SAFE POWERBOAT HANDLING EXAM B PO Box 1260 Portsmouth, RI 02871 Tel 401 683-0800 Fax 401 683-0840 powerboat@ussailing.org www.uspowerboating.com US Powerboating an affiliate of US Sailing
SAFE POWERBOAT HANDLING EXAM 1. There are a total of 50 questions. 2. Each question is worth 2 points. 3. A score of 80% is required to pass. 4. There is a makeup exam available for those who do not pass. No. Missed Score -1 = 98% -2 = 96% -3 = 94% -4 = 92% -5 = 90% -6 = 88% -7 = 86% -8 = 84% -9 = 82% -10 = 80% - Passing Grade -11 = 78% - Fail (To compute failing grades, subtract the number of questions missed from 50, and then multiply remainder by 2.)
1 SAFE POWERBOAT HANDLING EXAM B There are 50 Multiple Choice questions in this exam. Read each question carefully and select the best answer. There is one best answer for each question. Write all answers on your Answer Sheet. DO NOT MARK ANY ANSWERS ON THIS EXAM. 1. When anchoring a powerboat with a 3-foot freeboard in a water depth of 7 feet and tide is not a factor, how much anchor rode should you let out for a scope of 5:1? a. 50 feet b. 35 feet c. 21 feet d. 14 feet 6. What does it mean if you see a boat displaying this blue and white flag? a. the boat is in serious distress or danger. b. diving operations; restricted maneuverability c. marks area restricted only for waterskiing. d. injured person; assistance requested. 2. When a boat is overtaking another, which boat shall keep out of the way of the other? a. slower boat b. smaller boat c. overtaking boat d. boat with better control 3. What does a white buoy that has this orange diamond symbol indicate? a. a controlled area b. a danger near it c. to be left to port d. to be left to starboard 7. When returning from the sea in U.S. waters, what does this green navigation aid indicate? a. the middle of a narrow channel b. preferred channel to starboard c. right side of a channel entering a harbor d. left side of a channel entering a harbor 4. If two powerboats are heading directly at each other in a head-on situation, what should be done to avoid a collision? a. the larger boat shall alter its course. b. the smaller boat shall alter its course. c. both boats shall alter course to port. d. both boats shall alter course to starboard. 8. Which of the following is an example of a negligent or grossly negligent operation of a boat? a. bowriding or riding on the seatback or transom b. disregarding a safe water aid to navigation c. operating in an unrestricted channel for ships d. operating when no float plan has been filed with U.S.C.G. 5. When entering a harbor from the sea in U.S. waters, which mark identifies the right side of a channel? a. red mark with odd numbers b. green mark with odd numbers c. red mark with even numbers d. green mark with even numbers
2 9. Which of the following is part of the homeland security measures to prevent attacks? a. boats must pass 100 yards from a safe water mark. b. boats must not stop or anchor under bridges. c. boats must have a special pass to operate in channels. d. boats are required to have a vessel safety inspection. 10. Which of the following is the best reason to wear a life jacket while on board a boat? a. it makes it easier for the operator to see you in the cockpit. b. it enables a safety head count while operating at high speed. c. it is difficult to put on a life jacket in the water if you fall overboard. d. it provides safety protection for exposure to sun and humidity. 11. If a person falls overboard and you don t see him, what maneuver do you use to return back along your track to the position where he disappeared? a. Williamson turn b. Lifesling return c. Race track turn d. Zee return 12. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, in which of the following conditions is a boat more likely to capsize? a. operating at higher speeds b. operating in flood currents c. improper capacity limit plate d. improper weight distribution 13. Which of the following people should be counted when determining the number of life jackets to carry on board a vessel? a. only non-swimmers b. only those under 12 years c. everyone aboard the boat d. only those who are on deck 14. When rescuing a person who has fallen overboard and physical contact has been made, what is the next stage in the procedure? a. attach the person to the boat with a line. b. anchor the boat and make a distress call. c. put a person in the water to assist the PIW. d. shift the engine into creeping reverse. 15. If life jackets are not being used, where should they be stowed on a boat? a. a locker below deck under foul weather gear b. a location where they are readily accessible c. in plastic bags in a locker with limited access d. in plastic bags in a locked compartment 16. What should you do if you are firmly aground, and there is no serious damage to the boat and the tide is rising? a. rock the boat free by shifting gears back and forth. b. shift to reverse and open the throttle to high speed. c. wait for the tide to rise and float the boat off. d. make a Mayday distress call to summon help. 17. When must a life jacket be replaced? a. has a broken zipper, strap or buckle. b. has permanent stains on both sides. c. has faded but readable approval label. d. its color is very faded and not obvious. 18. Which of the following affect the safe speed of your boat as defined by the Navigation Rules? a. type of traffic and no wake zones b. float plan and depth of water c. boat type and safety equipment d. visibility and density of traffic 19. What should you do if your boat catches on fire at sea and the fire extinguishers cannot put it out? a. steer the boat into the wind while running at high speed. b. get everyone on deck upwind in life jackets and alert rescuers. c. run the boat at full speed to the nearest land or shore. d. instruct everyone to abandon ship immediately.
3 20. What are the effects of alcohol use on boaters? a. impairs vision and judgment. b. reduces adverse effects of sun. c. reduces adverse effects of fatigue. d. increases situational awareness. 26. When is a proper lookout required? a. only in limited visibility b. only in special cases c. only applies between ships d. at all times of operation 21. Which statement applies to orange smoke visual distress signals? a. meet the requirements for sound signal use. b. meet the requirements for both day and night. c. meet the requirements for only night use. d. meet the requirements for only day use. 22. How is a proper lookout conducted as required by the Navigation Rules? a. by log and binoculars b. by mobile phone and radio c. by hearing and sight d. by sight and feel 23. Under federal regulations, what is required equipment for all vessels operating from sunset to sunrise? a. two sound-producing devices b. compass with a night light c. observer as well as an operator d. appropriate navigation lights 24. How are fire extinguishers identified by the type and size of fire they can put out? a. color of the containers b. letters and numbers c. design of the containers d. size of the containers 25. Which of the following is an example of a negligent or grossly negligent operation of a boat? a. driving with speed in an unrestricted channel b. passing outside an official traffic separation scheme c. operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs d. failure to file a float plan with the U.S. Coast Guard 27. What should you do before filling a tank with gasoline on board a boat? a. close all hatches and openings. b. open all hatches and openings. c. close all air vents for the tank. d. turn on blower by running engine. 28. Which of the following is included in the definition of safe speed in the Navigation Rules? a. be stopped in three boat lengths in limited visibility conditions. b. be stopped within appropriate distance for the circumstances. c. applies for powered vessels but not for sailing vessels. d. applies for give-way vessels but not for stand-on vessels. 29. What is the effect of alcohol use on a person who falls overboard? a. increases core temperature and reduces shivering. b. reduces the effects of hypothermia while in the water. c. warms the body and extends survival time in the water. d. hastens heat loss and shortens survival time in the water. 30. What should you expect if the weather forecast is reporting that a low pressure system will arrive during the day? a. rain and gentle winds b. sun and gentle winds c. rain and stronger winds d. sun and strong winds 31. Which of the following should be part of the regular inspection of a boat before departure? a. any leaks in the flame manifold b. any leaks in the fuel system c. condition of the waterline d. condition of the motor impeller
4 32. What should you do before departing from the marina for a day on the water with your guests? a. conduct a crew briefing. b. call U.S. Coast Guard. c. give three horn blasts. d. seek approval of marina. 33. Which is the preferred approach to a mooring when current is not a factor? a. stern pointing into the wind b. wind abeam of the boat c. bow pointing into the wind d. wind on the boat s quarter 34. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, what are the leading causes of fatalities for people who use a boat to hunt or fish? a. sinkings and getting lost b. capsizing and falling overboard c. collisions with other vessels d. collisions with fixed objects 35. Which of the following applies to an operator s responsibility to comply with the Navigation Rules? a. the Navigation Rules no longer apply to you if your boat has an equipment failure. b. you may not deviate from the Navigation Rules even to avoid immediate danger. c. nothing in the Rules excuses your failure to follow them if you have an accident. d. you are not at fault as the stand-on boat if the give-way boat fails to keep clear. 36. Which statement applies to a boat s capacity plate? a. contains the boat s VRN (Vessel Registration Number). b. indicates the size and capacity of the boat s fuel tank. c. must be installed by dealer or boat owner at the time of purchase. d. indicates maximum weight capacity of passengers, engine, gear. 37. If you hear a fog signal from another vessel forward of your boat s beam in restricted visibility, what should you do? a. sound a fog signal every two minutes and maintain normal speed. b. reduce your speed to minimum control and be prepared to stop. c. alter your course to port and reduce your speed to half-speed. d. alter your course to starboard and reduce your speed to half-speed 38. After hauling a boat out of the water, what should you do to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (such as zebra mussels) before using the boat in other waters? a. wipe down boat and trailer with phosphatebased cleaner. b. spray boat and trailer with a strong disinfectant. c. rinse and flush only the outboard motor with fresh water. d. wash boat, outboard motor and trailer with fresh water. 39. What do reflex gasping and hyperventilation indicate? a. cold shock response b. hypothermia c. heat stroke d. heat exhaustion 40. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? a. shivering, numbness, glassy stare b. shivering, cool & moist skin c. headache, nausea, dizziness d. heavy sweating and numbness 41. How can you determine whether there are local hazards such as missing navigation marks, bridge closures or dredging that could affect your trip? a. checking Local Notice to Mariners b. checking Marine Safe Boating office c. calling nearest Coast Guard office d. calling Vessel Safety Check provider
5 42. What should you do when picking up and bringing aboard a person in the water with a propeller-driven boat? a. keep the engine at idle in neutral gear. b. turn off engine when near the person. c. back boat stern first toward the person. d. back boat downwind toward the person. 43. Which of the following is required when operating or riding on a personal watercraft? a. carrying a VHF radio b. carrying navigation lights c. using a reverse deflector d. wearing life jackets 44. How do jet drives generate thrust to maneuver a jet-propelled boat or personal watercraft? a. a pump and nozzle accelerates water which exits the nozzle as a propulsive jet. b. a jet converter changes the cooling water in an engine to a propulsive jet of water. c. a combustion jet engine circulates cooling water as a high speed water jet. d. a generator produces a jet of water which exits through the generator s exhaust. 45. Which of the following apply to personal watercraft? a. are required to carry a paddle, anchor, anchor line, flashlight and flares. b. observe all navigation aids and rules while operating during day and night. c. are required to be equipped with navigation lights for night operation. d. comply with same equipment requirements as boats of the same size. 47. Why should powerboat operators be particularly careful when operating near a canoe or kayak? a. there is a paddle craft speed limit. b. boat wake can cause capsizing. c. there is a risk of running aground. d. canoes & kayaks have exclusion zones. 48. Which of the following should be done when launching a boat from a ramp? a. detach winch cable in parking lot. b. remove and stow the drain plugs. c. remove tie-downs before launching. d. disconnect fuel line attachments. 49. Which of the following is required by the Navigation Rules? a. display red and green sidelights when anchored. b. alter course and speed if your boat is being overtaken. c. operate on the port side of a narrow channel. d. render assistance to a person in danger at sea. 50. Why should life jackets be worn? a. they reduce stress effects of sun and humidity. b. if you loose your footing and fall overboard. c. federal regulations require them to be worn. d. state laws require wearing them on all boats. 46. Under federal regulations, when are you permitted to waterski? a. sunrise until sunset b. dawn until twilight c. ½ hour before sunrise until ½ after sunset d. 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.