Questions and Answers
Which action is safe for a PWC?
A vessel operator involved in an accident must report the accident by the quickest means possible if property damage exceeds what amount?
$2,000
With boater education certification, how old must you be to operate a PWC unsupervised?
at least 13 years of age
In Texas, what blood alcohol concentration constitutes proof that an operator is operating a vessel while intoxicated (BWI)?
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When is a vessel operator required to use navigation lights?
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All vessels must have one life jacket for each person on board. Which vessels also must have one Type IV (throwable) PFD on board?
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Under Texas boating laws, what is required of children under 13 years of age while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long?
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What document must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers whenever a vessel is operated?
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When operating at GREATER THAN headway speed, how far must a PWC stay from another boat or PWC?
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You are towing a skier with a PWC and have an observer on board. How many people must the PWC be rated to carry?
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What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Navy boat?
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What condition is often confused with the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning?
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What is the main reason for assuming the HELP position when you are stranded in the water?
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Your boat runs aground at high speed. What should you do FIRST?
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A passenger on a small boat falls overboard. How should this person be pulled back onto the boat?
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What type of fire can be put out safely with water?
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For most people, how many alcoholic drinks does it take before judgment and physical reaction time are impaired?
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You are boating in warm weather. How much water should you drink to minimize the risk of dehydration?
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What should you do if a PFD has a tear in the outer fabric?
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What is the best way to check the buoyancy of your PFD?
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You are caught in a storm in your boat. What should you do?
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What does a diver-down flag look like?
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How should you pass a fishing boat?
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You are operating your powerboat near a shoreline. What should you do to help prevent erosion?
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Responsible boaters use cleaning products that won't harm lakes or rivers. Which product is a responsible choice for cleaning your boat?
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What is the likelihood of drowning for paddlers in small boats (such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts)? (Compare paddlers to other boaters.)
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What should you do when approaching a low-head dam in a canoe or kayak?
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Who is responsible for performing the pre-departure check of a recreational boat?
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Who is responsible for reviewing a pre-departure checklist before a boat outing?
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You are towing a skier behind your boat. Which of these is a safety precaution you should take?
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You fall when skiing behind a boat. What should you do to help the boat operator spot you more quickly?
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Study Notes
Safe Practices for PWC
- Safe action includes seating two passengers behind the operator on a PWC rated for three.
Accident Reporting
- Vessel operators must report accidents by the quickest means if property damage exceeds $2,000.
PWC Operation Age
- Minimum age for operating a PWC unsupervised with boater education certification is 13 years.
Intoxication Standards
- In Texas, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater indicates operation while intoxicated (BWI).
Navigation Lights Requirement
- Vessel operators are required to use navigation lights during periods of restricted visibility.
Life Jacket Requirements
- All vessels must have one life jacket per person; vessels 16 feet or longer must also carry one Type IV (throwable) PFD.
Child Safety Regulations
- Children under 13 years must wear a USCG-approved PFD on vessels less than 26 feet long.
Vessel Documentation
- The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers.
Minimum Distance from Other Vessels
- When operating at speeds greater than headway speed, PWCs must maintain at least 50 feet distance from other boats or PWCs.
PWC Capacity for Towing
- A PWC used for towing a skier with an observer on board must be rated to carry three people.
Proximity to U.S. Navy Boats
- A minimum distance of 100 yards must be maintained from U.S. Navy vessels.
Symptoms Confused with Poisoning
- Seasickness is often mistaken for early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning.
HELP Position
- Assuming the HELP position when stranded in water helps reduce heat loss.
Response to Grounding
- The first action after running aground at high speed is to ensure no one is injured.
Rescuing Overboard Passengers
- Passengers who fall overboard should be pulled on board over the stern with the engine turned off.
Fire Safety
- Paper fires can be safely extinguished using water.
Alcohol Impairment
- For most individuals, just one alcoholic drink can impair judgment and physical reaction time.
Hydration in Warm Weather
- To minimize dehydration, drink some water every 15-20 minutes while boating in warm weather.
PFD Maintenance
- A PFD with a tear in the outer fabric should be replaced.
Checking PFD Buoyancy
- The best way to test PFD buoyancy is to wear it in shallow water or a swimming pool.
Storm Response
- When caught in a storm, reduce speed and head into the waves at a 45-degree angle.
Diver-Down Flag
- A diver-down flag features a red background with a white diagonal stripe.
Passing Fishing Boats
- When passing a fishing boat, do so with minimum wake and ensure distance from fishing lines.
Preventing Erosion
- To help prevent erosion, operate powerboats at no wake speed near shorelines.
Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Products
- Use non-phosphate detergents for cleaning boats to protect lakes and rivers.
Drowning Risks for Paddlers
- Paddlers in small boats are over twice as likely to drown compared to other boaters.
Low-Head Dam Precaution
- When approaching a low-head dam in a canoe or kayak, carry your craft around the dam.
Pre-Departure Check Responsibility
- The boat operator is responsible for performing the pre-departure check.
Pre-Departure Checklist Review
- The boat operator must review the pre-departure checklist before any boat outing.
Safety While Towing a Skier
- When towing a skier, avoid crowded areas such as beaches, docks, and swimming zones.
Assisting with Visibility After a Fall
- To help the boat operator spot you quickly after a fall while skiing, hold a ski up above the water.
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Description
Test your knowledge on safe practices for Personal Watercraft (PWC) operation, including age requirements, life jacket regulations, and navigation laws. This quiz covers essential safety protocols to ensure a safe boating experience. Make sure you know the rules to keep yourself and others safe on the water.
