California Boating Exam: Questions &
Answers
Question : Under which condition is a person at greatest rick
of developing hypothermia?
Correct answer: Being immersed in cold water
Question : How will a boat perform if it is loaded beyond its
capacity?
Correct answer: It will be difficult to control
Question : A life jacket on your vessel should be sized for
which person on board?
Correct answer: It's intended wearer
Question : On a 15ft boat, which object is required to be on-
board?
Correct answer: One Coast Guard approved life jacket for
each person
Question : When is it a good advice for adults to wear Coast
Guard approved life jackets?
Correct answer: When in bad weather
Question : What should be done with a badly discolored
Coast Guard approved life jacket with a torn strap?
Correct answer: Discard and replace it
Question : When operating a boat near other boats or when
entering a congested area, why should you watch your wake?
Correct answer: It may cause personal injury or damage.
Question : Which of the following is recommended as part of
the annual maintenance program for a gasoline powered boat?
Correct answer: Examination of thru-hull fittings for sign of
leakage or corrosion.
Question : Who has the primary responsibility for the safety
of all persons aboard a recreational boat?
Correct answer: Boat operator
Question : In what part of the boat are gasoline fumes most
likely to accumulate?
Correct answer: Bilge
Question : How does alcohol use affect boat operators or
passengers?
Correct answer: Physical reactions become slower
Question : Under the influence of alcohol, what happens to a
persons reasoning ability?
Correct answer: It becomes weaker
Question : How does drinking alcohol while boating effect
other conditions related to being out on the water?
Correct answer: Increases feeling of fatigue
Question : What should you do first if a passenger falls
overboard while your boat is at anchor?
Correct answer: Throw a type IV Coast Guard approved life
jacket to the passenger
Question : Which is the most important factor in determining
a safe vessel speed on any given day?
Correct answer: Traffic Density
Question : According to the navigation rules, what factor
should be considered in determining a safe speed?
Correct answer: The state of visibilty
Question : when a power driven vessel is being overtaken by
a sailboat, which is the stand-on vessel?
Correct answer: The power driven vessel
Question : What immediate action should you take when
operating a boat if you hear the fog signal of another boat you cannot see?