
c. when exposed to cold air
d. when immersed in cold water - ANS A
Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?
a. in the engine compartment
b. in a locked storage compartment
c. in a readily accessible location
d. in a locker with the dock lines and other gear - ANS C
What do the rating symbols on a fire extinguisher indicate?
a. expiration date of the extinguisher
b. type of fire it will extinguish and relative size of extinguisher
c. number of times the extinguisher can be used
d. recommended frequency of inspections - ANS B
What is the purpose of an inboard engine's ventilation system?
a. provide a flow of fresh air for the cabin area
b. provide a flow of fresh air for the carburetor intake
c. avoid backfiring of the carburetor
d. avoid explosions by removing flammable gases - ANS D
What sound-producing device(s) is required when boating on Rhode Island waters in an 18-foot
powerboat?
a. none
b. some means of making an efficient sound signal capable of a four-second
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
