Boat Safety and Capacity Guidelines

Questions and Answers

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? (Select all that apply)

Weather with winds up to 154 knots

Rainy weather

Weather with winds up to 76 knots

Good weather (correct)

Which of these should be included in your float plan for a weekend trip? (Select all that apply)

Names and addresses of your passengers (correct)

Chart showing planning speed vs. fuel use

Onboard location of food and cooking utensils

Your boat's horsepower rating

What should you do with your float plan for a weekend water outing?

Fax it to the nearest U.S. Coast Guard station

Stow it with the boat's registration papers

Leave it with a friend or relative (correct)

Mail it to your home address

Where should portable gasoline fuel tanks be filled?

On the dock Signup and view all the answers

Which fueling practice is safe?

Filling portable fuel tanks on the fuel dock Signup and view all the answers

What factor determines a boat's required equipment?

Length of boat Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with using your boat's engine to drive it onto a trailer?

The propeller's wash can create a large hole just beyond the ramp Signup and view all the answers

How full should you fill the fuel tank on a PWC?

Leave a little empty space in the tank Signup and view all the answers

When moored to a dock, what should you do before casting off while you warm up the engine?

Make sure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket Signup and view all the answers

Which side of a boat has a green light at night?

Starboard (right) Signup and view all the answers

Which vessel should display yellow lights when towing?

Commercial vessel Signup and view all the answers

You are operating a powerboat at night. Your green sidelight must be visible to boats approaching from which direction(s)?

Head-on and starboard (right) Signup and view all the answers

You are operating a powerboat at night. You see red and white lights on another boat. What do these lights tell you?

You must give way to the other vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is the best source for a complete listing of navigation rules that apply to recreational boaters?

U.S. Coast Guard Signup and view all the answers

Two powerboats are about to cross paths. What should the boat on the starboard (right) do?

Maintain course and speed, but stay alert Signup and view all the answers

A sailboat and a PWC are meeting head-on. Which one is the stand-on vessel?

Sailboat Signup and view all the answers

One boat is overtaking another. Which boat must give way?

The boat that is overtaking Signup and view all the answers

You are out on the water in foggy conditions. You hear one prolonged blast every two minutes. What does this sound signal mean?

I am a power-driven vessel underway Signup and view all the answers

Which of these anchors is a good choice for most recreational boats?

Fluke-style Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to avoid being run over by your own PWC or motorboat?

Wear an ignition safety switch lanyard Signup and view all the answers

Which class of boats has priority when using river locks?

Commercial boats Signup and view all the answers

You are traveling upstream on a river. You see a green square daymark. What should you do?

Keep the marker on your port (left) side Signup and view all the answers

You see a white marker with red vertical stripes. What type of marker is this?

Safe water marker Signup and view all the answers

Which symbol on a regulatory marker indicates hazards such as rocks or stumps?

Orange diamond Signup and view all the answers

You see a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering. What does this marker tell you?

Keep out Signup and view all the answers

What is needed for steering control on a PWC?

Power to the jet drive Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?

Pump intake area Signup and view all the answers

If you are involved in a boating accident, what is the FIRST thing you must do?

Stop and assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident Signup and view all the answers

Which vessel requires that the operator be at least 14 years of age to operate on Washington waters?

Personal watercraft (PWC) Signup and view all the answers

Under Washington law, what blood or breath alcohol concentration, present in a vessel operator, is considered to be boat operation under the influence (BUI)?

0.08% Signup and view all the answers

When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?

During periods of restricted visibility Signup and view all the answers

By law, what age must children wear a USCG-approved life jacket when underway on the open deck of a vessel less than 19 feet in length?

12 years old and younger Signup and view all the answers

What must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers whenever a vessel is operated?

Registration information Signup and view all the answers

According to Washington law, during what hours is it legal to operate a personal watercraft?

Sunrise to sunset Signup and view all the answers

When a vessel is towing a skier, what are the legal requirements for observing that skier?

A capable observer must be on board and report the skier's progress to the operator Signup and view all the answers

A boat operator is involved in an accident in which a person is injured and requires hospitalization. How quickly must the operator file a boating accident report?

Within 48 hours Signup and view all the answers

In Washington, how old must a person be to legally operate a personal watercraft?

At least 14 years of age Signup and view all the answers

If convicted for boat operation under the influence (BUI), how long can you be imprisoned?

364 days Signup and view all the answers

In addition to an all-round white light, what light(s) must power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long exhibit when underway between sunset and sunrise?

Red and green sidelights Signup and view all the answers

In addition to the required wearable PFD(s), what other equipment must you have on board if your vessel is 16 feet or longer?

Type IV USCG-approved throwable PFD Signup and view all the answers

Which action would be legal for personal watercraft?

Attach the lanyard of an ignition switch to the operator's PFD Signup and view all the answers

What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Navy boat?

100 yards Signup and view all the answers

A passenger on your boat has irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. These are early symptoms of what injury?

Carbon monoxide poisoning Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of cold water immersion?

Cold shock Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after your boat runs aground and you determine that there are no leaks?

Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook Signup and view all the answers

Someone falls into the water from a dock. What is the proper sequence of actions to help this person?

Reach, row, throw, go Signup and view all the answers

What type of fire can be put out safely with water?

Paper Signup and view all the answers

For most people, how many alcoholic drinks does it take before judgment and physical reaction time are impaired?

One Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of most boating accidents?

Human error Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to check the buoyancy of your PFD?

Wear the PFD in shallow water or a swimming pool Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about life jackets is true?

Life jackets are difficult to put on in the water Signup and view all the answers

You are caught in severe weather while boating. What should you do?

Slow down but maintain headway and steering Signup and view all the answers

While boating, you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does this flag mean?

Diver underwater in the immediate area Signup and view all the answers

What safety precaution should you take when hunting from a boat?

Always remain seated while shooting Signup and view all the answers

Which action shows responsibility toward the aquatic environment?

Using phosphate-free products to clean a boat Signup and view all the answers

What is the likelihood of drowning for paddlers in small boats (such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts)?

Paddlers are more than twice as likely to drown Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the second person on a boat towing a skier?

Watch the skier Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Boat Capacity and Float Plans

A boat's capacity plate indicates maximum allowed weight and number of occupants under good weather conditions.
A float plan should include the names and addresses of passengers for safety.
Float plans should be left with a friend or relative before going on a water outing.

Fueling Safety

Always fill portable gasoline fuel tanks on the dock, not on the boat.
The safest fueling practice includes filling portable tanks specifically at the fuel dock.
Ensure all ventilation systems are off while fueling to avoid ignition.

Boat Equipment and Operation Guidelines

A boat's required equipment is determined by its length, not speed or storage capacity.
Avoid using the engine to drive the boat onto a trailer to prevent damage from propeller wash.
PWC (Personal Watercraft) fuel tanks should be filled leaving some empty space to avoid spills.

Safety Measures and Regulations

Everyone on board must wear life jackets when starting the engine.
Starboard (right) side of a boat has a green light for navigation at night.
Commercial vessels are required to display yellow lights when towing other vessels.

Boats must give way to the vessel on their starboard side; maintaining course is essential.
A sailboat is the stand-on vessel when meeting a PWC head-on.
Understand navigation signals; prolonged blasts indicate a power-driven vessel is underway.

Legal and Registration Considerations

Operators of personal watercraft must be at least 14 years old in Washington.
Registration information must be available for inspection on all operating vessels.
A boating accident report must be filed within 48 hours if there are injuries.

Operational Limits and Alcohol Policies

Under Washington law, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% and above is considered BUI.
The operator of a vessel must use navigation lights during periods of restricted visibility and at night.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Regulations

Children 12 years old and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on vessels under 19 feet.
A Type IV throwable PFD is required on vessels 16 feet or longer in addition to wearable devices.

Boating Environment and Safety Precautions

Always assist anyone injured in a boating accident as the first priority.
In the event of cold water immersion, the first stage is cold shock, which can affect physical abilities.
Safety protocols like maintaining a 100-yard distance from U.S. Navy boats and recognizing dangerous symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are crucial.

Environmental Responsibility

Use phosphate-free products for cleaning boats to show environmental responsibility.
Properly disposing of waste and harmful materials instead of tossing them into the water protects aquatic life.

Drowning Risks and Observational Roles

Paddlers are significantly more likely to drown compared to other boaters, with a risk factor more than twice as high.
A designated observer is necessary on boats towing skiers to ensure their safety.

Emergency Readiness

In emergencies, signal safety, and rescue protocols by following established sequences like reach, throw, row, go to assist individuals in the water.
Knowing how to handle severe weather situations while boating is vital; slow down and maintain steering without abandoning safety equipment.

Other Important Skills and Knowledge

Understanding the signs of hazards on navigation markers, with an orange diamond indicating objects like rocks or stumps.
Awareness of the significance of colored navigation lights, with red and green sidelights required for vessels under 20 meters during night operations.

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Description

Test your knowledge on boat safety measures, float plans, and operating guidelines. Understand the importance of capacity limits, fueling safety, and required equipment for safe boating. This quiz will ensure you're well-versed in essential boating regulations.